Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley easing back into things

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley reopened for child care in recent weeks, but President and CEO Quinton Egson said they're taking things slow to prevent coronavirus spread.

Egson said he's received countless calls from long-time volunteers inquiring about when they'll be able to come back and help out at the clubs. Volunteers are not allowed back yet, Egson said because he does not want to risk it. More people means a higher risk of potentially spreading the virus.

Youth sports, which are allowed with restrictions in Riverside County, are also a big part of the Boys & Girls Clubs. While Egson said bringing sports is in the plan, right now the clubs are focused on providing safe and successful child care.

“It’s imperative that sports come back for kids because sometimes that’s how kids build their character,” said Egson.

All the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley are open again for child care. But getting back to full operation during the era of coronavirus is a slow, steady process. 

“We’ll let kids shoot basketballs on their own, then we’ll sanitize those basketballs and let someone else use them. It’ll be individual things at first and then gradually we’ll move into group sports,” Egson said. 

Egson said outdoor competitive sports will likely come first. He says there’s no timeline set, but over the past six months, the kids have called him with some ideas...

“Kids are so creative and I can understand them wanting to play basketball, do boxing, karate. I receive phone calls and kids giving me different scenarios as to how we can do it safely, which we coudn’t do it safely,” he said.

Part of the process is just letting the community know that they are open. Which is why the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley are hosting grand reopening at the La Quinta club Friday with featured guest, Deputy D.A. Clara Levrault, a former club member and now board chairman

“Kids need some stability in their lives, something that’s familiar. Being that we’re opening, I think that’s a sign to kinds that things may be getting back to normal,” said Egson.

“I think it’s important to the whole community to have a place for your kids to go safely,” said Levrault.

The La Quinta Club has already filled up but other locations still have room for more kids.

“You know, we would love, in a perfect world, where COVID doesn’t exist, to fly open the doors and let all the kids in, but we want to take it slow to ensure the safety of every single kid and the family’s that they go home to,” Levrault said.

She said they are only filling the clubs with half the amount of kids they are allowed, to ensure all protocols are working effectively. They will then look to guidance from the CDC and county health officials for when to welcome more kids.

For more on each of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley, visit their website.