Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands builds new ‘safe space’

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands is breathing new life to an old space.

"It's been around since the beginning of the club opening and we needed something new and fresh for our teens," Elizabeth Donner, Boys and Girls Club chief development officer said. Donner said they're using their space at the Midlands Mount View club to build a new safe space room. It will have after school programs for kids of all ages to learn and connect.

"Everyday after school, there's thousands of kids that just go home," Donner said. "We want to ensure there are young people that know they have a place they can go to where there is caring adult and peers they can hang out with, get a hot meal, education and support." On Tuesday, the nonprofit worked with Aaron's to help bring in furniture and other new equipment to revamp the new space.

"Our club members had the opportunity to decide how they wanted this space to look so they got some spaces where they can chill and hang out," Donner said. "There's a massage chair [and] fun competition games like some basketball games." Kids will also get a new ice cream, popcorn, hot dog, and cotton candy machine to enjoy and use for their entrepreneurial spirit. "They're going to use these items to sell as part of our Keystone Club and use their entrepreneurial minds to raise some money," Donner said. While Donner sees their 'safe spaces' as a great way to help young people, she also sees it as a way to help the nonprofit's mission.

"Post COVID, it was a little bit of a challenge because I think teens got used to staying at home," Donner said. "So, we're like come back to the club and make sure you're getting back to this space." Michael Wall with Aaron's agreed.

"It's important because we want to show the teens that someone out there cares for them and that Aaron's cares for them," Wall said. "We want to make sure they have a safe space to go after school.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands plans to hold an unveiling of their new safe space Wednesday. If you have a kid that's interested in joining the club,.