FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The Fairhope-Point Clear Rotary Youth Club completed its first week of operation this week.

The facility, located at 19128 S. Young St., was formerly operated by Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama which is affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. However, that organization made the decision to cut back on support for the three Baldwin County clubs when the national economic downturn adversely affected their funding.

Mayor Tim Kant met with the City Council and stakeholders in Fairhope to find an alternative solution. Kant said council members and local residents were in agreement on developing a new youth club, and the council approved it.

“We had been looking at the issue since November,” Kant said. “We want to take care of our young people in the community.”

Charles Durgin, a city employee in the Water and Sewer Department, was appointed club director by the new club’s board of directors. The 501(c)3 organization will offer services to students from age 6 to 18.

“Working with kids has been my passion,” Durgin, 39, said. “I have always enjoyed trying to help kids get on the right path.”

Durgin’s salary will be funded by the city.

The other five staff members for the newly reorganized club will work part-time and were part of the staff under the former club administration. Their salaries will be paid for from the $1,900 a month cigarette tax revenue that used to go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mobile.

According to Durgin, the new program has advantages over the Boys and Girls Club.

“This new program is much more community-oriented than the Boys and Girls Club because it is more local,” he said. “We have a great staff, and they are all doing more than what they are getting paid for.”

Durgan said he has many activities planned for the summer and even into the school year for club participants. For the summer, he plans for the kids to meet with members of law enforcement to talk about drugs, bullies and crime. He also has a nutrition program to help kids understand the importance of eating a balanced diet. There will be a time for arts and crafts everyday, and the club will also have a coed baseball team. Also, Durgin said he wants the kids to read 20 minutes per day.

“The whole thing is based on literacy,” he said. “We want to help students with their life skills in all areas.”

Special attention will be directed toward teenagers. Durgin said he will ask them to lead the younger kids at the camps so they can understand leadership roles and hone those skills. He also plans to hold a teen night every Wednesday at the facility where they can come in and discuss anything with anybody there.

The club membership fee has been prorated to $10 for June through December. The summer program fee is $50 per child for June and $50 for July. However, Kant has said that he will work to make sure the city helps pay for any kid whose parents cannot afford that fee.

Durgin and Kant both say they are very excited about the community involvement in the city. Kant said he is hopes that every kid in Fairhope can feel involved in some way. He also said the city should work to help every child graduate high school.

“We have a very active board and community,” he said. “I will work hard to keep our community involved with our children.”

The club’s board of directors includes: President Ronnie Langham, Vice President Ed Brinson, Secretary Angie Bracy, Treasure Patsy C. Quaites, board member Elma Agee, Valrie Chaney, Walter Woodrow, Thomas Richardson, Valrie Chaney, Arthur C. Tonsmeire, III, Tom Lott, Dr. Gene Brabston DMD, Carmen Quaites and Willie J. Williams II.

To volunteer at the club, or to make a donation, call the club at 928-9148, or e-mail: fairhopepointclearyouthclub@hotmail.com.