MISSION

TO INSPIRE AND ENABLE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM DISADVANTAGED CIRCUMSTANCES, TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS RESPONSIBLE, PRODUCTIVE AND CARING CITIZENS.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
(940) 322-2012
FAX NUMBER: - (940) 767-5530
ATHLETICS - (940) 761-4134

Memberships

Memberships are $12.00 per year for any boy or girl between the age of six and eighteen. This represents a small percentage of the Actual cost . (see below) A membership is accepted at all eight Club locations. A birth certificate will be requested to verify the ages of six year olds.

ACTUAL MEMBERSHIP COSTS

The actual business cost of a single youth membership is more than $300. The cost difference is provided by support of the United Way, Back-A-Camper Campaign, Government Grants, Sponsorships, Earned Income, Corporate Gifts and Private Donations.

YOUTH MEMBERSHIP CARD POLICY

All members are required to have their membership cards in their possession when they attend a Club.

MEMBERSHIPS CARDS ARE USED FOR IDENTIFICATION, PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES, CHECKING OUT GAMES AND EQUIPMENT, BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT AND TO TEACH RESPONSIBILITY.

Replacement cards are available for $1.00 at all Clubs.

SWIMMING POOL

CENTRAL BRANCH

A Red Cross Certified Lifeguard is on duty in the swimming pool and individual lockers are provided for each swimmer at no extra charge. Members must provide their own swimsuits and towels.

Memberships cards are required in order to use the swimming pool

SWIM LESSONS AND RECREATIONAL SWIMMING will be offered during the School year.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

YOU ARE WELCOME in our facilities at any time. We encourage you to be involved in your child's Club experience. We welcome your comments, concerns and questions. Your first point of contact is with your Club's Branch Director.

CAMP GRAHAM BALL

The purpose of the Boys & Girls Clubs' resident camping program is to provide a creative, outdoor educational experience. Our camp program creates an atmosphere where children learn to live, work and play together while making friends from around the Wichita Falls area. There is no fee to attend our camp. Members must earn their privilege to attend camp. This is accomplished through participation in club programs, community service and educational achievements. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls camp program is held during the summer months. There are six one-week sessions of camp, three for boys and three for girls ages 7 through 12. Camp Graham Ball is located in Archer County adjacent to Lake Kickapoo. The 147 acre camp facility includes a full size dining hall & kitchen, six air conditioned brick cabins, Olympic size swimming pool, a two acre lake with a floating dock, playground, Picnic Pavilion and archery range.

CAMP PROGRAM BROCHURES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

YOUTH ATHLETICS

TACKLE FOOTBALL (BOYS & GIRLS)
CHEERLEADING
JUNIOR VARSITY LEAGUE - 1ST & 2ND grades
AMERICAN LEAGUE - 3RD & 4TH grades
NATIONAL LEAGUE - 5TH & 6TH grades

BASKETBALL
Separate Boys & Girls Leagues: Ages 6 - 15
VOLLEYBALL 
Girls Only Leagues: Ages: 9-18

CONTACT: ATHLETIC DIRECTORS MIKE AYERS & AMY BRANDT 761-4134

Computers

All eight branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls are equipped with technology centers that are available to members during all hours of operation. Members are able to use the computers to access information through the Internet. The use of the Internet is vital to all students for completion of required school assignments.

NetSmartz

The objective of NetSmartz is to educate both children and adults on how to recognize dangerous situations online and what to do when they occur. Increase dialogue among Club staff, parents and Club members is crucial. A key component to the program is encouraging honest communication at the Club and within families about the activities of children and teens on the Web. By taking an active role in what young people see and who they talk to online, Club professionals, parents and other involved adults can help them make smarter choices.

SkillTech

SkillTech's approach to technology learning does not follow classroom techniques. Rather, it is designed to engage Club members in hands-on, theme based activities. As members complete the activities, they will learn new skills and build confidence in their ability to use technology. The SkillTech activities are also designed to promote social interaction and avoid the possibility of members becoming isolated through their computer use. Each lesson begins with a warm-up, group activity, followed by activities that members can complete on their own or with a partner. The activities encourage emotional development by emphasizing responsibility and respect both for peers and for the equipment in the technology center.

Global Chalkboard

The Global Chalkboard Web Library is a quick resource to web sites that have been reviewed for plan development. The Chalkboard is custom designed to meet the specific needs of the organization. The Chalkboard can have a variety of subcategories that can focus on web sites that address a very specific information request. Education staff can develop their own lesson plans that allow members access at any time.

OPEN DOOR POLICY

The Boys & Girls Clubs have an open door policy and do not provide day care services. Members can stay an hour or all day and may enter or leave the Club throughout the day.

IT IS THE PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE THE CHILD INSTRUCTIONS TO STAY AT THE CLUB UNTIL IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO BE PICKED UP OR LEAVE FOR HOME.

LATE FEE POLICY

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATIONAL HOURS AND TO SEE THEIR CHILD IS PICKED UP BY CLOSING TIME OR SHORTLY AFTER.

A minimum of $5.00 will be assessed for any child not picked up by Closing time during the school year.

The City of Wichita Falls has wonderful parks with facilities for activities including: picnicking, outdoor cooking, hiking, biking, basketball, football, softball, baseball, tennis, fishing, disk golf, swimming, model airplane flying and more.

Many of the parks also feature outdoor shelters, fun-filled playground equipment, lake access and an enjoyable viewing area of a "prairie dog town."

Ben Donnell Park, located at Wichita & Calhoun is a 1.68 acre park with the following amenities:

• Benches (wood) 2
• Bench (wood) (glider) 1
• Park sign 1
• Picnic area 1
• Picnic shelter (small) with 2 coated tables 1
• Play apparatus with sand base 1
• Playground equipment
• Swing (small-2-baby-2-belt) 1
• Trash receptacles (barrel) 1
• Adjacent to the Big Wichita River
• Northeast Boys & Girls Club
• Paul  Irwin Activity Center

• FSS Program
• FSS Interest Form
• FSS / ROSS Brochure
• ROSS Program

The goal of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is to assist participants in improving their education and job skills for the purpose of becoming gainfully employed. This is accomplished by encouraging additional education, job training, and more.

FSS program works specifically with the head-of- household. The FSS program is strictly voluntary; therefore, only those who are truly motivated to work towards self-sufficiency should apply.

Requirements of the FSS Program:

• Must be willing to sign a 5-year Contract of Participation
• Must be willing to establish goals and actively pursue them
• Must be willing to attend mandatory classes as directed
• Must be willing to seek and maintain full-time employment

Services and Referrals Offered Include:

• Job Readiness Classes
• Continuing Education
• Budgeting Classes
• Credit Classes
• Job Interviewing & Resume
• Homeownership
• And more

Escrow Account Contribution
Participants who have an increase in earned income while on the FSS program could be eligible to establish an escrow account. This is an interest-bearing savings account that receives monthly contributions based on the tenant’s rent increase. This account is established as an incentive for those who complete their goals and graduate the FSS program. Upon successful completion of the FSS program, this money could be yours!

For more information about the FSS Program please contact Alison Duncan at (940)687-9906 or alison@wfha.com.

Resident Opportunities for Self Sufficiency

What is the ROSS Program: The ROSS Program is designed to help Public Housing residents to overcome barriers and gain self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency is different for each person, but it is attainable for all. The ROSS Coordinator will work with each client, one-on-one, to help the client decide what self-sufficiency looks like for him or her and how the ROSS Coordinator can help the client in getting there.

Who is eligible to participate in the ROSS Program: The ROSS Program is open to all WFHA residents, no matter age, or limitations. The only requirement to be a participant of the ROSS program is to be a resident of the Wichita Falls Housing Authority.

Services Available through the ROSS Program: The ROSS Program is here to assist WFHA residents in many ways. Some of these services include:

• Employment assistance
• One-on-one sessions to help create resumes, job search, etc.
• Job Fairs/Hiring Events/ connections to hiring agencies
• Improvement of Education
• One-on-one sessions to work on educational goals
• GED classes offered, on site
• Assistance with College applications
• Assistance with Financial Aid application
• Transportation (limited time)
• Bus Tickets to and from work
• Taxi services available for school/work time outside of traditional bus route schedule
• Childcare assistance (limited time)
• Can pay for childcare for 30 days for work
• Can help connect you to more long term payment options
• Financial Literacy
• One-on-one classes to help put together budget and help manage finances
• Monthly meetings to explain lease and WFHA late payment process
• Health and Fitness
• Sit-N-Fit class held EVERY Monday (Entire exercise class held in seated position)
• Zumba and yoga classes offered EVERY Tuesday and Thursday
• Healthy Cooking classes offered every month
• Parenting Skills
• Muffins with Moms/Donuts with Dads held each month
• Participants are able to shop in “Clothing Closet”
• Youth Services
• Many youth clubs, usually held during summer months
• Clubs include education, art, leadership, life skills & more!
• Community Service Requirement
• Most ROSS activities count as community service
• Each month, the ROSS Program hosts a “Community Service Refresher”, which goes over Community service requirements and highlights opportunities for residents to complete their community service requirement.
• Social activities for residents 50+
• Join us, each month, for “Seasoned Resident’s Club” where we have a social activity and a guest speaker!

…..and much more!  We are also open to your suggestions

Collaborations: One of the roles of the ROSS Program is to bring in services from the community and help connect residents to area resources. The ROSS Program collaborates with many agencies and businesses including, but not limited to:

Falls Ride, Fort Sill National Bank, Hospice of Wichita Falls, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas,  Midwestern State University, Texas Department of Transportation, TX Health Steps/STAR Kids, Vernon College, Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, Wichita Falls Independent School District, Wichita Falls Wichita County Public Health District, Wichita Star Taxi, Workforce Solutions & more! These agencies and many more are available to provide services to our residents. Agency professionals donate their time to the residents of the Housing Authority, due to our continued partnerships.

How can I enroll in the ROSS Program: To enroll in ROSS is quite easy. Please complete a ROSS Intake form and schedule an appointment with the ROSS Coordinator, Paris Ward, 940-687-2450, paris@wfha.com 

Visit Paris and let’s get on the road to a more self-sufficient You!