LEAP after-school program receives new grant

In a town with no malls, arcades or movie theaters, it’s easy to see why teenagers in Bigfork complain of having nothing to do.

Armed with a new grant from the juvenile justice department of Flathead County, Cathy Gaiser hopes to change that.

Gaiser, the director of the Bigfork LEAP program, recently learned that her organization was selected as a recipient of the grant, which comes from the department’s prevention incentive funds. In receiving the grant, LEAP was recognized as an organization that could help reduce crime rates and provide community service opportunities for young people.

“We are very excited to get this funding,” Gaiser said.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect — a five-year grant the organization received back in 2007 is on the verge of expiring. The new grant will help sustain the program at its current level by adding about $20,000 to next year’s budget.

Participation fees account for only about 25 percent of LEAP’s total budget. The program depends on grants and donations to cover the remaining 75 percent.

Since fees are determined by each family’s ability to pay, the program is only able to charge about half of its participants.

“We don’t target low-income kids, but our goal is that every kid has access whether they can pay or not,” Gaiser said. “Consequently, we get a wide variety of kids, and I love it.”

The LEAP after-school program runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on regular school days and 2:10 p.m. to 6 p.m. on early-release days. During that time, students participate in a variety of enrichment activities, from art and dance instruction to tutoring and homework help. Each child also receives a nutritious afternoon snack.

Gaiser said the program also benefits parents who aren’t home at the end of the school day.

“It really does help working parents and unemployed parents who are out looking for jobs during the day,” Gaiser said.

About 70 kids per day, and 150 different kids per month, take advantage of the program, which is housed at Crossroads Christian Church.

Although the majority of current LEAP participants come from the elementary-school level, Gaiser plans to put some of the new grant money toward expanding the middle school program and starting a high school program.

To get older kids excited about LEAP, Gaiser said she will try to match activities to common teenage interests.

“It has to be what they’re interested in — whether it’s something social or maybe more career-oriented — because it’s not required,” Gaiser said.

As part of the high-school program, Gaiser is contemplating the possibility of hosting post-game parties after home athletic events.

“Statistics show that’s one of the most vulnerable times for drinking and partying,” Gaiser said. “So hopefully we’ll be able to give them a healthy alternative.”

The middle school and high school after-school programs will be housed at the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre building, which is within walking distance of the school, Gaiser said.

She plans to incorporate some community service projects in the activities schedule, which she hopes will help foster a sense of community pride among Bigfork’s youth.

“Kids that vandalize obviously don’t have a sense of ownership about the town, so if they are involved in community service, it will help them take pride in their community,” Gaiser said.

Gaiser also wants to get more high school kids involved in the LEAP mentoring program, which pairs elementary-age LEAP participants with adult and high-school-age mentors. The program currently has about 40 volunteers who engage in one-on-one mentoring activities each Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the school year.

“It has been huge,” Gaiser said. “The kids look forward to Friday like you wouldn’t believe.”

She said she also hopes the high school program will help cut youth crime rates by giving Bigfork teens something constructive to do in their free time.

“There are no police in Bigfork, so having a low crime rate doesn’t necessarily mean kids aren’t getting in trouble — they’re just not getting caught,” Gaiser said.

Summer programs

LEAP will hold a series of youth summer camps with a variety of themes, including gymnastics, space exploration, survival, volcanoes, kayaking and rodeo.

Camp costs range from $40 to $100, but children who are eligible for free or reduced lunch can attend camps free of charge.

LEAP is also hosting a summer food service program from June 3 through August 19. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at two locations: Crossroads Christian Church and the Bigfork Children’s Playhouse Theatre building behind the Bigfork fire hall.

The meals are free to all children age 18 and under. No sign-up is required.

Wine fundraiser

Raffle tickets for LEAP’s “Wall of Wine” fundraiser will be sold throughout the summer at The Jug Tree in downtown Bigfork.

“This (fundraiser) is instrumental to our summer efforts,” said LEAP board member Debbie Corder.

The “wall” is a rack of 100 bottles of premium wine located at The Jug Tree. The donated bottles are either purchased at the store or brought in by local residents.

The winner of the August 11 drawing will take home the entire rack.

“It’s like an instant wine cellar,” Corder said.

Tickets are $5 apiece, $25 for six or $100 for 25. All proceeds go directly to LEAP. Tickets are available at a variety of locations marked with special green signs. They can also be purchased by contacting LEAP by email at bigforkleap@hotmail.com. 

For more information on LEAP programs or to learn how to donate or volunteer, call 837-5327 or visit www.bigforkleap.org.