When Westwood Elementary School closed following the March 31st fire, families in St. Cloud were suddenly faced with a difficult question: where would their children go while the building was cleaned, tested and made safe again? As District 742 shifted students into remote learning and worked through an intensive cleanup process, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota stepped up immediately to help fill the gap, opening emergency child care for Westwood families at the Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club from April 6 – 10, 2026. The Club provided a safe, caring place for youth throughout the day and helped support students’ remote learning, giving families the consistency and stability they needed during an uncertain week.
Superintendent Laurie Putnam praised the community response, saying, “We have certainly made lemonade, thanks to our community.” She specifically highlighted the Boys & Girls Club for opening emergency child care services and providing child care for 94 registered (unduplicated) youth from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. so families had dependable support during the closure. A total of 293 duplicated youth were served throughout the week. Supt. Putnam’s words underscored what so many parents experienced firsthand: in a moment of disruption, community partners made sure children were still surrounded by care, structure and encouragement.
For Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, this response reflected its mission in action. When youth and families needed help fast, the Club was ready to do what it has always done best: open its doors, meet urgent needs and create a safe place where kids can keep learning and growing. In the middle of a crisis, the Club did more than provide supervision. It offered reassurance, routine and relief for working families navigating an unexpected disruption. That kind of rapid, compassionate response is only possible because donors invest in strong community organizations that are prepared to serve when children need them most.
“The Boys & Girls Club is here in our community to do whatever it takes for kids,” said Mary Swingle, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Club. “We were honored to partner with Dist. 742 to provide consistent care, stability and support for youth and families during the Westwood closure.”