It was a dream job for Jo Ann Maxwell. She accepted the position as director of the Gig Harbor branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puget Sound before it was even built. She watched the club materialize from the ground up and was there for the grand opening celebration.

Now, almost three years later, Maxwell has been caught up in a downsizing effort that has swept the country like wildfire the past few years.

“About 33 jobs were affected, and between six and eight were eliminated,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell’s job is one of them.

Mark Starnes, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, said in a news release that the clubs are responding to the difficult economy like other organizations.

“Six branch director positions were restructured to create three new area branch director positions,” Starnes said in the release.

Maxwell said one director will handle both the Gig Harbor and Port Orchard branches of the club.

Maxwell has fond memories and has seen the club grow in leaps and bounds.

“We opened the door with 12 kids, and we’ve seen over 1,400 come through,” she said. “On any given day, we’ll see about 150 kids. That’s huge. We’re a brand new program in an area that was never served before.”

Maxwell said she’s enjoyed meeting parents and getting involved with outreach programs and marketing.

“It’s been fun working with the community, collaborators and the school district,” she said. “We started from zero. The numbers are great, but the individual stories are more important. Stories about kids finding a safe place, getting to interact with adults and getting their homework done.”

Volunteers help students with their homework at the club’s homework room. Maxwell is a volunteer and said it’s rewarding to watch the students’ reading level improve.

“It’s about knowing that we’re connecting with teachers and parents and giving children skills they need to be successful,” she said. “That’s one of our success stories. We have at least four volunteers that work in the homework room.”

Besides the opportunities created for youths, the senior center has been a popular place as well.

“A lot of seniors have relocated here to be with family,” Maxwell said. “The most important thing is for them to have a place to socialize and meet new friends.”

Maxwell said it has been rewarding over the years to watch staff members come together and work as a team.

“I have seen them become creative and become leaders among themselves,” she said. “They have been empowered to think outside the box and do all the things they can do to make the kids be all they can be.”

“BGCSPS is grateful for the contributions by Jo Ann Maxwell during her time with the organization, in particular with the Jim and Carolyn Milgard Family HOPE Center and the Cheney Family Boys and Girls Clubs,” Stearns stated in the news release.

Maxwell will leave the club at the end of the year.



Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.