The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington announced in an April 8 press release that it will be closing four area clubs, including the Georgetown-area club, in an attempt to restructure the organization.The Frank R. Jelleff branch is among the clubs that will be shutting down at the end of the school year, according to Molly Boyle, vice president of communications for BGCGW. The other three clubs closing include the Hopkins branch on Capitol Hill, the Northwestern High School branch in Hyattsville and the Brent Place branch in Alexandria.”This plan gives us the ability to deliver enhanced programming to as many or more kids with a reduced budget. It puts BGCGW in a financial position to continue to meet its mission to provide high-quality youth development programming services to those who are most in need,” Kenneth Slaughter, BGCGW board chairman, said in the press release.According to the press release, the city is planning to purchase the building where the Jelleff branch is currently located, as is cited in the city’s 2010 capital budget.The strategic restructuring plan was created to provide better service to the D.C. community. In addition to selling and closing certain branches, BGCGW will be partnering with other organizations and schools and will reduce staff members by 10 percent.The organization is focusing on its core programming, which includes areas other than athletics that work on personal development.According to the press release, the majority of members used the Jelleff branch only for its athletic programs. The branch’s enrollment in core programs was not high enough to justify keeping it open; under 20 children enrolled in Jelleff’s core programs, according to the press release.”BGCGW core program areas are focused on the enrichment of the whole child, encouraging self-expression, teamwork and leadership,” the press release said.Over the past five years, the organization as a whole has been operating at a deficit, losing $5.7 million in 2008, according to the press release. This triggered the plan to restructure, and according to Boyle, the recent economic recession hastened that process. Although BGCGW received $1.025 million from the D.C. government last year, those funds have not been sufficient for the organization to keep operating at its current level.BGCGW is working with members of the closing clubs to ensure a smooth transition. According to Boyle, the organization will be transferring kids to other nearby clubs.”As BGCGW develops transition plans for members of the clubs involved in the restructuring, we will continue to engage and inform parents. We are committed to making the club transitions as safe, efficient and convenient as possible,” M.J. Morrow, the chief operating officer of BGCGW, said in the press release.”