Boys & Girls Clubs Launched Asheville Program
The nonprofit expanded after-school care to Woodfin Elementary on September 8.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Child Care
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On Sept. 8, 2026, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Asheville Region launched an after-school program at Woodfin Elementary School for kindergarten through fourth-grade students. This initiative is part of an effort to address a shortage of care options for local families.
Why it matters
The program provides a safe, supportive environment that helps 96% of participating parents reduce stress regarding their child's safety and enables 92% of parents to better maintain or increase their work hours. It aims to bridge a gap for the nearly 664,000 children across North Carolina who lack access to after-school care.
The organization acquired a 36,000-square-foot facility at 150 Westwood Place for future use. Nationally, the network operates 5,500 clubs that serve 4 million youth each year.
The players
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Asheville Region
This nonprofit organization focuses on providing after-school and summer programming for youth in the local area.
Buncombe County Schools
This educational institution collaborates with community partners to host youth programs within its school facilities.
ARCA Design
This firm is leading the renovations to transform the newly acquired church property into a permanent clubhouse.
The details
The program collaborates with Buncombe County Schools to host activities where staff greet students, provide snacks, and perform check-ins. Additionally, the organization has purchased a former church property to develop into a permanent clubhouse while planning neighborhood-based programming for early 2027.
Timeline
The after-school program at Woodfin Elementary began on Sept. 8, 2026.
Neighborhood-based programming is scheduled to launch in early 2027.
Culture Shift
The expansion reflects a broader societal push for community-based childcare as families seek alternatives to address the statewide North Carolina shortage of afterschool programs. This trend highlights the growing reliance on non-profit infrastructure to support working parents and child safety outside of standard school hours.
Local families with children in kindergarten through fourth grade now have access to a structured after-school environment at Woodfin Elementary. Parents can expect organized activities and daily check-ins that may assist in balancing work schedules and childcare requirements.
The takeaway
Access to reliable after-school programs serves as a critical support system for working parents in the Asheville area. Implementing consistent daily routines for children helps ensure safety while allowing families to maintain their professional commitments.
What happens next
The organization plans to launch neighborhood-based programming at the Pisgah View Apartments in early 2027.
Further reading
For more information on regional initiatives, visit Asheville Child Care.
More information
Learn more about local programming at the Boys & Girls Clubs Asheville website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.
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