Spotlight on Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin: Q&A with Director Catrina Dierke

Future leaders at work! Kids from the Clubs having a blast during an enrichment program. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin play a vital role in our community by offering a safe and supportive space for local youth, while also providing peace of mind for working parents. Through enriching after-school programs, they help shape the next generation by fostering academic success, leadership skills, and personal growth. To get a closer look at the impact Boys & Girls Clubs are having in Healdsburg and beyond, we spoke with Catrina Dierke, Director of Grant Writing & Administration, about their progress, challenges, and what's next for the organization.

How has Healdsburg Forever’s grant helped support your programs and the families you serve?

The support from Healdsburg Forever has been instrumental in ensuring that our after-school programs remain accessible to local families, particularly those who need it most. Thanks to the grant, we’ve been able to offer partial and full scholarships, which significantly reduce the cost of our Healdsburg programs for families in need. This affordability is a huge relief for working parents who rely on us for a safe and engaging space for their children after school. Additionally, the grant has helped us cover some of our operational costs, allowing us to focus on improving our programs rather than worrying about finances.

What progress and successes have you seen in your programs over the past year?

We’ve had an exciting year of growth and innovation! One of our key successes has been expanding our programs to include more STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) instruction and experiential field trips. We know how important it is to provide educational enrichment beyond the classroom, and these additions have been well-received by both kids and parents. We also launched a teen program here in Healdsburg, which has been an incredible opportunity to engage older youth and prepare them for the future. Our goal is always to create an environment where kids are not only safe but also learning and growing.

What challenges are you currently facing, and how are you addressing them?

Like many organizations, we’re constantly adapting to meet the evolving needs of the kids and families we serve. One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced recently is understanding and addressing the economic and social stresses our families are experiencing. Many of our members come from low-income households, and the lingering effects of school closures during the pandemic have added another layer of difficulty. We’re also navigating challenges related to our Healdsburg facility, which is in need of significant remodeling to better accommodate our programs. 

Q4: What’s ahead for Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, particularly in Healdsburg?

We have some exciting plans on the horizon. We’re preparing to remodel our Healdsburg Clubhouse, which was the original site when Boys & Girls Clubs first opened here. The facility is in need of updates to better serve today’s youth, and we’re thrilled to be moving forward with this project. We hope to start construction in 2025, and while the current building will be closed for about 18 months, we believe we’ve found a temporary location to keep our programs running smoothly. We’re also focused on continuing to expand our programming, especially for high school teens, so we can provide even more opportunities for growth and success.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin and their programs, visit their website at bgcsonoma-marin.org.