Recently announced budget cuts for the Boys & Girls (B&G) Clubs of Metro Atlanta will not affect the local club’s staff or operating hours, according to Steve Hord, executive director of the Douglas County club.

The Douglas County club is one of 30 members of the B&G Clubs of Metro Atlanta. The local club was founded in 1982 and moved into its facility off Gurley Road in 1998.

“It’s business as usual for us,” Hord said about the local club, which will continue its ongoing summer program until July 24.

Alicia Burroughs, public relations director for the B&G Club of Metro Atlanta, said the organization’s funding from the United Way was cut July 1 by $775,000, or 25 percent of the $3.1 million it received from the United Way the previous fiscal year.

“We understand that the economy is cutting the amount that people are able to donate, and that United Way is doing its best to allocate funding to do the most good,” Burroughs said.

This cut paired with endowment shortfalls of $1.25 million has necessitated a $2 million budget cut by the B&G Club of Metro Atlanta.

Hord said this news is no surprise, because “the economy is in the tank for everybody.”

Burroughs said no jobs have been cut by the B&G Club in Douglasville, and most of the reported 12 percent of full-time staff members laid off worked at the general support office in downtown Atlanta and not at its 30 clubs.

In addition to these cuts, Burroughs said all full-time staff will receive a 5 percent reduction in salaries effective July 1.

“Our priority is to serve our children and families to the best of our abilities and resources and not to reduce the services we provide to our children,” Burroughs said. “In addition, we are committed to protecting the integrity of our programs and have made operational cuts and decisions to minimize any change in the services we provide to our club members.”

The 30 metro area B&G Clubs serve more than 17,000 children and teens, with an estimated 75 percent coming from lower income families and 70 percent living in single-parent households.

According to Burroughs, it costs the organization nearly $1,000 to put one child through a full school-year program.

“Now more than ever, the 17,000 children and families we serve need as much support as possible from our individual investors and corporate partners,” Burroughs said. “No contribution is too small and all contributions will make a difference in a child’s life.”

To donate, visit www.bgcma.org or call 404-527-7486