Ever since the Boys and Girls Club left the city of Taft, there has been a need for youth programs.
A necessity the nonprofit, Friends of The City of Taft is working to fill with their Get out and Play youth initiative.
Organizers say their focus is to create affordable options. They say 9 out 10, parents do not register their kids because of high registration fees.
Their first program is the NFL Flag Football League. Chairman Ryan Trevino says since it is sponsored by the NFL, parents only pay $25 in registration fees.
“The NFL sends us the balls, the bells, the jerseys,” says Chairman Ryan Trevino.
They currently have 60 kids ages 6 to 13 in programs.
The non-profit also created a scholarship fund for parents who cannot afford the fees or have multiple children.
“There are 17 kinds under the get out and play scholarship, that number is expected to increase by the time we do basketball,” says Trevino.
The scholarship grants parents up to $250 in registration fees per child, it is also renewable and is available for any program in town.
“Cover a registration fee for a son four times, we’ll cover the registration fees for a daughter four times in a calendar year,” says Trevino.
Depending on funding, they also help surrounding cities.
“Ten kids out of Refugio who are also covered by the get out and play scholarship,” says Trevino.
For more information on the scholarship program or to become a sponsor contact Ryan Trevino at 361-929-6134, e-mail friendsoftaft.parks@gmail.com, or visit the facebook page.
