Sarnia council has referred concerns over a lack of safe transportation to an after school program at BGC Sarnia-Lambton [formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club] to the Transit Committee for discussion.
Executive Director Jaylene Henry said they've been working for the past two years to find a solution for students from London Road Public School and PE McGibbon Public School to travel to their site at the Lochiel Kiwanis Centre, but haven't had success.
"Over the last year, we've experienced a number of incidents involving staff, students and children on the walk from London Road to BGC, with the most recent incident being on March 4, where two of our children were grabbed by an unknown woman," said Henry.
Henry said racial slurs have been yelled at staff and students, they've been intimidated by individuals and even confronted verbally.
"Our children are coming back to the club crying, and you can imagine how the parents and staff are feeling as well. We currently have 20 children on the walk from London Road in need of safe transportation to an after school program. We are in the process of collecting additional data from PE McGibbon, however so far we have an 83 per cent response rate of parents needing after school care for their children, who would choose to come to BGC, should safe transportation be available," she said.
Henry said providing a safe and supportive program to children and youth allows parents and guardians an opportunity to find employment, overcome barriers and build positive relationships.
Henry noted they've already reached out to a number of service providers.
"These options were either not available, too expensive, or just not sustainable for a club our size," she said. "The cheapest option we have found for our current transportation needs, would be to charter a Sarnia city bus at $180 per hour plus tax, and that was their non-profit rate."
Henry said the cost would add up to just over $1000 per week, or just under $40,000 annually.
She asked council to consider adding bus stops closer to the schools, and approve more direct routes so students wouldn't need transfers.
Engineering and Operations General Manager David Jackson said providing the dedicated routes would be challenging.
"It would have significant impacts on the current routes and the passengers that are on those. There's no simple solution just to modify the routes," Jackson said.
When asked why they couldn't provide their after school program at the schools, Henry said other services provide care within the schools at a higher fee.
"I have contacted both of these schools to attempt to do this and we were told through CLASS, who rents out the school space, that we are unable to do that at this time," Henry said.
It's hoped the Transit Committee will be able to assist with a solution for the upcoming school year in September.
Councillor George Vandenberg seemed confident a recommendation could be presented at council's next meeting.
Mayor Mike Bradley hoped the Lambton Kent District School Board would also be included in the discussion.