BRANDON — Each afternoon in Brandon, Fla., more than 1,000 young persons have time on their hands at home—alone. It’s a dangerous ingredient for unhealthy opportunities, and First United Methodist Church here is carving out a slice of its turf to offset this predicament.

The church has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club, a national non-profit organization, to build a youth center and gymnasium on its property. The building will serve as a summer and after-school weekday home to a chunk of the more than 5,000 school-age children who do not participate in other after-school programs

The church and the club broke ground March 7 on the 13,700-square-foot building, with local dignitaries and community representatives in attendance and a middle school marching band adding to the festivities. The building is slated for completion by August when the after-school program begins.

Club members will participate in tutoring, homework assistance, educational enhancement opportunities, computer labs, art programs, sports, career development and leadership activities. The church will offer some Bible studies as part of the mix of programs.

“Through this partnership, we have developed some really good relationships with the community and community leaders,” said the Rev. Clarke Edwards, senior pastor of First Church. “The Boys & Girls Club is very open to the church working alongside these children and youth. Our hope and prayer is that there will be a spiritual influence as we get to know them. Our hope is that it will be a bridge to the community from the church and that these people will see that we truly are interested in them and their concerns.”

According to the club’s research, more than 10 percent of teenagers in the Brandon area do not attend school or work. More than 100 youth in the area neighboring the church are arrested each year.

In addition to providing $500,000 worth of land for the building, the church is funding a staff liaison for the program who will work alongside the club activities director. Meanwhile, the Brandon community has raised $1.2 million to date to cover the construction and equipment costs, which will total $2 million. The church plans on underwriting utility and maintenance costs for the building and will eventually solicit more funding from the community at large.

The partnership began approximately three years ago when club leaders approached the church. A board was formed, which includes several church members, to oversee the program’s development. The program’s leaders are studying a similar church-club partnership in Tampa as a model.

First Church averages about 750 individuals in attendance on Sundays, and about 100 youth are active. On the weekends the church will use the new building for its youth group and other programs.

“It’s a win-win situation all the way around,” Edwards said.