Associated Press - April 9, 2009 9:15 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is planning to close four clubs and lay off staff to help cope with a $7 million budget deficit.

The large youth organization will close Frank W. Jelleff Branch in Georgetown, the Hopkins Branch on Capitol Hill, the Northwestern High School Branch in Hyattsville, Md., and Brent Place in Alexandria, Va.

It also plans to lay off 16% of its staff, impose 26-day furloughs and cut the pay of senior executives by 10%. In addition, the organization will sell 4 of its clubs.

The organization has been hurt by the recession, which has affected government and private donations. Membership at its 22 clubs has also dropped as students abandon civic organizations for video games, sports and other activities.

Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com

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