Impact - Boys & Girls Club Of Lawrence
ImpactNews from the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence“All the News That Fits We Print”Fall 2015BGCL Gives Back: Kids give grants to nonprofitsSince the Boys & Girls Club ofLawrence (BGCL) was founded in 1891,it has relied on generous donationsfrom individuals, corporations, andfoundations in order to provide criticalprograms focusing on academicsuccess, healthy lifestyles, andcommunity involvement.Through a recent grant from theNewton-based Highland StreetFoundation’s Youth PhilanthropyInitiative, it was the Club kids’ turn tobecome philanthropists.For 10 weeks, a team of eight kidsresearched local nonprofit organizationsand evaluated their missions, financialneeds, and impacts on the community.They presented grants totaling 5,000 tothree organizations: 2,000 to ElevatedThought for its Creative. Community.Change. (C3) program; 2,000 to theMSPCA at Nevins Farm for a freeparvovirus and rabies vaccination clinicfor dogs owned by Lawrence residents;and 1,000 to the Merrimack ValleyonWalkath Lat BGC thr 18Octobe1 pmAccording to BGCL Teen Director JodyRaineri, the program helped youthmembers develop an understanding ofhow nonprofits improve our society, aswell as effective nonprofit managementtechniques. After researching dozensof organizations, they evaluated formalpresentations from five finalists beforecollectively deciding how to allocate thefunding.“Giving youth the opportunity andthe responsibility to make choices thatimpact the life of another person canbe a very powerful lesson,” Jody says.“We all know that experience is the bestteacher, and this program helped ourmembers develop knowledge, insight,teamwork, and other life lessons thatwill serve them well in whichevercareers they ultimately pursue.”Steven T. says the group decidedto allocate the funds to multiplenonprofits, rather than a singleorganization, in order to make animpact on several societal issues.“Before this program, I knew thatpeople gave money to charities, but nowI know how the process works,” he says.iche publtOpen toYMCA to help fund the inauguralMerrimack Valley CORE 4 YouthLeadership Summit for area teens.136 Water Street Lawrence MA 01841 978-683-2747Beacon Club: 71 Duckett Avenue Lawrence MA 01843Beacon: 978-691-5167 www.lawrencebgc.com“It’s important for kids to understandthe issues in Lawrence, but also all thedifferent things people are doing tomake the city better.”Rosa R. says the donations to BGCLare even more meaningful now that shehas experienced the grant process. “Weknow the difference the Club makes inour lives, and for all the other kids,” shesays. “It’s inspiring to have the chance tohelp someone else.”Blake Jordan, executive director ofthe Highland Street Foundation, saysthe community cohesion that is sonecessary in our society can be foundwithin the nonprofit sector, yet anunderstanding of this sector remains amystery to many American youth.“The ultimate goal of our lessonplan,” he says, “is to perpetuate a civilsociety where young people worktogether to serve their communities,developing within themselves a lifelongcommitment to voluntary action for thecommon good.”
A Message from our Executive DirectorBack to School: Expanded partnerships, programsDear Friends:As another summer has come to a close, we look back at our seven-week, fun-filledsummer program that attracted more kids than ever before.The Club once again offered time-proven enrichment activities, as well as some excitingnew programs such as our Maker Camp that allowed youth to dive into engineeringprojects promoting creativity, problem-solving, and ingenuity. In addition, our NotreDame University summer interns offered daily high-yield learning activities thatwere very well received by our members. In fact, a number of community partnersagain helped us create a summer experience that provided hundreds of kids withopportunities to explore, create, learn, and have lots of fun.Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generous support ofa number of key supporters. We are grateful to the Betty Beland Greater LawrenceSummer Fund of the Essex County Community Foundation; Lawrence CulturalCouncil; New Balance Foundation; Long Family Charitable Foundation; Bulens FamilyFoundation; Agnes M. Lindsay Trust; Bruce Hauben and Joyce Brinton, through theHelen G. Hauben Foundation; John Petzold; and the Lawrence Housing Authority.On August 31, we reopened our doors after two weeks of clean-up and renovationsand welcomed back our youth members for the new school year. After a lot of work,the facilities are looking great and we are excited to start the new program year. Duringour recent staff planning retreat, we reviewed and assessed our program line-up anddesigned various improvements to further increase the effectiveness and impact ofour work. We are not taking for granted our latest excellent survey results from theNational Youth Outcomes Initiative, which the Boys & Girls Clubs of America conductsannually. It is truly encouraging to see that our Club continues to exceed state, regional,and national averages in nearly every category!As in recent school years, we are further expanding our partnership with the LawrencePublic Schools. Effective this September, we are serving up to 1,600 students weeklyfrom six different schools through our school day enrichment program. A significantnumber of these students from previous school years have turned into regular membersat our Club, which is one reason for the increased participation numbers in oursummer program, as well as our regular after-school program. This partnership hasbeen a great success, as it gives us the opportunity to reach so many more youth.With the start of the new program year, I would like to renew the invitation to ourfriends, supporters, and those who are newly interested to visit us here at the Club. Itwould be my privilege to show you first-hand and in detail how we change the lives ofLawrence youth every day through your generous support.Gratefully,Markus Fischer2 Boys & Girls Club of LawrenceFall 2015Our LeadershipBoard OfficersWilliam DeLuca, Jr., ChairmanGreg Serrao, PresidentMichael Feinman, Vice PresidentWilliam Shaheen, TreasurerLarry Yameen, Assistant TreasurerKevin McGovern, SecretaryThomas M. Burkardt, Past PresidentKey StaffMarkus Fischer, Executive DirectorBilly Robertson, Director of OperationsSteve Kelley, Associate DirectorJill Rodriguez, Beacon Unit DirectorStephanie Bryant, Volunteer Coordinator
Emerging Leaders: Celebrating kids of characterSteven T. has receivedhis third consecutivehonor from the Digital ArtsFestival.This summer, he wasselected as a nationalwinner for his entry,“Living Outside the Box,”in the 16-18 age groupof the graphic designcategory.After volunteering a combined 3,800 hours at BGCL andthroughout the community, the Keystone Club traveled tothe nonprofit Cape House this summer for a well-deservedweekend of rest and relaxation.Under the guidance of Teen Director Jody Raineri, theKeystoners have served as great role models by donatingblankets, clothing, and food to local charities and fundraisingfor walks benefiting BGCL and spinal cord injury research.We look forward to seeing what this year’s Keystone Club willachieve and contribute.In his ownwords.I really thank Phillips Academyfor giving me the summersession scholarship. At firstI was a little sad I would havesuch a short summer vacation,but by the end, I loved it andwas very grateful for the experience.I learned about psychology, got better at algebra andbasketball, and improved my score all three times I tookthe SAT prep test. I also learned how to organize my timeso I wasn’t stressed and I still had time at the end of theday to hang out with my friends and have fun.I can honestly say going to Phillips made me a betterperson. I met someone new every day, and now I havefriends all over the world. At first I thought they weren’tthe normal ones, but after we compared our cultures,I realized that I was the weird one to them. It’s cool wehave so many different beliefs and perspectives on life.Yankuel C., Class of 2018Steven, a junior at CentralCatholic High School,says his inspiration for theNational winner Steven T.entry is his desire to stepoutside his comfort zone in order to find out who he really isas a person and fully appreciate all that life has to offer.“I’m so glad I was able to be part of this program,” he says.“It helped me experience something that’s definitely not partof my normal routine.”The Digital Arts Festival is designed to expose youth to thearts through technology so they can explore and build theirtechnical skills, self-expression, and creative outlets forpersonal development.Steven traveled to San Diego from July 13-16 for a specialrecognition trip featuring educational and career-buildingactivities.Last year, he was recognized by the Digital Arts Festival asa regional winner for both his game “Stopping Bullying”and photo “Representing Diversity.” In 2013, Steven alsotraveled to San Diego as a national award winner for hisvideo “I Want to Be .”BGCL Technology Director Walter Velez says, “This isanother amazingopportunity forSteven to seewhat life is likeoutside Lawrence,as well as meetother students likehimself who havethe same talentand drive.”Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Fall 2015 3
Paying It Forward: Teen shares love of writingDuring all four years that he attendedCentral Catholic High School, StefanSpecian of Windham, N.H. was anactive volunteer at BGCL where hetutored Club kids in the educationcenter and participated in the MaristMentor Program. As a junior andsenior, he received the distinction ofbeing invited to serve as a youth leaderfor A Slice of Bread Loaf creativewriting workshop.Stefan enrolled last fall at McDanielCollege in Westminster, Md., but hischaritable endeavors didn’t end there.Rather, the 19-year-old volunteeredfour days a week throughout theschool year at the Boys & Girls Clubof Westminster. He also earned aGriswold-Zepp Award from McDanielin order to offer a two-week writingworkshop for Club kids this summer.Stefan says he encouraged participantstests. “Their enthusiasm and drive toimprove is fun to see.”to express themselves freely whiledeveloping different writing styles.The workshop also kept them focusedon educational activities duringthe summer, when learning loss isprevalent.“Some of the kids come in a little shy,and it’s nice to see them become moreconfident with writing and presenting,”says Stefan, noting that the workshopsprovide an opportunity to write for fun,rather than geared toward standardizedBoth at BGCL and Westminster, Stefanhas enjoyed helping youth memberswith their homework before playingbasketball and other sports with themafterward. In addition, Stefan – whois double-majoring in political scienceand international studies – recentlycompleted training to be a tutor in theschool’s writing center.“I miss being at BGCL, but it has beena great springboard to Westminsterwhere I’m a staff member in spirit who’screating my own writing programs,”says Stefan, who makes it a point duringschool vacations to visit BGCL and hismentee, Jason N., who was a secondgrader when they were matched sixyears ago. “I come in every day wantingto be there and looking for other areasthat I can help advance.”Youth Summit: Developing the next generation of community leadersFifteen year-old Manny S. was excitedand a little apprehensive when he wasselected as one of 15 BGCL members toattend the inaugural Merrimack ValleyCORE 4 Youth Leadership Summit.The event, which took place in Juneat YMCA Camp Nokomis in NewHampshire, also included the samenumber of youth leaders from hostMerrimack Valley YMCA, AndoverYouth Services, and North AndoverYouth and Recreation Services.“It can be hard when you’re pushedoutside your comfort zone, but it wasa very welcoming environment,” saysManny, a junior at Central CatholicHigh School. “It didn’t take long to getto know the other kids, and then it wasa lot easier for us to talk to one anotherabout the issues that concern us.”BGCL member Kiahvette G., asophomore at Notre Dame Cristo ReyHigh School, says she was inspiredby the message that leaders don’tnecessarily need to be front and center.“That’s important when there’s a4 Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Fall 2015problem in the community.”she says. “You need all kindsof people willing to take astand for something and to bewilling to help.”With funding from theMerrimack Valley YMCA,Essex County CommunityFoundation, Andover YouthCouncil, and Highland StreetFoundation, CORE 4 featured teambuilding exercises, problem-solvingactivities, leadership workshops, andgroup discussions about drug andalcohol abuse, bullying, peer pressure,and good decision-making. The keynoteaddress was presented by BGCL alumSocrates De La Cruz, Esq.BGCL Director of Operations BillyRobertson says the summit was a “verypowerful experience.”“The kids learned that even though theycome from different communities, theyface the same issues which have nothingto do with socioeconomics or the colorof their skin,” he says.The teens are staying connected viasocial media, and will meet throughoutthe year to implement service projectsand other positive changes theyenvision in the Merrimack Valley.Manny believes the summit should beimplemented as an annual event.“If you only stay with the kids youknow, you can get a little isolated,” henotes. “We had a lot of fun, but thesummit also gave us a chance to getfeedback from each other so we canmake our even communities better.”
Sharing my summer withthe youth of Lawrence:John McCready, Universityof Notre DameThis summer, I had the privilege totravel to New England to work with thekids at BGCL. What made it so specialwas that these kids come from and livein an environment that is so differentfrom the one in which I was raised, andI was reminded of that each day.Whether by bus or by car, the fourof us who worked at the Club woulddrive through Andover, a city of niceshops and a prep school attended bypresidents, to Lawrence, where autogarages, houses with chipped paint, andovergrown splotches of grass made itseem like a different world. This starkcontrast inspired us to do our best forthe kids at the Club who welcomed usso warmly and enthusiastically rightfrom the beginning.Coming into this Summer ServiceLearning Program through theUniversity of Notre Dame, I had neverworked so actively and directly withkids before and did not know what theday-to-day experience would be like.As the youngest child in my family, Ididn’t have the chance to interact oftenwith younger children. I was nervousI hope that what we did each day withthe kids – in the classroom, out onthe field, or at an amusement park– will be beneficial years down theroad. In a community where dismalsocioeconomic conditions may keepoverall spirits low, positive memoriesare powerful. If these kids can look backon their experience with us as a happyone, then that may be enough to givethem courage and hope.For the eighth year, University of NotreDame students volunteered during theClub’s seven-week summer program.Pictured with Club kids, from left toright, are Rory Burke, Erica Loberg,John McCready, and CJ Pulmano.I am certain that there is potentialfor success because I saw it in themevery day. I saw it in their focus andconcentration playing pool, in theirjoy chasing a soccer ball on the field, intheir intensity during a game of dodgeabout how I would be perceived and, asa result, the influence I would have.Although I came in with this tentativeapproach, I gained so much more as Istarted to open up more to the kids. Irealized that while I can learn a lot ina classroom setting, I can also learna great deal from them by just sittingdown and playing games.Their willingness to talk to me and tellme about their lives without knowingme for long surprised me, and made iteasier for me to connect with them. Themore comfortable I became, the more Ifelt that I was making a difference.ball, and in the moment of epiphanywhen they figured out how to solve apuzzle.With the right support and encouragement, the future for them, the Club, andthe city of Lawrence is bright.Welcome to BGCL: Assistant education director Jarad HarrisPlease join us in welcoming JaradHarris, our new assistant educationdirector.Jarad first joinedus as a Clubkid at age 7.With the Club’sassistance, heearned a fullscholarship toBrooks School,where he playedvarsity basketballall four years.Jarad earned abachelor’s degree in sociology and aminor in psychology from UMass Lowellin 2013, and is currently pursuinga master’s degree in rehabilitationcounseling at Assumption College.Previously, Jarad was a direct carecounselor in a teen group home, ateacher and basketball coach at theNativity School of Worcester forunderserved middle school boys, anda fourth grade paraprofessional atGuilmette Elementary School. For thepast year, he also worked in BGCL’ssummer enrichment program, as wellas the New Balance Healthy Living Clubduring the school year.Jarad credits Operations Director BillyRobertson, Associate Director SteveKelley, and Program Services DirectorManny Ayala with being “father figureswho helped me with discipline, makingthe right decisions, and becoming opento learning new things and meeting newpeople.”“I want the kids to be able to see arole model who looks like them, sothey’ll understand that they can also besuccessful by setting goals and strivingfor academic excellence,” Jarad says.“I’m excited to give back to the placethat gave so much to me.”Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Fall 2015 5
AlumniCelebrating 35 Years: ABA alumni reception reunites playersNotes.‘13 Saddan Genao Lizardo, a juniorat Dennison University, interned atArchelon, the Sea Turtle ProtectionSociety of Greece in Crete.‘73 Kevin Bartlett was inducted intothe Central Catholic High SchoolHall of Fame.Alumni: If you have news toshare, please e-mail Sarah Hogue atshogue@lawrencebgc.com.Stay connected! Register as an alumon the BGCL’s website atwww.lawrencebgc.com.Tom Sipsey, pictured in the center withhis parents, was inducted into the ABAHall of Fame. He has been involvedwith ABA for 18 years.Nearly 100 alumni gathered at the BlueLine Club in the Volpe Athletic Centerof Merrimack College on July 24 toreminisce, share stories, and celebratethe 35th anniversary of AcademicBasketball Awareness (ABA) Camp.A special basketball was presented toABA Camp founder Bert Hammel, headmen’s basketball coach at MerrimackCollege which hosts the camps heldevery July for 150 boys and 75 girls. Inaddition, senior division coach TomSipsey – who has been involved withABA as a Club kid, Merrimack player,and coach for 18 years – was inductedinto the ABA Hall of Fame.Alumni players and coaches inattendance included Joshua Abreu,Eddie Colon, Walson Constant,Socrates De La Cruz, Elliot Fontaine,Carlos Genao, Lucas Hammel, AlexHernandez, Joshua Jerez, OlatungieLightfoot-Taylor, Max Lopez, HectorMancebo, Jason Martinez, StevieMartinez, Willis Martinez, JohnMcVeigh, Troy Medeiros, JohnMiller, Rafael Morales, WanderMorel, Rick Nault, Radhames Nova,Carlos Nunez, Raymond Nunez, JackO’Brien, Rolando Ortiz, Ernesto Perez,Andrew Ramirez, Angel Santiago,Chris Sullivan, Chris Vasquez, LennyVasquez, Rorlando Vasquez, Alex Vega,Wilkins Victor, Tommy West, and ZachZegarowski.Club staff included Markus Fischer,Billy Robertson, Steve Kelley, MannyAyala, and Karen Kravchuk.ABA Camp: A special homecomingEach summer, our ABA campers are treated to guest speakers who inspirethem with personal stories of hard work, perseverance, education, andhope.This year, they heard from one of their own.Milwaukee Bucks point guard Michael Carter-Williams, the 2014 NBARookie of the Year, is a native of Hamilton, Mass. who attended ABACamp for seven years as a member of a local boys and girls club.As 150 BGCL campers literally looked up to the 6’6” pro, Michaeldescribed how his rigorous daily practices and dedication to improvementwere rewarded. Michael was a first-round draft pick and he was namedPlayer of the Week in his first week with the NBA.The 23-year-old says he welcomed the opportunity to return to his ABA family, where he enjoyed “some of the best times of mylife.”“I was where they are, and I made it to the highest level. They can, too,” says Michael, noting that he still intends to finish his collegeeducation. “They need to keep their dreams alive.”6 Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Fall 2015
Corporate support: 3M staffers volunteer, donate, change kids’ livesGlobal Awareness DayFor the third year, our generousfriends at 3M supported GlobalAwareness Day on June 25.Thanks to the efforts of SeniorAccount Representative Bill Conboyand Human Resources CoordinatorAngie Martinoli, more than 30volunteers cooked and served lunchand supervised games, face painting,and the creation of colorful prayerflags expressing hope for peaceand recovery in Nepal following adevastating earthquake. In additionto underwriting the day, 3Mdonated funds and much neededoffice supplies.his co-workers were eager to jointhe Club’s mission of changing kids’lives.The event never disappoints,”says Bill, noting that due to thecombined efforts of the BGCL staffand 3M employees, it has been citedby 3M corporate as a “best practice”for all 3M Sales Connection teamsto emulate nationwide.“All 3M participants expressed theirappreciation for being allowed to bepart of such a worthy cause.”Bill learned about BGCL throughhis daughter, MaryKate, whovolunteered six years ago through aservice internship sponsored by theUniversity of Notre Dame. He saysGetting in the fundraising swingThe eighth annual Peter A. Lewis GolfTournament raised 20,285 for BGCLon August 10 at the Atkinson Resort &Country Club in Atkinson, N.H.The golf tournament is held in memoryof Peter A. Lewis, founder of theAtkinson Resort & Country Club and theLewis Group of Companies, who passedaway in May 2008. Since its inception,the golf tournament has raised 162,000 to help children break the cycle of povertythrough BGCL, an organization which his family says was dear to his heart.Christine Lewis Morse, president and owner of the Atkinson Resort & CountryClub, shares her parents’ support of the BGCL mission – particularly its emphasison education, accountability, and respect for one’s self and others. In fact, shenotes, her father’s modest upbringing can serve as an inspiration to Club members,regardless of the challenges they may face in life.“On behalf of my family, we would like to thank everyone who participated inmaking the golf tournament a tremendous success,” she says, “and helpingus continue my father’s legacy of making a difference in the lives of the kids ofLawrence.”WillYou?IncludeThe Boys & Girls Clubof Lawrencein your will or estateplan to forever be a partof the Club’s legacy ofdoing good for the kidsof Lawrence.Receive a specialpacket of informationand become a HeritageClub Member.Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Fall 2015 7
NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONBULK RATEPERMIT #360US POSTAGE PAIDComing EventsCollege FairOctober 7th136 Water StreetLawrence, MA 01841Take Action WalkathonOctober 18thHalloween PartyOctober 30thHall of Fame InductionNovember 19thAnnual MeetingNovember 19thLast year, more than 700 children eachrecieved a gift at our annual Christmasdinner. This wouldn’t be possiblewithout many generous individuals andcorporations.Thanksgiving DinnerNovember 25thHoliday Wrap SessionDecember 15thPlease consider donating:- gift cards of 10 (food, entertainment,shopping) for teens- toys for boys & girls (ages 7-12)Christmas DinnerDecember 18thFor more information, contact Billy Robertson at brobertson@lawrencebgc.com.Save the Date: Support YOUR ClubProceeds will be donated to the Boys &Girls Club of LawrenceTake Action WalkathonKeeping Lawrence healthy, one step at a time!Sunday, October 18, 20151 p.m.The two-mile walk along the Merrimack Riverbegins and ends at BGCL.Special family activities to follow, including abounce house, face painting, games, and more!To register and for more information, contactSarah Hogue at 978-683-2747, ext. 128 or shogue@lawrencebgc.com.Supported by:
News from the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Fall 2015“All the News That Fits We Print” alkathon at BGCL October 18th 1 pm lic 136 Water Street Lawrence MA 01841 978-683-2747 Beacon Club: 71 Duckett Avenue Lawrence MA 01843 Beacon: 978-691-5167 www.lawrencebgc.com Since the Boys & Girls Club
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Boys & Girls Club of Bowling Green Parent/Member Handbook Revised 2014 Page 9 Zero Tolerance for the Following Negative Behaviors: Fighting Stealing Threaten the safety of a Boys & Girls Club member or staff Damage to the Boys & Girls Club facility or equipment Members are expected to respond to discipline without incident.
ninth grade boys 9.4% ninth grade girls 3.9% tenth grade boys 7.9% tenth grade girls 2.8% eleventh grade boys 12% eleventh grade girls 3.5% twelfth grade boys 11.9% twelfth grade girls A study on sexual harassment of 7-12 grade students found: 19 56% of girls have experienced 40% of boys
Freshman Football Boys Soccer Boys/Girls . Golf Boys/Girls Jr. Varsity Soccer Boys/Girl . Volleyball Girls Wrestling . Junior Varsity Volleyball Girls . Freshmen Volleyball Girls . Spring : Baseball Boys . CCPS/FHSAA
The Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club was organized in 1917 as the Savannah Boys' Club by Mr. Frank Callen. In 1922, the Club became a member of the Boys Clubs of America. In 1954, the Club was renamed the Frank Callen Boys' Club in memory of its founder. The Savannah Club was at the forefront in efforts to include girls by accepting
The Boys & Girls Club serves over 3,000 youth from the City of Burbank and surrounding communities. The Club has a Main Club facility and 18 satellite locations. Mission Statement The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and GEV’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people to
