BE GREAT at Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

Tailgate in Tremont: OSU Buckeyes

2011-08-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

How can you spend an afternoon outdoors watching college football without going to the actual game? With the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland Bridge Board, a group of young professionals who provide support to the Cleveland youth, at the their third annual Tailgate in Tremont on September 17^th from 2pm to 7pm at The Southside!

Come support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland while watching The Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Miami Hurricanes (and other big football match-ups) on four big screen TVs. The event features typical tailgate fare including burgers, brats, hot dogs, hummus, beer, and wine, provided by The Southside. Meet new friends, cheer on the team and have fun playing tailgate games!

Individual tickets cost $30 in advance and $40 at the door.

You can purchase yours here:

https://clevekids.ejoinme.org/?tabid=307656

Fun Photo Friday: "Shop with the Pros"

2011-08-12T13:12:00.001-04:00

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.”

~ Ayn Rand

On Thursday, about 30 club members from across all of our clubs got a chance to go school shopping with a few of the Cleveland Indians’ players.

The Cleveland Indians partnered with Macy’s and Levi’s hosted their annual “Shop with the Pros” back-to-school shopping trip. After eating lunch at Great Northern Mall, our club members were split into groups to be paired up with an Indians’ player and his family. A few of the players that were present were Matt LaPorta, Joe Smith, Tony Sipp, Justin Masterson, and of course the infamous Slider, the Indians’ mascot. After taking numerous pictures, off the groups went to go school shopping at Macy’s! Each member was given $100 to buy school clothes and had a blast as they joked, laughed, and shopped with their newfound Cleveland Indians’ friends. When they were done shopping, everyone came back together to take even more pictures and to say final good byes.

Many of the Indians’ players gave more than just their time to our club members. They went one step further and gave them gifts, prizes, autographs, and lots of good advice for their future. For our club members, this shopping trip meant more than just getting new school clothes. This trip gave them an extra boost of confidence as the school year begins because they have a positive view of themselves. This trip helped them to form bonds with Indians’ players and gave them positive memories that they will never forget. This trip planted little seeds of hope that will help our members mature and reach their full potential.

Thank you to Macy’s, Levi’s, and especially the Cleveland Indians for making this event special for our members! Here are a few photos of the event.

Stop the Hate:Can't We All Just Get Along?

2011-08-05T09:28:00.000-04:00

In a city-wide campaign to "Stop the Hate" in Cleveland neighborhoods, our club members came up with creative ways to combat the violence and crime that they see all around them. Each club presented their ideas at our annual board meeting last Wednesday to show that they are serious about "stopping the hate" in their lives. Here are some photos and a few of the poems that the students read.

"Stop The Violence"
Lives Lead On The Wrong Path

With Twist And Turns That A Create Horrible Aftermath

Families Broken Apart All Because You Wanted A Name

But In The End You Just Thrusting Yourself Into The Flames

Lives Taken Away By Drugs And Violence

And Put Into An Eternal Silence

Guns Fired Over Alleged Words

Just Stop The Violence And Let Your Voice Be Heard

-Brenda A. Brown

Broadway Club Member

“If the World was Blind”

By Anna McBride

Why is the color on the outside of me so important to you?

Who would you like me to be? What would you like me to do?

Do you want everyone to act and look exactly the same?

All the hate and the fighting people like you are to blame.

Sometimes I wish that the whole world was blind

so you could only see people for what’s on the inside.

We would all look at the world through non-judgmental eyes

This hate is getting us no where can’t you just realize?

If only the world was blind…
-read by Karessa W. and Shylah S.
Broadway Club Members

“For the Boy”

By Erin

I cried for the boy who never knew me.

I cried for the boy because he was different.

I cried for the boy when they teased him.

I cried for the boy when they hurt him.

I cried for the boy when they took it too far.

I cried for the boy when he took his life into his own hands and left this world.

I cried for the boy because I saw this all happen.

I cried because I never said anything to stop it.

I cried because I laughed at their jokes.

I cried because he never hurt anyone.

I cried because he was alone.

I cried for his family.

I cried for not talking to him when I knew I could have been a friend.

I cried for the life he will never experience.

I cried for the boy I should have known.

-read by Kashjaona W. and DeSeana M.

Broadway Club members

Fun Photo Friday: College Bound

2011-07-29T13:25:00.000-04:00

On July 27, 2011, the Boys & Girls Club Bridge Board awarded one thousand dollar college scholarships to four of our club members. The four selected club members have all shown outstanding commitment to their clubs and are more than deserving of the scholarships they received. We wish them much success in their college bound lives and future career paths! Here are photos of the club members receiving their scholarships.

Kinyatta Edgerson

Always Be A Student

Keep on learning, graduate,
Though your graduation's done;
Your whole life's an education
That has only just begun.

Your diploma is the first big step,
For knowledge is the special key
To winning what you want in life
And being who you want to be.

If you'll always be a student,
You'll find the secrets to success
And travel on the golden road
To peace and happiness.

By Joanna Fuchs

Jaime Tirado and Nora Loftus

“So, impossible as it may seem
You've got to fight for every dream
Cause who's to know which one you let go
Would have made you complete”

-Ruben Studdard, “Flying Without Wings

Frederick Alexander and Nora Loftus

"I believe in the impossible
If I reach deep within my heart
Overcome any obstacle
Won't let this dream fall apart
See I strive to be the very best
Shine my light for all to see
Cause anything is possible
When you believe”

Aaron Bender and Nora Loftus

-Fantasia Barrino “I Believe”

Fun Photo Friday: Careers in Broadcasting

2011-07-22T15:04:00.000-04:00

This past week has been an exciting and busy week for our club members. On Thursday, members from all of our clubs were apart of a live audience for a competition called Careers in Broadcasting. The competition is hosted by the Boys & Girls Club, Taco Bell, and WKYC Channel 3 news station. Six contestants from our clubs and from other schools throughout the city competed for the opportunity to host their very own segment on the WKYC Channel 3 news station. The competition took place in a studio room at WKYC in which the six contestants had to give a three minute broadcast about a current event. Our club members then assisted the competition judges on deciding which male and female contestant would win. Our members also received a tour of the news station in which they met many people and learned a lot about news casting while having a great time. Check out some of the pictures of the tour and competition!

Congratulations to Angela Wright and Elliot Bridges for winning the competition!

All of the contestants

The winners!

Fun Photo Friday: Jumping Across Borders

2011-07-15T14:40:00.000-04:00

Teddy bear, teddy bear turn all around.
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear show your shoes.
Teddy bear, teddy bear how old are you?
1, 2, 3,…!!

Remember sitting outside on the front porch with your friends on a warm summer day eating ice-cream? Nobody wanted to play tag or hide and go seek any more, so you all did the next best thing: jump rope. Even as the years roll by and fashions, fads, and technology change, jump rope has still found a way to stay active in the lives of both children and adults throughout the world.

On Tuesday, our kids from the Broadway Club received a chance to meet a group of young professional jump rope team members from Tanzania and Kenya. These very special visitors are a part of a non- profit organization called One World One Rope. This organization is a global instructional jump rope program that has started jump rope teams all over the world. Our club members’ cultural awareness increased as they discovered and talked about the differences and similarities between our guests and themselves. They also learned a lot of new jump rope tricks as well. These are some pictures of our members interacting with One World One Rope team members.

We would like to thank One World One Rope for taking time out their busy schedule to come and jump rope across the border with our kids.

Rays of Sunshine

2011-07-12T11:58:00.000-04:00

Anyone from the Cleveland area would definitely agree that when it rains here, it pours suddenly, harshly, and nonstop. On rainy days, most people scurry to find a warm and dry shelter to protect them from the cats and dogs falling from the sky outside. Most people. At the Boys and Girls Club on Broadway, we got the unique opportunity to witness nineteen awesome men and women from various Office Max stores in the Cleveland area who not only volunteered hours of their time to come and help us clean rooms around the club, but they also planted new flowers throughout our gardens in the pouring rain. Their benevolence and hard work is evident all throughout our club.

Front yard garden

This group of Office Max volunteers was all business from the time they arrived at 9 am. They started the morning off by cleaning bleachers in our gym and picking up the trash in between all the seats. The volunteers then tackled various storage rooms where they cleaned out old supplies, re-organized shelves, and even moved some items we had to a new storage room. Next, they proceeded to move outdoors where they split into teams and planted flowers in our numerous flower gardens and around our field. There was only one small problem: a huge rain storm was raging outside. However, this did not stop these courageous men and women from completing their task. Despite our numerous efforts to get them to come inside, they went on planting as if it was any other regular day. It rained for at least an hour and half and not once did any of these volunteers come inside other than for a drink of water or more tools. They did not complain nor did they obtain negative attitudes. We were all simply in awe at the focus, efficiency, and dedication that these men and women possessed throughout their time at the club. However, the most amazing part about the whole experience was that they did all this before lunch time.

Backyard garden

Around 12:30pm, the Office Max volunteers finally took a break and went on lunch. However, their day was only half over. After all of the hard work that they did during the morning, this fearsome group decided to volunteer even more of their time by engaging in “interactive time” with the children from the club. They played ping pong and basketball, read, talked and spend hours just hanging out around the club with the children. By the time the Office Max volunteers left that day, they had volunteered over 100 hours of their time to the club.

The kindness and selflessness that the Office Max workers showed towards the Broadway Boys and Girls Club is priceless. From working in the rain to hanging with the children, this special group of volunteers went over and beyond all that was asked of them. Both the children and the staff really appreciated and enjoyed the positive energy and liveliness that the volunteers displayed the entire time that they were here. They are truly an amazing group of individuals and we are very grateful for all that they did for us.

Fun Photo Friday: I'M LOVIN' IT!

2011-07-08T11:37:00.001-04:00

“I’m Lovin’ It.”
We have all heard this slogan countless times as we watched McDonald’s commercials, saw their billboards, or heard their ad on the radio. Yet for the children and staff at the Broadway club, this slogan takes on a whole new meaning. Ronald McDonald House Charities graciously provided the Broadway club with new tables at which they can eat. Although to some people having a table to eat at may not be a big deal, to the children and staff at the Broadway club it makes a world of difference.

Before receiving the new tables, mealtimes were hectic. The children would have to eat in whatever space that they found around the club. Sometimes this meant eating in the gym on the bleachers, on the floor, or standing up. Other times, children would walk around the club to find available rooms or spaces. The children never got a chance to eat together in one area. However because of the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities, children can now have a real dinner time where they can sit and socialize with their friends in one central location. The tables allow the children to get a community feel as the share a meal together. The addition of the tables not only benefits the children at the club, but it lifts a burden off the staff as well. With all the children and food in one place, staff can better maintain a clean and sanitary food area. They can better sustain a clean club because they no longer have to worry about children roaming all over the club eating their meals. However, Ronald McDonald House Charities provided more than just tables for the children and staff at the clubs. They provided an opportunity for a stronger community bond, friendship, and most of all a unity amongst the club during mealtimes. The children and staff at the Broadway club are simply…lovin’ it.

Thank you, Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Headed in the Right Direction

2011-06-15T07:34:00.003-04:00

Guest Blog By: Debra O'Neal
2011 Cleveland Foundation Intern

To most people the word “public housing” is synonymous with crime, violence, and poverty. People envision single mothers with multiple children, no jobs and living off of welfare. However while some of those claims may have truth to them, most people fail to see how public housing can also play a positive role in the lives of the children who live there. As a child who grew up in public housing, I can definitely say that the lessons and experiences I took from there played a major part in shaping my character and helping me to achieve the many accomplishments that I have.

Though I lived in low income housing all my life, I didn’t realize that I was “poor” until I was in high school. I never felt "poor” or felt that I was lacking in any area. My parents always had jobs, and even though I did not receive EVERYTHING I wanted, neither my siblings nor I ever went without the things we needed. We never had the latest gadgets or the newest fads, but we were content with what we did have, and compared to some of our friends we were very well off. Though we may have been financially poor, the love of my parents, family, and friends made us spiritually and emotionally rich. I am blessed to have such a good family, and despite others’ beliefs, I feel blessed to had been raised in public housing. From an outsider’s perspective, it may have seemed that the neighborhoods in which I was raised in were terrible, but it was because of those neighborhoods that I am who I am today.

My neighborhood that I grew up in consisted of eight six-bedroom low income apartments. These apartments were exclusively meant for parents who had more that six children under their care. So even though there were only a few families there, more than seventy people lived in this area alone. There were always a lot of kids around for every age group, so our summers were always filled with a lot of fun and excitement. Though some of us went to summer camps or daycare, we still found ways to create new games or activities to fill our time when we were at home. One summer, after the housing authority built a basketball court in our back yard, we started a summer league in which we even convinced a local church to donate to us some pennies. Another time, we decided to throw our mothers a surprise Mother’s Day program complete with snacks, dance routines, and music. One year, we even started a step team in which we competed against other teams and almost won. These are the memories I hold of public housing, not those negative generalizations that people are so quick to assume.

Why we certainly had our share of fights and pain, we also had an abundance of good memories and positive experiences. It is because of growing up in public housing that I learned to value the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance, and most of all, community. I found out at an early age that nobody expected us to be successful or respected us. Therefore in order to achieve anything, I needed to work twice as hard in school, at work, and especially in staying out of trouble in our neighborhoods. I understood early to make the best of what I had and that no matter how bad something may seem at the time, it never lasts forever. Living in public housing taught me a lot of things, but the biggest lesson it showed me was that since I already started at the bottom, the only direction that I could go was up.

Fun Photo Friday: What Could Be Cuter?

2011-05-27T15:33:00.000-04:00

Carina and Cassiopeia

What could be cuter than two baby Lemurs? I am not sure, but I can tell you what is better than seeing an adorable picture of the two newcomers to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo....seeing them in person!

Why not bring along the whole family on June 25th and get to the Zoo early for our Race for Kids & Wellness Festival. Animals are always most active early in the morning, so you will have the unique opportunity of seeing the Zoo's many lively animals before the park opens to the public. And in the meantime, you will be getting a healthy start to your Saturday!

Race for Kids & Wellness Festival begins at 7:30am on June 25th at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. All proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland...meaning it will be fun and charitable all at the same time!

Races include a 5k run and 1 mile walk/fun and there is a family registration rate for the 1 mile! And the best part...besides the baby Lemurs, of course... DISCOUNTED ZOO ADMISSION IS INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FEE!

Register today on our Race for Kids page!

Challenge Day Challenged Me

2011-05-25T15:44:00.000-04:00

Cleveland Metropolitan School District recently wrapped up what has become an annual program called "Challenge Day." It is a day of activities designed to build a sense of community among a group of students. Volunteers were invited to participate as adult facilitators, leading group discussions and ice-breaking games. This was my first year volunteering, and what a day it turned out to be!

The day began with everyone seeming a little nervous. These days are known to be emotionally charged events where the tissues end up vastly outnumbering the people. As the day progressed, though, you could feel the tension ease up in the room and everyone started getting a lot more comfortable with the process.

As a volunteer, I was given four students to form a family group. I can't say enough about how lucky I was to get the four young people assigned to me. They were open, honest, and ready with hugs whenever either a fellow student or I needed one. During "If You Really Knew Me," we all shed tears as we listened to our family members share painful details about their hardships and struggles. It was such a wonderful chance to bond with people who, only hours before, had been complete strangers. I was not only heartbroken to hear what these four teenagers had been through, but inspired by their sense of determination and perseverance. I don't know that I could have survived much of what they were going through.

The most moving part of the day came with the exercise called "Cross the Line," which you may have seen in the movie "Freedom Writers." Everyone was asked to stand on a line and then cross to the opposite line when something applied to their life. For instance, we were asked to cross the line if we were a child of divorce, or if we had a friend or loved one killed by violence, etc. What I found most revealing was how much I actually had in common with many of the kids. Having grown up with two parents in a military family, I never thought I would have much in common with a group of predominantly inner-city kids; but there I was crossing the line time after time.

Of course like the others in the room, it was sometimes difficult to face the realities of what it meant to cross the line. But there was truly a feeling that we were all in this together. After crossing the line we would put our arms around a young person that had done the same, letting them know that they are not alone in their struggles. Afterward, when we met back in our small family groups to discuss the exercise, one of my kids said he felt so much better when he would look down the line and see some of his friends were there too. He never realized that he had a group of people who could understand what he was going through and be there for him. What a powerful moment...knowing you are in fact not ALONE.

I really cannot say enough about the impact that the day had on me, and the impact I hope it had on the kids that participated. If CMSD is able to bring Challenge Days back next year, I would encourage everyone to take a day off from work and become a volunteer. I can guarantee it will be an eye-opening experience that you will never forget. And more importantly, it will show our youth that they are truly not alone.

Where Have Our Role Models Gone?

2011-05-02T15:35:00.000-04:00

Sally Ride

I was talking with a friend lately and the subject of role models came up. This person asked me who my role models were, and believe it or not, I had a hard time answering that question. I remember a time when I had role models that I could easily name if the question arose. As a five-year-old, I watched the Challenger shuttle launch and almost immediately blow-up. It was perhaps one of my first real childhood memories. I remember crying when I saw the pictures of the astronauts who had lost their lives. On that day I set the goal to be the first female Commander of a shuttle flight, and proceeded to learn everything I could about being an astronaut. One of the people I learned about was the first American female in space, Sally Ride, who became my role model. Of course, before I even finished by BA, a woman had commanded and piloted the shuttle, and by that time my interests had shifted. Nonetheless, having a strong role model as I was growing up and making plans for my future was very important to me.

So here I am an adult, and I have realized that I don't really "look up" to anyone anymore. Why is it that when we become adults we are not as interested in looking up to others? Shouldn't that be the time when we are more interested in following in the footsteps of those great individuals that have gone before us because by that point we are more self-aware and our dreams are more concrete? Likewise, how are we to ever become our "ideal" self if we never think about who we might emulate?

During the 2010 Youth of the Year competition, I became close to our winner, Dajah, and we have remained in almost daily contact for over a year. I know that she looks up to me and that I provide guidance and a strong example for her. She has told me on many occasions that she does not know how she would have gotten through the first year of college without me. She tells her friends all the things she has learned from me and it makes me feel great knowing that I am providing her with the tools she needs to become her "ideal" self.

If we, as adults, are to become role models for the younger generations, I think it is imperative that we give thought to our quest for own self-improvement. We should seek out those individuals that can teach us something about ourselves, and perhaps show us a better way. Otherwise, how can we be sure that we are showing our youth a better path?

Fun Photo Friday: The Upside of LeBron's "Decision"

2011-04-29T07:45:00.011-04:00

Center-Court with BGCC Logo

Advertising during LeBron James' "Decision" last summer raised millions of dollars. LeBron decided to give some of that back to youth and made a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Two of our local Clubs benefited and received $130,000 for gym renovations. The last improvements to the gym floor at our Broadway Club were officially unveiled on Monday afternoon. The kids broke in the new floor with a game of basketball immediately after a letter written by LeBron to BGCC members was read, the ribbon was cut, and the gym re-opened! The following are some picture from the event:

Tip-off


Let the Games Begin


To the Free-Throw Line

Spectators Enjoying the Game

Do The Right Thing

2011-04-27T10:45:00.000-04:00

Josh Cribbs Photo credit: Tracy Boulian / The Plain Dealer

Guest post by Traci Christler, Annual Fund Coordinator,

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

I don't think it is a secret that Clevelanders love their sports teams. Good or bad, adults and kids alike look to sports figures as role models. Some athletes put themselves before the team. Some get involved with drugs and alcohol and breaking the law. Just the sort of person you don't want your children to end up like.

But, then there are other athletes. Many athletes get involved in the community and give back to the city (Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner is a great example). Some of these men and women work hard and strive to do their very best. These folks conduct themselves as professionals both on and off the field.

This past week, members of the Cleveland Browns showed up to the practice facility for the start of Training Camp. Because of the uncertainty of the recent NFL lockout, the players were turned away and were not allowed to work out. The players had two choices, they could turn around and go home or they could work on another solution. Josh Cribbs and several other players left the facility and went to the Cleveland Metroparks and created their own work out. As a fan, it was exciting to read news about our team working together to be the best that they can be.

Every day in our clubs, there are dedicated Boys & Girls Club staff members trying to guide our kids into making good decisions. Our kids need great role models in their lives to help them to BE GREAT!

If you are interested in taking a tour of one of our Clubs or volunteering to be a role model, please contact Christopher West at cwest@clevekids.org.

Reflections on Childhood Obesity Conference

2011-04-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

Guest Post By:
Ron Soeder, President-Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

On Thursday I attended the obesity conference held by a partnership with Slate and the Cleveland Clinic. I was very impressed by the quality of the panels and their perspective on the significant increase in childhood obesity and the health impacts on young people. To hear about children that are facing heart problems and the effects of Diabetes at age 10 bring to light the significance of the issue.

As a service provider of high quality after-school program we have a unique perspective on some of the solutions being considered. Urban school districts, and particularly Cleveland, provide little or no physical education, recess or after-school sports for K to 8 students. I applaud the effort to improve the quality of food provided for breakfast and lunch. As we look to provide green space, bike paths and other play areas it is imperative that we consider the impact of youth violence in our urban neighborhoods. I am often asked if you would like to have bike donations. I have unfortunately been declining them. It is mainly due to youth becoming targets for the bikes to be stolen and kids being beaten up in the process. Safe neighborhoods will need to be provided if we expect youth to get out and get active.

We are a part of the solution by providing quality after-school programs in urban neighborhoods. We actively provide nutrition information and provide recreational opportunities that keep kids active. Through the Cleveland Foodbank and our Kids Café program, we are making sure youth get a balanced meal daily. We also have gardens at three of our clubs. It is an uphill battle, but the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland want to be a part of the solution.

Fun Photo Friday: Shenga

2011-04-22T16:21:00.000-04:00

Shenga, One of Cleveland Metropark Zoo's Newest Elephants

What does Shenga and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland have in common?

We will both have a debut at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! On May 5, Cleveland Zoo will officially open the Elephant Crossing Exhibit! A project years in the making, the new exhibit will give the resident elephants a beautiful and expansive new home!

And on June 25th, Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland will host our Race for Kids & Wellness Festival for the first time at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! We will have fun activities for the whole family including a scavenger hunt for the kids, health-related vendors for the adults, delicious food, fun music, arts & crafts, a balloon clown and MUCH, MUCH MORE! After completing the 5k or 1 mile course, you can head over to Elephant Crossing and meet Shenga and the other elephants that call Cleveland home.

A discounted zoo admission is included in the registration fee! Family registration rates are available for the 1 mile course, so everyone can get out and enjoy a Saturday at the Zoo.

Don't wait! Register for the race today at https://bgccleveland.myetap.org/raceforkids/!

What is a Challenge Day?

2011-04-20T16:49:00.000-04:00

Since 2007, Cleveland Metropolitan School District has hosted Challenge Days at area high schools. Defined as a powerful, high-energy program, it is an opportunity for youth and caring adults to participate in a series of activities designed to build cohesion, draw awareness to violence and bullying, and empower each individual.

The morning will begin with an ice-breaker session where the adults and youth can get to know one another. This will be followed by a segment called "If You Knew Me." During these emotional, and sometimes painful discussions, youth will open up to each other and the adult leading their group. In the process, they learn that everyone is struggling with something. This is such a unique opportunity to teach our young people the power of compassion and empathy.

Following lunch, the popular "Step to the Line" activity shows all of the participants that we probably have more in common than we think. After coming to that realization, the final activity of the day gives the youth an opportunity to say whatever is on their mind to the entire group.

Challenge Days provide a safe environment where young people can learn to come to terms with the painful things that are going on in their lives and grow closer to their peers. It is the goal of the program to build a culture of understanding and cooperation in schools, and aims to end the violence between teens that all to often leaves another desk empty in the classroom.

Want to get involved? We need more adults to volunteer to spend the day participating in this unique and powerful event. Why not spend a day helping to influence the lives of our inner-city youth. I promise you, it will be a day well spent!

To sign up for one of the following dates, email Kasey Morgan at kasey.t.morgan@cmsdnet.net
John F. Kennedy High School: April 26th, 27th, and 28th, and May 2nd
Martin Luther King Jr. Career Campus: May 3rd, 4th, and 5th
East Technical High School: May 10th, 11th, and 12th

How One Painful Experience Brought Inspiration

2011-04-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Guest Post By: Dajah Spence
2010 Youth of the Year, BGCC Alumna

October 23, 2006 was a rainy, windy, and cold day. Normally around the time of Halloween, the weather is warm, people are buying candy and kids are choosing costumes to wear to go trick-or-treating. On that day, I stayed in the house watching television as opposed to going outside. There was a knock on the door and I jumped up to answer it, tripping over the shoes my family often placed at the front door because we didn’t want to carry them upstairs.

I opened the door and there stood a familiar face. He was tall and dark with a black jacket and tissue in his left hand; I figured it was because his nose was running from the weather. He looked about the age of 16 and he had a short hair cut. His facial expression looked as if he had had a long day and was exhausted. He asked to come in and speak with my mom. I led him in the house and nodded towards to couch for him to sit and wait. I yelled upstairs and told my mom she had a visitor. My mom got out of bed, put on her house shoes, and carefully walked down the steep steps that I frequently hurt myself on. As my mom went downstairs I passed her on the steps to give them some privacy. I went to my room, flopped on the bed and played music on my phone.

Suddenly, a few minutes later I heard my mom come back upstairs and go into her room. She started shouting out profanity and hit the wall a couple of times. I turned off my music and put my ear to the wall. She called my name and I jumped. A million thoughts were going through my head as I walked down the hallway towards her room. I didn’t know what was going on and I started to think back to decide if I had done something wrong recently. I pushed opened her door and walked in, sitting on the end of her bed. She looked me in the eyes and told me a girl died from cancer today. That girl was my best friend.

From that day on, my best friend inspired me to go above and beyond. She is the reason that I want to go into healthcare and make a difference in people’s lives. I want to contribute to helping to save lives. I began looking at all the different career opportunities in healthcare and the healthcare administrator position caught my eye. I took the initiative and conducted a phone interview with a healthcare administrator at Manor Care located in Akron. I learned about the responsibilities, the commitment, and hours an administrator put towards that position. Speaking with the administrator, I realized that this was a career I could see myself being passionate about and I will strive for excellence to accomplish my goal.

My best friend was optimistic and made a difference in the community. I honestly feel that I am able to live the life she would have wanted and her legacy can carry on through me.

-Dajah is currently a freshman at Bowling Green State University studying Healthcare Administration. The friend referred to in the above story was also a Boys & Girls Club member prior to her death.

Fun Photo Friday: Global Youth Service Day!

2011-04-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

Today thousands of youth across Cleveland celebrated Global Youth Service Day by giving back to their community. The kids at the Broadway Boys & Girls Clubs helped to clean up their neighborhood and collect recyclables. Here are some shots of the kids in action, along with their helpers, staff from ArcelorMittal!

Stop the Hate...Youth Speak Out!

2011-04-12T15:02:00.000-04:00

Guest Post By: Cedric Thorbes
2nd Place Winner: Maltz Museum's "Stop the Hate" Essay Contest

I felt like Dr. Martin Luther King standing in front of an angry, racist mob delivering a peace sermon. I looked into the crowd only to see rolling eyes and angry faces. Staring at facial expressions of aggression and anger, I didn't feel welcome.

Placed on a panel discussion in southern Ohio, I was told to express my feeling about my high school experience. The majority of the audience was white. So were the four other students I say on the panel with. I was third in line to speak. I waited my turn as the first two students went to the podium and delivered their speeches. As each finished the crowd offered them thunderous applause. Now it was my turn. Nervously, I stood. The group in the front row shrank back into their seats. It seemed that they were frightened of me. As I walked over to the podium, people walked out. I knew it wasn't time for a bathroom break. My white counter parts didn't receive the "walk out" treatment. As I began to speak, I heard the chatter coming from the right corner of the room. I heard murmurs of the words "poor" and "nigger".

Rattled and confused, I finished my speech. There was absolute silence. I didn't receive the roaring ovation that my white counter parts did. I went back to my seat feeling underappreciated and useless. My presentation was well prepared. I couldn't understand why I didn't receive applause from the crowd. Was it because I was black? Was it because I was from the inner-city? I had no clue why they gave off this vibe. Being one of only six blacks in the room made me feel uneasy with this company. They showed they weren't too fond of my being there. I had no idea why this discrimination and racism occurred. After my experience on the panel, my spirit was crushed. After witnessing the uncomforting audience, I felt that maybe they think one race is superior to the other.

Something had to change. I began to join organizations that pushed social justice. I am currently the president of the SCLC Youth Division of Cleveland and The B.R.I.C.K Program which stands for Brotherhood, Respect, Intelligence, Conduct and Knowledge. I am most proud of my presidency over the Cleveland NAACP Youth Council. As president I speak out against injustice and for civil rights issues. From Cleveland to Chicago, from Washington D.C. to Atlanta, I have held peace rallies and marches to stop bullying and discrimination. I hold protests to speak out against the injustices of the youth. For someone to be treated as unequal because of economic status or skin color is wrong. Dr. King said a man should be judged not by the color of his skin but the content of his character. So I will preach the sermons of justice and peace and speak out against discrimination so no other student will have to hear the silence of racism again.

*Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out! was developed out of the emotional response students had when visiting the Maltz Museum and their various exhibitions on hate. The first contest was held in 2008-2009 and was funded by the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. Essays of no more than 500 words are submitted by young people and discuss combating acts of discrimination and intolerance. Students are asked to consider their own role in affecting change in the community. As a 2nd place winner, Cedric earned a $25,000 college scholarship. For more information visit: www.maltzmuseum.org

A Day in the Life of a Gang Outreach Worker

2011-04-06T16:05:00.000-04:00

Many of our Clubs sit in neighborhoods riddled with violence and our kids are never far away from the threat of yet another tragedy. In the past month several of our members have been witness to horrific shootings resulting in the deaths of family members and friends. Sometimes the weight of the pain and feeling of hopelessness to keep these awful things from happening could make even the most dedicated youth professional want to throw up their hands and say, "I give up!" Luckily, we have caring adults who realizing defeat is not an option. We are talking about the lives and the futures of our youth; kids we care about as if they were our own.

Miss Nancy

That is where Miss Nancy comes in. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland we have many dedicated and wonderful staff that support our kids every day. And one special group of staff are our gang outreach workers who go into schools and neighborhoods to mediate between rival gangs in an attempt to prevent violence and the inevitable retaliation that often follows. Miss Nancy is one of those people. She spends each day at high schools and on the streets around the city, meeting kids on their turf. On Monday I had the privilege of following her around East Tech High school. During those two short hours, I learned even more about the immense and heavy struggles our youth face. But that was not the only thing I took away from the experience. I saw how harsh descriptions of reality, mixed with stern words and a loving hug can guide troubled youth away from violence and towards hope.

The day began with Miss Nancy making the rounds on the third floor where the 9th graders were taking classes. Every student wandering the halls during class was immediately identified, given a hug, and told without hesitation, "Get back to class now." The rest of the morning was spent going to a few different classrooms where there were frank discussions about the realities of prison, the importance of education, and the reason each teacher deserved the respect of their students. It was truly a no-holds-barred approach.

What most impressed me was the respect that Miss Nancy received from each of the kids. One minute she may be in a student's face explaining why their disruptive behavior was unacceptable, and the next minute they were giving her a hug as she told them how much she loved them. It just demonstrated what we all know but sometimes forget---just yelling at a kid and telling them right from wrong will not be nearly as effective if it is not coupled with love and respect.

Perhaps the most touching moment came at the end of a class when Miss Nancy noticed a student with his head down at the back of the classroom. She gave him a hug and asked him what was the matter. He told her he had not eaten in two days and there was no food in the house. Miss Nancy sprung into action, finding the lunchroom staff and getting him food immediately. He soon returned to class where he was able to concentrate and engage in the discussion. She told me later that particular student came from a family of seven children and had a single, unemployed mom. She made a note to call around and see what she could do to get some food in the house.

The purpose of the outreach program is to identify gang members or youth at-risk of gang involvement. Our outreach staff then work to meet the needs of those individuals; whether it is employment, OGT tutoring, securing food or shelter, or even washing uniforms so they can be presentable at work. No need is too small...because when a young man or woman sees that there are adults out there that understand their struggles and care about their success, they realize the "love" they get from the gang is not real. They realize they are worth something to someone who will never demand they commit a crime or start a fight. They realize they can make something of themselves if they just use the tools they are given.

It is only when we give our youth a sense of self-worth that we can start to address the problems of violence. And that is what Miss Nancy is doing, one kid at a time.

The Generosity of Cleveland: Flint Boys & Girls Clubs come to Town

2011-04-04T05:16:00.005-04:00

Guest Post By: Ron Soeder

President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

Kids from BGC Flint and BGC Cleveland outside the Rock Hall

On Friday, March 25^th and Saturday, March 26^th members from the Flint Michigan Club and members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland were treated like royalty by supporters in Cleveland. They attended the Cavs vs. Pistons game on Friday night and got to sit on the floor during shoot around. Talk about up close and personal! Colleen Garrity and the rest of the Cavaliers' Community Relations staff provided the kids with a gift bag full of Cavs souvenirs and spent a great deal of time talking to the kids about the back office of an NBA franchise. The kids thought the offices were really cool; complete with baskets, basketball floors and, the thing that impressed them most, free slushees! The night finished with a sleep over at the Broadway club where the kids ate pizza, hooped, and got to know each other better. Mattresses were provided generously by the Girl Scout camp in Macedonia.

On Saturday morning the kids woke to a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and orange juice provided by Northern Haserot, and cooked by yours truly. After that, it was off to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The tour was provided by Kristen Adams of PNC and Greg Harris at the Rock Hall. The members were also given a Rock Hall key chain as a gift.

I want to send out a BIG thank you to everyone who made the weekend possible:

· Colleen Garrity Community Outreach Cleveland Cavs

· Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio

· Doug Kern-President of Northern Haserot

· Kristen Adams-Senior Vice President-PNC

· Greg Harris-Vice President of Development-Rock Hall

· Jeff Haynes Unit Director-Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

· Tauzzari Robinson-Flint Michigan Boys & Girls Clubs

As the youth left on Saturday, they left with new friends, tokens of their visit and even knew who Jimi Hendrix was, all because of the generous support of those in Cleveland who care.

Fun Photo Friday: Future All-Stars

2011-04-01T13:14:00.000-04:00

DeAngelo, Stephanie, Jasmine & George are BGCC's Future All-Stars!

With the Indians' home opener only hours away, I thought, why not celebrate the start of the baseball season by honoring our "Future" All-Stars. Whether their dream is to become an architect, pediatrician, college graduate, or a candy-maker, we want to ensure that ALL of our kids receive the tools they need to follow their dreams.

We could always use even more caring adults to help lead the way for our future community leaders. For more information about how you can give back, visit http://www.clevekids.org/index.php/support/volunteer/ or email Sherri Buehl at sbuehl@clevekids.org.

Now, let's PLAY BALL!!!

A Safe Place

2011-03-30T16:44:00.000-04:00

Nick J. Cool, PR News Foto

Guest post by Traci Christler, Annual Fund Coordinator,

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, I never worried very much about my safety. My family lived in a safe and quiet neighborhood with the biggest problem being an occasional barking dog. My mom was always home when I returned from school, so, for me, home was a safe place to be.

Life is much different for the youth of Cleveland today. Many of our kids live in single parent households and would otherwise be alone when they got home from school if it weren't for the Boys & Girls Club. At the Club, kids are safe to do what kids do best...be kids. Club members are given a snack and hot meal while they do their homework, play games and make friends.

When children arrive at the Club, they are checked in by a staff member before they can participate in any activities. Our dedicated staff is available to not only facilitate with games and programs, but to nag about homework as well.

The safety of the Boys & Girls Club members is paramount to the staff and they keep an eye on our members to ensure everyone has a safe and fun experience.

If you are interested in taking a tour of one of our Clubs to see for yourself, please contact Kara Copeland at kcopeland@clevekids.org.

Out with the Old...

2011-03-23T06:21:00.021-04:00

Guest Post By:

Samanth Martin, BGCC Intern

Spring has officially sprung! It is definitely noticeable in the weather, the blooming tulips and… your closet?

Spring is the sign of new life and new beginnings; the flora and fauna return and our beautiful Northeast Ohio is alive again after a treacherous winter. Along with this rebirth comes our own need for “out with the old, in with the new.” That’s right; I’m talking about spring cleaning.

It’s a process many of us go through every year; some despise it and others enjoy every minute of it. Whatever your case may be, it is undeniable that spring cleaning is not only rejuvenating, but can also be utilized to help many families and youth in our region.

We are all aware that Cleveland is a needy area. There are people without homes, children without toys, and babies without clothes. When we think of all that we really do have, we all have something to give, right?

Your favorite blouse from five years ago that you just can’t seem to part with, yet never wear? Donate it! That end table sitting in your garage that you just don’t have a use for? Donate it! How about your children’s favorite toys from years ago? Donate them! Bought a new toaster? Don’t throw the old one away—donate it!

So after all that rummaging, you found that you do indeed have some things to donate, but where do you take them? There is a great resource on the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Management District website. It’s a list of area locations that accept various donations. Each of the donation spots take various items, ranging from clothing to cell phones to toilets! See that list at: http://cuyahogaswd.org/en-US/pass-it-on.aspx

Have any basketballs to donate? Maybe an baseball glove you son didn't want? The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland are always accepting donations of new and lightly used recreational items. These items are greatly valued by our Club members, who may have never had a glove to play catch with or a basketball to keep them active.

Okay, you’ve searched and cleaned and can’t seem to get rid of ANYTHING? Donate a few extra dollars! The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland are working hard to bring in 57 new donors of $57 or more in celebration of being a positive place for kids for 57 years! Can't part with $57 at this time? No problem! No amount is too big or small. Make your donation today to start reshaping the lives of Cleveland's youth!

Can’t spare ANY change? Then donate your TIME! Check out www.clevekids.org to see how you can help inspire our youth.

Whether it is shoes and purses or even just few extra minutes on the weekend, we all have too much of something. This springtime, tap into your giving side and donate what you can. There are many families out there who would appreciate things that we may take for granted every day.

What on Earth is a Twestival?

2011-03-21T15:18:00.000-04:00

The Twestival in Cleveland is part of an international event that brings Tweeps together to meet each other face to face and support a worthy cause in the process. This year's Twestival will be held at AMP 150 on Thursday, March 24th from 5-9pm.

All proceeds from the event will benefit We Run This City, a collaborative program run by The Y of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Department of Public Health, and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. During a 14-week program, students from CMSD schools train to run the Rite Aid Marathon, showing that they can realize their goals.

As a big believer in promoting healthy lifestyles in our Clubs, we are excited to see a program that truly challenges youth to push beyond their boundaries and reach their goals will benefit from such a fun, social engagement! I don't know that I could ever run a marathon, so I tip my hat to those kids that are in the midst of training!

So what are you waiting for? For only $10, you can have fun meeting hundreds of others in the Twitterverse, all while supporting a good cause. @Clevekids (that's us) will be there and you should be too!

Fun Photo Friday: Taco Bell & the Club

2011-03-18T08:03:00.002-04:00

What do Taco Bell and the Boys & Girls Clubs have in common? We all want to help teens succeed!

The local Taco Bell Franchises and the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens have been long-time supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland. The local Taco Bell stores were even named our "Corporate Partner of the Year" for their commitment to working with our youth!

And what does this car have to do with any of that? Earlier this week, we hosted several franchise owners at our Broadway Club for their annual meeting and this car ended up parked in our parking lot! How fun would it be to drive around town in this?

No Place Like Home

2011-03-16T13:43:00.000-04:00

Guest post by Traci Christler, Annual Fund Coordinator,

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

Growing up in the suburbs, I couldn’t wait to leave Cleveland and move to a state that wasn’t “round on both ends and hi in the middle.” I was positive that there was something, somewhere, better out there for me. So, off I went, spending years living and working in three other states before I decided to come back home.

As I have gotten older, I reached a point that I wanted nothing more than to come home. To be back with my family and friends became very important to me. I was tired of missing holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and the good old movie night, all because I lived a state away. There is no other place like Cleveland. There is no place like home.

When the opportunity came to work at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, I jumped on it, not only as a way to come home, but more importantly, as a chance to make a difference in my community. Over the years, the city of Cleveland has taken hits, whether from dwindling education budgets or from Forbes Magazine calling Cleveland one of America's Most Miserable Cities. I wanted to be a part of making Cleveland a better place to live. I want to make Cleveland a better place to call home.

Last year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland was a second home to over 6,000 children. The Clubs provide kids with something that they need most - a safe place to grow, learn and realize their full potential. With over 50% of Cleveland’s children living at or below the poverty line (and over 80% of the children that come to the Clubs are living at or below the poverty line), the Clubs are a place where children can get a hot meal, play in organized sports, try their hand at arts and crafts and get a little nagging about their homework. All this is a reminder that someone cares about them.

Home is something that is easy to take for granted. That is, until you are away from it or don’t have one.

If you are interested in taking a tour of one of our Clubs to see our home, please contact Kara Copeland at kcopeland@clevekids.org.

Get in Shape While Hanging Out with Zoo Animals...ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

2011-03-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

It's time to start training for our 5k race on June 25th at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo!

The fun begins with the Wellness Festival, sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, at 7:30am and the races begin at 8:30am. Bring the whole family for a day of fun at the zoo! Discounted admission is included in the registration fee and family registrations are available for the 1 mile walk/fun run!

For more information and to register for the race visit: https://bgccleveland.myetap.org/raceforkids/

Need an easy 5k training program to get you started on reaching your goals? I used the Novice 5k training program by Hal Higdon last year and thought it was perfect!

Fighing Poverty or Bribing Parents?

2011-03-10T15:03:00.000-05:00

I was intrigued by a recent report I heard on NPR about a program in Mexico called Opportunidades. In an effort to fight poverty in the country, the Mexican government, backed by loans from the World Bank, spends $5 billion a year on a program that pays mothers cash for meeting certain guidelines in the care of their children. They are paid for taking their kids to regular medical check-ups and keeping them in school. Amounts range from $29/month for an elementary student all the way up to $185/month for keeping a high school student from dropping out. Payments are higher for girls, since it is not uncommon for families to pull their daughters out of school to help support mothers around the house. Nearly one-third of Mexico's population participates in the program.

Where the programs have been implemented in rural areas, the results are quite impressive. In Monterrey, for example, the case of malnutrition among children has been cut in half. Comparable programs in Brazil have yielded similar results. Not only do these programs improve the health of children, but they also seem to help break the cycle of poverty. Uneducated parents are now seeing their kids graduate college and work in professional fields; dramatically increasing their earning potential.

The results are more mixed in urban settings. While there appear to have been some gains in a pilot program in New York City and larger urban areas in Mexico, they have not been as dramatic as those seen in the rural programs. The reasons are unclear and, in my opinion, warrant further study, given the rising population of the poor in the world's urban communities.

These programs are certainly not without their critics who say parents are just being bribed to do what they already should be doing. Others say the only way to break the cycle of poverty and ensure children in very poor communities are properly educated is to provide additional resources to mothers, thereby reducing obstacles that may interfere with their children's success.

This program got me thinking about what we could do for our poor, inner-city youth that face many of the same obstacles; hunger, lack of preventative health care, and uneducated parents. Does paying parents to properly care for their children and keep them in school amount to bribery; or is it simply "doing whatever it takes," as Geoffrey Canada of the Harlem Children's Zone says?

Canada has faced similar criticism for his programs that pay parents to attend parenting classes and stay involved in their children's education. The results his programs have yielded are equally as impressive as those of Opportunidades. With the numbers of his students passing standardized tests or performing at grade level in the 90% or higher range, and with 100% of his high school seniors graduating, it is hard not to recognize the value of his "cradle to college" approach. And it is not just the youth that are benefiting from his programs. The communities where his kids live have been rejuvenated with block associations becoming active once again and families remaining intact.

I believe what these programs show is that the success of our most vulnerable children is a complicated challenge that cannot be boiled down to education alone. Anyone who has worked with the poor know that many times it is the other complications in life that get in the way. How can we expect children to focus on reading when they are hungry? How can we expect them to envision a future when they are battling illness or dodging bullets in the streets? Of course, the problem of taking a much more comprehensive approach to fighting poverty is that it is expensive. But given the successes seen in the 30+ countries that are experimenting with programs like Opportunidades, I think it is worth it to see how we can make it work in the poorest communities here in America.

Closing the Instruction Gap

2011-03-07T16:28:00.000-05:00

With state after state dealing with massive budget deficits, it comes as no surprise that cuts to public services will continue. Unfortunately, the first sector that usually gets slapped with cuts is often education....and this year seems to be even worse. Many states are attempting to close their deficits on the shoulders of the school systems; asking teachers and principals to do much more with even less. One of the ways schools are doing more is by employing less teachers, which resulted in larger class sizes.

In a New York Times article today, the debate on class sizes is discussed in detail. Traditionally, research has shown that smaller class sizes yield higher test scores and increased levels of achievement among students. Teachers are also big proponents of smaller class sizes. However, recent research seems to be tending towards de-emphasizing the role class size plays in student achievement. Regardless of what the data does or does not show, if you speak to many students you will find there is no debate where they are concerned.

During a recent interview on education, one of our teens was asked if she could change anything about the education system, what would she choose. Without hesitation she said she was have fewer students in her class. She pointed out that in math class she finds it especially difficult to learn with so many other students vying for the teacher's attention. Our member plainly said that she feels like she can better understand her lessons when she is able to get more one-on-one attention from the teacher; something that is nearly impossible when there are more than 30 students in a class.

The decrease in personal attention that many students receive in school makes after school programming that much more important. When a child struggles with learning and is unable to get their questions answered in school, they often give up. Luckily, millions of kids in the country have access to Boys & Girls Clubs and other tutoring programs including 21st Century Community Learning Centers; an after school initiative that targets low-income, impoverished students and provides them with academic assistance. Access to these kinds of programs are especially critical for our low-income youth who are growing up on the wrong side of the achievement gap.

This discussion begs the question, then, when states are gutting the funds needed for public education, does it make sense for the federal government to cut programming for after-school programs? Should we really jeopardize opportunities for our youth to receive that personal attention they may need to achieve academically? This is precisely what is being discussed in Washington today. In an effort to reduce spending, some elected officials are looking to cut funds from the Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.

Most of the teachers in our public schools are wonderful, caring individuals; but as they try to teach more students, some are bound to fall between the cracks. They need us as much as we need them. If we are able to take a child and give them the tutoring they need, they will in turn be more productive in class, and everyone wins.

Help us make sure that everyone wins by contacting your representative and asking them not to cut funding for after school programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Let them know that budget cuts should not happen at the expense of our children's futures!

Fun Photo Friday: Exploring the Arts

2011-03-04T14:53:00.000-05:00

By: John, Age 16

Nine local Club kids, ages 6 to 16, completed works of art for the National Fine Arts Exhibition. This Boys & Girls Clubs of America program encourages artistic expression and honors works of vision and quality. To view highlights of the previous years' exhibitions visit: http://www.bgca.org/FineArts/default.aspx.

Be sure to check out the winner of the "Mixed Media" category in 2008, our very own Lausha C. from the West Side Club.

Here are some more pieces our youth recently submitted!

By: Zamira, Age 15

By: Benarrion, Age 6

The Luxury of Giving

2011-03-02T16:43:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite quotes is by George Elliot and says, "One must be poor to know the luxury of giving." While talking with our Youth of the Year today, I was reminded of this quote and suddenly understood a whole new dimension of the work we do here at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Kinyatta was excitedly telling me about her family outing the night before. Thanks to the generosity of ArcelorMittal, a founding supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, we had a suite at the WWE wrestling event. Kinyatta was given four tickets and could not believe her luck! Her younger brother, as it happens, has a birthday next week and has been talking non-stop about wanting to see the wrestling show. She was beaming from ear to ear, talking about how great she felt knowing that she could provide her brother with the one thing he truly wanted for his birthday. She went to the event with her mother and two brothers and they had an amazing time. Her brother told her all about the different wrestlers and gave her a play-by-play of each match. It was an experience they will all probably cherish for years to come.

It was while hearing her story that I realized the Boys & Girls Club provides so much more than just a safe place with hot meals and one-on-one tutoring. We are giving our kids so much more than just a basketball court and art classes. Sure, all of these things are a very important part of our work; but giving our kids the opportunity to GIVE to others is also a precious gift. Whether we are able to provide tickets to sporting events so kids can give their families a fun night out, or we are able to build them up through encouraging words so that they have the confidence to help others...we are showing them that most priceless of luxuries.

I have met so many of our members that have truly generous hearts. Despite living in conditions many of us could only imagine, they feel lucky. They have seen others give to make their lives better, and to be able to pay that forward to someone else gives them the greatest sense of accomplishment. I have seen older members take time out of a pool game to talk to a younger kid who seems upset. I have seen one child work diligently on a birthday card for another member. I have seen a hungry child share his meal with someone who seemed even hungrier. These things may seem trivial, but they are teaching our children that giving back is something we can all do for one another.

While I am sure the wealthier among us feel great when they have been able to help others, I agree with George Elliot; understanding what a luxury it can be to give is something only those who have been in need can probably genuinely comprehend.

Do You Have Enough?

2011-02-28T15:25:00.000-05:00

Guest Post By: Stephanie Bunsey

This Sunday during his homily, our priest asked, “Do you have enough?”

I began to think back to a story my aunt told me about my Grandma Dorie. My grandma grew up dirt poor in the hills of rural Virginia, back when children were only to speak when spoken to and when girls were second to boys. During especially lean times, my great-grandmother would feed the adults in the house before she’d feed the children. The adults, especially the men-folk, had to be sustained for their hard physical labor.

I imagined being my grandma as a child; smelling biscuits baking from scratch, mashed potatoes warming on the stove top, a roast finishing on the countertop, and knowing that if the grown-ups didn’t finish the meal, then I might be able to have a bite or two of what was left over. The physical pain of hunger couldn’t possibly measure the emotional pain of being denied the basic human need for food.

With that thought, my mind wandered to the kids we serve at the Boys & Girls Clubs. They often don’t have enough. They experience the same childhood hunger in inner-city Cleveland that my grandma suffered all those years ago in rural Virginia.

Meal Distribution at Broadway Club

The difference is that my grandma had nowhere to go to get help; the kids in Cleveland do! They have us! And we have a partnership with The Cleveland Foodbank that ensures that every young person who visits us will get to eat a solid meal that day, no restrictions. We are also sending some kids home with backpacks full of food for the weekend. We are lessening the pain of childhood hunger for these kids.

You know, children can’t help where or when or to whom they are born or control their environments, but we, as adults, can help where or when or whom we help, and we can change the lives of children, provided we have enough.

Do you have enough?

*For more information about volunteering or making a donation, visit www.clevekids.org

Fun Photo Friday: Snow and Baseball?

2011-02-25T16:16:00.000-05:00


Travis Hafner & Slider with Club Kids at Snow Days Holiday Party

On a snowy, blizzardy, day like today, why not look back on all the fun we had at our annual holiday party. Even though it was two months ago, there is still plenty of snow on the ground to remind us of that Winter Wonderland at Snow Days! For more Snow Days pictures, check out our Facebook page.

With spring training about to begin, we can also reflect upon the support we have received over the years from the Cleveland Indians, and especially Travis and Amy Hafner. Thanks to the Hafners, our Youth of the Year, Kinyatta, will have a $5,000 scholarship to get her started next fall. And as you can see from the picture above, Travis is never too busy to stop by and have some fun in the snow with our kids!

Making Financial Literacy Count

2011-02-23T16:50:00.000-05:00

Teaching youth financial literacy is a skill that is often overlooked, but in today's society, could not be more important. Giving kids the education and tools they will need to make sound financial decisions when they get their first job, start paying for college, and investing in their families is critical. With many of our youth coming from families that live in poverty and are often unemployed, learning how to set goals and manage their finances is not something they usually learn at home.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a program called Money Matters that is designed to promote financial responsibility and independence in teens. From October through November of last year, our Director of Finance and Administration, Chris West, ran Money Matters at our Mt. Pleasant Club. For five weeks, participants learned:

How taxes affect your paycheck;
Writing a check;
Assessing needs vs. wants when making purchases;
The importance of having and sticking to a budget;
Using credit;
Why saving is important;
Investing in the stock market;
Saving for and financing college, including navigating the dreaded financial aid process; and
Starting your own business- both the advantages and the drawbacks.

I think we could probably all use some more guidance in these areas! Teaching kids how to become successful does not end with just having book-smarts. To be a productive, responsible citizen, they also need to learn how to be a financially sound contributor to their communities!

The kids perhaps most enjoyed managing the class' actual budget of $210. In an attempt to most effectively utilize the funds, the group decided they would forgo purchasing pizza for every meeting, and instead use the money for incentives that would be given to those kids that had attended 4 out of the 5 classes!

The class culminated with an exciting tour of the Federal Reserve. At no cost, the field trip fit into the kids' budget!

Fun Photo Friday: Cleveland's Youth of the Year

2011-02-18T15:18:00.000-05:00

Kinyatta E.

At our Recognition Breakfast this morning, Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland named our 2011 Youth of the Year, Kinyatta, an honor roll student in her senior year at John Adams High School and a member of the Mt. Pleasant Club. Kinyatta told the audience the story of her struggles and the tremendous impact the Club has had on her life. Kinyatta has faced many challenges in her short life. At the age of 11, she and her family became homeless. For the two years her family had no place to call home, Kinyatta found a home of sorts in the Club. The building and the people inside of it became her lifeline as she endured with a child's resiliency during that time of uncertainty and fear. At the Club, she would eat what was usually her only meal of the day; she found a refuge from the outside world where she felt safe; she found caring adults and friends who were supportive and helpful; and, with our staff's help, she managed to do her homework every day, even though her mind was often occupied by worry. In the fall, Kinyatta will be heading to college where she plans to study to be a nurse. She is the perfect example that with determination and a guiding hand, dreams can come true!

Listen to Kinyatta's touching speech.

We also heard an inspiring speech from Tom Cook, Honorary BGCC Board Member and head of the Cleveland Association of Taco Bell Restaurants. He accepted the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of his team, and shared with the crowd why he believes the work of Boys & Girls Clubs is so important and why he has been a long time investor in our youth. You can listen to his full speech here.

Listen to Tom Cook's moving speech.

Dan Salamone, News Director of WOIO-19 Action News, was also on hand to accept the award for Media Partner of the Year. Dan was himself a former Club kid, and understands perhaps better than most, the important role it can play in the lives of Cleveland's youth.

While we know why the work we do is so critical to our communities, we also know that we could not do any of it without support of others. We are grateful to take this opportunity each year to recognize the success stories of our youth and at the same time, give a little something back to those that have given so much.

New Website Brings a New Look to the Club!

2011-02-14T16:33:00.000-05:00

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland has officially launched our new website. Check out www.clevekids.org and take a tour today. Some highlights include:

Kids Corner-where you can find work produced by Club kids.
Success Stories-read about our kids that are making a mark on their Clubs and in their communities!
Learn more about who we are and what we do.
Find links to all of our social media sites.
Invest in the future of Cleveland's youth with a tax-deductible gift.
Find out how you can get involved as a volunteer.
Check the Calendar to see what exciting events are coming up.
Sign up for an ENewsletter......and much more!

A special thanks to the Saint Luke's Foundation who made the new website possible with a Make It Stick! grant award.

Reflections on my Internship at the Boys & Girls Club

2011-02-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

Guest Post By: Samantha Martin

I am so fortunate to have gained an internship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland. I'm learning so much about event planning, area partners, fundraising, and all of the important programs that the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland offer. I’m getting great experience through hands-on work, and the internship is reassuring my future goal of working in nonprofits.

However, hearing about gang feuds and shootings within blocks of the building where I'm inside working, is frightening. I'm from a rural area, and the thought of gang violence is almost surreal to me; it’s only seen on TV. I began to worry about my safety while I walked out to my car after I was finished for the day.

Then I realized… I have the luxury to leave. Most people don't. This is an issue area residents have to deal with on a daily basis. Families worry about the dangers of going to school or work, and young men try to ignore the pressures of joining a gang.

The President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, Ron Soeder, sat down with me and explained some reasons why youth may become affiliated with a gang. One example, he stated, is a breakdown or separation in the family; the gang gives a sense of belonging that replaces a cohesive family unit. Another reason may be poverty—children may have no monetary support in their home, or they may not be able to find an “honest job,” so joining a gang is just a simple way to make money.

He also clarified that Cleveland is not the only city dealing with street gangs; it is a problem nationwide. The Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention is a federal department that specializes in anti-gang strategies. The OJJDP works to control gang activity through enforcement and intervention and by utilizing local resources such as the Greater Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance. The Peacemakers are made up several organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland.

The Peacemakers assist the police with their efforts by providing an outreach team to work one-on-one with at-risk youth. The outreach workers utilize the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland to develop relationships with these young adults by helping them stay in school, acting as mentors, and working to improve their job skills. They do whatever they can to keep them from participating in gang activities.

Even though this may sound like the plot of a television drama, this is real life. Children and young adults in this area, and across the country, are pressured to join gangs everyday. It's scary to think about, but it only shows how important it is to reach out to children and teens. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland are working hard everyday to help children make positive decisions. Through this internship opportunity, I’m also learning some things I may not be able to put down on my resume, such as the importance of giving a little time to help a child set goals and succeed. Such simple efforts can truly change their life for the better.

How do we get our young men to respect women when their heroes don't?

2011-02-07T19:01:00.000-05:00

With the football season culminating yesterday in the most-watched sporting event in America, I started thinking about the Steelers' front-man, Ben Roethlisberger. We have all heard about the incident he was involved in last year. And yet, here stood a man in one of the most coveted positions in all of football who had committed a violent act against a young woman. Does he really deserve to be a hero to our young boys simply because he is a gifted athlete? What can we tell our boys about respecting women when a seemingly endless list of professional athletes and celebrities not only get away with disrespecting others, but are able to retain their fame and fortune in the process?

It was quite apropos then, that the following Huffington Post article showed up in my Facebook newsfeed this morning: "What to Say to Boys and Young Men About Big Ben." I think the article gives some great examples of ways to use this as a "teachable moment" and show our boys that "might does not make right."

In a world where heroes sometimes exhibit behavior that is decidedly unheroic, we need to make sure our young men understand that true strength comes from protecting and caring for those around us. At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, we have partnered with the Rape Crisis Center to offer the Men of Strength program. Several of our Clubs have participated in this program that aims to teach our young men what it means to be a "strong man." The program is centered on prevention among a population of youth that are at a higher risk of not only experiencing domestic violence, but also going on to become a perpetrator themselves.

Another program aimed at prevention and education is Passport to Manhood. Young men ages 11 to 14 are taken on a personal journey of growth and maturation. Participants engage in service activities, are given leadership training, and have the opportunity to openly discuss any issue with trusted mentors.

I would encourage everyone to use this opportunity to have an open and honest discussion about the consequences Ben Roethlistberger's actions have had, not only on the reputation of his team, but also for the young woman that was his victim. Our sons need to understand that it is those men who respect those around them and use their talents to empower others that are truly deserving of our admiration. They are the real heroes!

Fun Photo Friday: The Lone Smokestack

2011-02-04T19:05:00.000-05:00

Worsted Mills, 1951

Fire Burning at Mill

Cleveland Worsted Mill was founded in 1878, and during the height of production, employed many of immigrants that had settled in Slavic Village. In July of 1993 the Mill burned to the ground in one of the worst fires Cleveland had ever seen. After the land was cleared, a barren field languished in the heart of the Slavic Village for nearly a decade. When the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland started looking for land to build a new Club that could replace their aging Broadway facility, the old Mill site provided a perfect location. The City of Cleveland donated the land to the Club, and in 2002 a brand new Broadway Boys & Girls Club opened!

A smokestack, the only thing that survived the Worsted Mill fire, is a constant reminder to the community of the hope that can survive.

It Takes A Village...

2011-02-03T14:43:00.000-05:00

We have all heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child," but have we ever stopped to think about what we mean by "village." In his book, "Come on People," Bill Cosby asks this exact question. Of course we mean the village is everyone in the community, coming together to take care of not only each other, but also our children. But I started to think about Cleveland as the "village," and wondered how many people actually picture the responsibility they bear in this collective village? How many people stop and ask themselves, "what can I do to make my community a better place?"

So many of our communities are plagued by a chronic case of apathy. It is much easier to assume that someone else will take care of it. I am sure we have all thought at one point..."I would love to help others but I am really busy with my own life. Someone else that has more time and is more committed to the cause will take care of it." Or perhaps, even worse, many people don't think about the problems our communities face at all!

I know it can be overwhelming to focus on the plethora of challenges that exist out there. Just looking at the uphill battle we face in Cleveland alone can discourage even the most committed of hearts. Our infrastructure is aging, our schools are struggling to educate our children, and too many of our youth are fighting and dying on the streets. There is hunger, high unemployment, and the list could go on. But we can't forget that there is also hope and progress in our city. Imagine what would happen if everyone in our collective village came together to realize the dream of a better future and tackle these problems.

Many of our fellow villagers are already out there, banding together to build a brighter future. One such collaboration is making strides in serving all of our youth, from the time they are young until they graduate from high school. MyCom: My Commitment, My Community, is a support system funded by The Cleveland Foundation, Saint Luke's Foundation, the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland. It exposes our youth to different arts and recreational opportunities, connects them with mentors and critical support services, and provides them with the tools to take a role in leading change within their own communities. It aims to bring together the various agencies and organizations that serve youth so that gaps can be identified and filled, giving our kids the chance they deserve to have healthy and productive childhoods.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland is a proud partner in MyCom. At several of our Clubs, our teens receive leadership training and learn how to address the problems faced by their neighbors and friends. They are learning that they can't wait for someone else to come along and solve your problems; THEY are the village.

For more information about MyCom: My Commitment, My Community, check out this informative brochure.

Why Afterschool Programs Matter

2011-01-31T17:02:00.000-05:00

When many people think about education, they immediately think about kids sitting in a classroom with a teacher, raising their hands to answer questions, and taking tests. But learning does not have to stop when the dismissal bell rings...nor should it. This is especially true for our inner-city youth.

I am sure we all remember getting home from school, happy to be free from the confines of the classroom, only to find mom or dad directing you to your bedroom to finish your homework. No playing and no watching television until all of the homework is completed and checked. As a child, this was probably frustrating. However, now as an adult, we can all thank our parents for placing such a high value on education.

Now imagine a different reality. You come home from school to find your mother either not home or busy watching television. Perhaps she came in late last night from partying with her friends. She doesn't make you do your homework. She probably doesn't even ask if you have any. You are free to hang out with your friends and play video games. You are likely not going to do the homework on your own because you struggle with reading and don't quite understand what the teacher wants from you. You are already performing below grade level, and will likely just drop out once you reach high school because it is more lucrative to make money on the streets. There you can see an immediate return on your investment. If you make it to your 18th birthday without being arrested, it will be a miracle. Friends will die from violence around you, and every day you will be exposed to substance abuse, as you have been since before you could comprehend your surroundings.

This bleak scenario does not have to be the reality of all of our inner-city children. Studies have shown that structured afterschool programs with caring adults can dramatically alter a child's future. Boys & Girls Clubs around America are truly a beacon of light and opportunity for poor children in rural and urban communities. They partner with a variety of organizations to offer the highest quality programs that research has shown to be effective at increasing achievement levels and building confidence.

One such collaboration with the Department of Education has resulted in 21st Century Community Learning Centers in many Clubs nationwide, including our school sites at Charles Eliot and Walton. Part of the "No Child Left Behind" act, the 21st Century program is the only federal funding source dedicated to afterschool programming, and is specifically geared towards students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools. Designed to complement the academic programs in schools, 21st Century provides services such as drug and violence prevention, counseling, art and music, and programs in technology, recreation, education, and character development. Performance studies have shown that youth who go to a 21st Century Center on a regular basis improve their reading and math scores by an average of 43% and 49%, respectively. This gives kids who need it most the extra instruction, one-on-one attention, and guidance to become successful students, and ultimately, productive citizens.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland is proud to provide opportunities to extend the learning day through our 21st Century sites, as well as our traditional Club locations. Through programs like Power Hour, Project LEARN, and our arts and recreational programming, we are showing kids that learning and fun go hand in hand. Won't you join us? Volunteer to change a child's life today and help ensure that our inner-city kids have every opportunity to succeed!

For more information about volunteering visit www.clevekids.org.
For more information about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, visit http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/.

Fun Photo Friday: Fighting Hunger with a BackPack

2011-01-28T15:53:00.000-05:00

Every Friday we like to share a photo of something fun, informative, or otherwise interesting about what is happening in our Clubs!

This week the Broadway Club has launched Feeding America's "BackPack for Kids" program. With the majority of our kids living at or below the poverty line, hunger is a daily struggle. We are able to meet this need on weekdays by providing a hot meal at each of our Clubs. But what about the weekends?

Now, 100 of our neediest kids at the Broadway Club will get to take home a backpack with nutritious food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to a partnership with the Cleveland Foodbank, we can be sure that more of our kids are getting the food they need on the weekends so they can start the next week off right.

Boa Tarde: Brazilian Students Visit Broadway Boys & Girls Club

2011-01-26T19:45:00.000-05:00

On Friday, the Broadway Boys & Girls Club hosted the Brazilian Youth Ambassadors who were visiting the city as part of a program from the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. The Brazilian students were in Cleveland for two weeks visiting attractions, learning about local government, and engaging with the community. To learn more about civic engagement and the role teens can play in giving back, eight ambassadors spent an afternoon with Club kids. The visit started with a tour and a Q&A session with Club Director, Jeff Haynes. Then the group gathered in the library to lead a Portuguese language lesson for several of our youth. The afternoon ended with the ambassadors meeting with teens from Broadway's Keystone Club to learn about how that group organizes their efforts and leads community service projects.

"Our kids had a great time meeting the Brazilian Youth Ambassadors," said Jeff Haynes. "This is the second time we have hosted an international group, and we know our members are getting a lot out of the opportunity. Many of our kids do not give much thought to what is beyond the boundaries of their neighborhoods, let alone in a different country. This is a great way for them to meet someone from a different culture and broaden their horizons a little more."

A special thanks to Gina Cirino of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs for organizing the event!