Reflections on my Internship at the Boys & Girls Club

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.