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

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

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

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

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?

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

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!

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!

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

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

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.