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!

The Luxury of Giving

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.

It Takes A Village...

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.

Boa Tarde: Brazilian Students Visit Broadway Boys & Girls Club

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!