Headed in the Right Direction

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?

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

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?

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"

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.