 I love my job and knowing that we´re making a difference in our members’ lives. I truly believe that the Boys & Girls Club has a great impact on our community and its children. We´re helping to shape their future and that´s awesome! ... Read More
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TestimonialsI love my job and knowing that we´re making a difference in our members’ lives. I truly believe that the Boys & Girls Club has a great impact on our community and its children. We´re helping to shape their future and that´s awesome! -Brook, Youth Development Specialist
I knew I wanted to have a career with Boys & Girls Clubs when I moved back to Kansas City after college. I ran into one of my old club members who was in her senior year of high school. She and I talked a lot about her future and she told me she was applying to Norfolk State University. I was shocked because that’s my alma mater. She told me if that school was good enough for me, then that is where she wanted to go. She basically told me how much I inspired and motivated her and her friends. I spent a lot of time with them when I worked for the club and I became her confidant. Just knowing I had that much influence on her and she made decisions based on what she thought I’d do, made me realize just how rewarding working with children can be. -Niki, Boys & Girls Clubs Alum and Director of Operations I came back to the Boys & Girls Clubs in January of 2006 as a volunteer through a class I was taking at the University of Akron. I enjoyed being here so much I actually did more than the hours needed for my course requirement. I was offered the opportunity to take a position as youth development staff and now, a year later, I am the school services coordinator. I’ve been asked why I decided to come back and my reply is, “I never left the Boys & Girls Clubs.” I just took a little break because you never fully leave something you love.
I love the Club. The Christmas gifts were awesome. I got to go to my first hockey game at the Quicken Loans arena. What a blast! Thank you so much for all you do!
The Boys & Girls Clubs is a safe place for kids to participate in many activities. My daughter has the opportunity to be involved in team sports, music and instruments, games and art activities. Homework time/help is provided on a daily basis, as well as field trips to events I cannot afford. Several family times/participation are scheduled each year.
The staff genuinely cares about each child as an individual and they continually encourage the kids to grow and learn. There is a deep, on-going commitment to cooperation, teamwork and treating all of the club members as a “family.” The staff is always available to parents and other family members.
I never worry while my daughter is at the Club, because I know she is in a safe, nurturing environment.
-Kate, Parent
I like the Boys & Girls Club because it gives me something to do. I like to play basketball. We have a computer lab that is really fun. I like the staff because they are really nice. Some of the other kids are nice too. I come here because my mom works late. That is why I like the Club. -Michael, 13
The Club is absolutely a positive place for kids, but it is also a comforting place for parents. My children and I currently live in a low-income housing complex that has its share of troubles. Gangs, drugs, teenage pregnancies, and school flicking are just a few of the problems we face living in this particular environment. That is why my children have been Club members for over 3 years. It gives me a peace of mind to know that my children are somewhere safe after school and during the summer. I have a 15 year old daughter whom I’ve watched grow into a responsible, helpful, caring young lady and I can truly say that some of that nurturing has come through the staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve. I have a 12 year old son that I was very concerned about because he is at the age where he can easily be influenced by material gain, the kind a person can get doing illegal things, so the Club is sort of a street intervention for him. He can go and do fun things with other youth in his age group that will keep him out of trouble. My 9 year old son was very selfish at one time, being the youngest of 8. But the club has taught him that sharing can be great. Now he seems to look for ways to be kind and helpful to others. Although I try to offer my time in any way I can to support the Club, I could never give them back what they have given to me and my family. A place for my children to go and grow and peace of mind for me knowing that they are involved in something so positive. I truly respect all of the work and time that the staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs and all its donors are pouring into my community and I pray that they all will be divinely blessed. -Victoria, parent
People ask me all the time why Boys & Girls Clubs are different. We´re different |
