Op-ed: Looking to help kids? Join the Club
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I recently left my full-time position at the newspaper and dived into a new adventure -- the nonprofit world.
I am now the resource development director with the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg and despite my brief time there, I can see it is filled with a group of genuinely passionate people who advocate for kids every day and deeply care about them.
Other than the few times I covered the Club during my years as a reporter, I didn't know a lot about the ins and outs of the Boys & Girls Club, but I've quickly learned its lasting impact on children.
I've been able to sit down and talk with alumni and each one of them mentioned skills, friendships and qualities they developed at the Club that they carried with them into adulthood.
When I hear the fun chaos of the games room, see kids having a blast in the pool or sneaking away to play a quick game, I feel like I'm a kid again and it's the best feeling. Having that opportunity every day at my job is certainly a blessing.
Growing up, my sister and I would have been the target market to become Club kids because we grew up with a single mom who was a substitute teacher. Our grandparents lived only a mile away and were able to put us on the bus in the mornings and hang out with us after school until Mom got home.
I wouldn't trade those experiences and time with them for the world, but it's nice knowing there would have been another option if we weren't lucky enough to be so close to my grandparents (shoutout to Grandma Ruth and Grandad Cliff, the two best people I know).
When Club kids walk through the door, they are immediately met with a smiling face and a trusted adult who deeply cares about their wellbeing. For the first part of the evening, they have their choice of where they want to go, whether it be the games room or the gym.
At 4 p.m. every day, the whole club gathers in the gym for an assembly where the Youth Development Professionals lead a community builder activity which could either include something like a staff versus Club member tug-of-war or a follow-the-leader game.
Afterward, Club kids can choose where to go for the evening. The Club offers targeted programming which is created by Boys & Girls Clubs of America and offers lessons in topics like forming healthy habits or developing a career. If they choose to attend targeted programming, they earn Club Bucks, which can be cashed in for prizes.
They can also choose tutoring, swimming, the games room or computer lab. As expected, the pool is a big hit, and the kids absolutely love it. I know I'd be jumping in that pool as often as I could if I were them.
Club kids are fed dinner and a snack every day and if they come during the summer, they eat all three meals at the Clubhouse. I didn't realize this was offered until I started working there and I'm so grateful there is more help there to combat food insecurity.
Part of my job is to try and bring in funding and grants to make sure these programs can continue and grow. Our CEO Lynn Reins has big dreams for the future and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to help make them happen.
One of the exciting things we have going on is the celebration of our 60th anniversary. To keep our programs running and growing for the next 60+ years, we are aiming to raise $60K in 60 Days. We have a couple of generous estate donations that will match your contributions dollar for dollar. Check out our Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg Facebook page for more updates and how to donate.