Olivet Boys & Girls Club Capital Campaign, Reading, PA

SAVING

OUR KIDS

OUR COMMUNITY AND

OUR FUTURE

Capital e h t y b f ed Board o Approv w e i v e R gn .

Campai nty, Inc u o C s k r Be

Dear Friend, We would like you to meet four of our kids from Olivet Boys & Girls Clubs.

They agreed to tell us their personal stories and we decided to share them with you because they are fairly typical of the kids who come through our doors. They found the club and together we found ways to help them reach their goals. They are simply kids whose circumstances make reaching their dreams a little tougher than most.

We are approaching you today because we would like to reach even more kids in the very same manner. Our hope is that you partner with us in that undertaking. Throughout the year 2013, we will be enlisting the support of our friends to reach the goals of Olivet Boys & Girls Club’s Capital and Capacity-Building Campaign. The Capital Campaign will allow us to build a facility in the underserved neighborhoods near Pendora Park. Capacity is needed to sustain all of our Club’s needs during a time in which our kids’ poverty levels are rising and public grant-funding to our programs is drying up.

Ultimately, our vision is to have a Club within walking distance of every child for whom there is a need, and to double the number of kids served over the next five years, thus reaching more than half the kids in the city of Reading.

There are practical motivations for this vision. We feel the expansion of our services impacts everyone in the community, whether they are aware of it or not. Reading was recently named one of the most impoverished cities in America. As we all know, poverty affects the children first. If these kids grow up without a dramatic change of circumstances, our entire community will continue to spiral downward. This is not an opinion. It is born out by research. And it is easy to observe when traveling through our inner city.

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club keeps kids in school. About 92% of our kids graduate with their original ninth grade class. The economic implications of dropping out are well-researched - lower wages and family earnings result in a heavier reliance on public assistance and trouble with the law. The huge economic return of more kids graduating is their escape from these challenges, which benefits our whole community.

A recent New Jersey study indicated that for every dollar invested in Club activities, there is a $15 positive economic benefit to the community. Your support makes a huge difference!

Whatever reason you choose to support this effort, please remember that our goal helps to support the kids’ goals.

Changing one life for the better is noteworthy. But, it is far short of our ultimate goal of saving our kids, our community, and our future.

Warmest regards,

“Children are the liv

messages we send to

Sue Perrotty General Co-Chair

Chris Kraras General Co-Chair

time we will not see.”

ing

a

--John W. Whitehead

Our

NEW CLUB AT PENDORA PARK

Olivet Boys & Girls Club has been providing programs in East Reading at 13th & Perkiomen since 1998 in the former Temple Oheb Shalom donated by Paul Kozloff. The facility no longer meets our needs. We are limited in the number of youth we can serve in an aging building with high operating costs, no gymnasium and no off-street parking. We anticipate expanding the number of youth served from the current limit of 200 to more than

Proposed Pendora Park Site Rendering

500 in the proposed Pendora Club.

With our approved Capital Campaign, we

We also have challenged ourselves

seek to raise a total of $3 million to build

to build our capacity to serve more

a new full-service facility for the children

children in the city of Reading.

in southeast Reading. This effort will also

Our intention is to double our

provide funding for other capital needs

membership over the next five

of Olivet Boys & Girls Clubs, including a

years. To that end we have set

new roof at the Oakbrook Club, new HVAC

an ambitious goal of raising $5

at the PAL Club, dam renovations at our

million over the next five years

Blue Mountain Camp, and new vehicles to

for program expansion, outreach

transport our members.

efforts and building

“The tes

of a soci

does for

t of a mo

ety is wh

its child

rality

at it

ren.”

--Dietri ch Bonh oeffe German theologia n 1906-19 45

partnerships.

f the as one o

h Reading tages of n e c r e p highest ow ving bel i l s t n e resid l in rty leve e v o p e h t a.

Americ

If we double the number of kids we serve - we fully bel ieve we can save R eading’s futu re.

We would like thank Kim, Myrna, Giovanni, Adrian, and Mya for their stories and a special thank you to Ed Kopicki for his professional photography services.

l: Our GoaSAVING OUR KIDS, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FUTURE

Kim

KIMBERL Y POLANK O’S GOAL “I

: never want to worry about fi n ances for my family like m y father worr ie d . Becoming a practitioner w nurseill help me su pport them w time comes.” hen the

MEET

KIM

To find out mo re abou website t Kim o go to: h n ou ttp://oli CapitalC vetbgc.o r ampaig rg/ n/index .html.

ess Club ollege Acc The 2012 C yrna urround M members s em in mentors th o h w s h c u F ge search their colle

Our

ACADEMIC SUCCESS STORY

With nearly 82% of Olivet Club members

“I am not just trying to find them a colleg e,” states Myrna, I am tr ying to change their entire lives.”

coming from households at or below the poverty level, the prospects for attending college, or even just graduating high school can be challenging. But the Olivet

--Myrna Fuchs College Access Adm inistrator

Boys & Girls Club meets this challenge head-on with programs that engage members and help them realize the value and purpose of education.

That’s why 92% of 12th grade club members graduated with their original ninth grade class in 2012. In this same year, the local city graduation rate was only 62%.

But the Club goes even further, providing an innovative program to assist students in navigating continuing education opportunities. The College Access Program is free to club members and provides a channel for students to receive professional advice, visit colleges, and

Myrna Fuchs, the College Access Program Administrator, gave Kim the personal time, attention and advice that Kim could not get from her school. “I have a passion for helping these kids; I want them to go to a school that will change their lives.”

That passion and dedication worked.

Kim won admission to Moravian, secured additional funding from the college, and entered her freshman year in the fall of 2012. And she’s not alone – 91% of the kids who participated in the College Access Program are enrolled in a 2 or 4 year degree program.

even have application fees waived.

The program is not just about finding a college – it’s about changing a kid’s life.

One such life is Kim Polanko’s, a member of Olivet’s Mulberry Street Club. Kim

92%

of “OLIVET CLUB KIDS” graduate from High School verses 61% of NON-MEMBER PEERS of the SAME NEIGHBORHOOD.

comes from a large family and had challenges funding her educational goals.

Kim decided to participate in the College

Olivet Club Members

Access Program. “There is no way I would have been able to go to college without all the help Olivet’s offered me,” says Kim. Non-Members

i n n a Giov

ONE OF GIOVANNI OR TIZ’S GOALS:

To play Carnegie Hall and ma ke the price of admission a generous donatio n to a worthy cause.

I

IOVANN

MEET G

ni on out Giovan b a re o m t c.org/ To find ou ://olivetbg p tt h : to o eg our websit x.html. paign/inde m a CapitalC

Our

GOOD CHARACTER & CITIZENSHIP STORY

Giovanni Ortiz is an incredibly talented

“He had this id ea in his head th at he wanted to give a lot of food to Opportunity House, but I h to explain to him ad ‘how do we do th a t if have money to we don’t buy the food or a ca r to collect it?’

Even when I told him that, he co uldn’t give up it -- he wouldn on ’t let go of the id ea.”

-- Yvette Garcia , Giovanni’s mot her

11 year old boy, with skills for guitar, violin and piano that rival those of his instructors.

In 2011, he was also homeless.

“I ran out of money. I couldn’t pay my utility bill,” his mother, Yvette recalls.

Having no family nearby she was on her own to manage this crisis. “I called the shelter and they told me they had room for me if I could come right away. I had no time to think about it.”

While the family still struggles financially, they now live in a pretty row home near the Opportunity House Shelter that helped them through a difficult time.

But a significant impression was left on Giovanni from the experience, and he knew he wanted to give back to the place that helped his family.

“At the Olivet Boys & Girls Club, they teach us to treat others as we want to be treated,” says Giovanni. With this ‘Golden

So much donated food was collected from performances that a cargo van was needed to transport all of it to the Opportunity House.

But Giovanni remains humble. And inspired. “I just like helping people.

Now I’m thinking, why not do it more and more?”

Giovanni’s story is just one brilliant example of how the Olivet Boys & Girls Club fosters an environment of community awareness. In fact, 70% of Club members say they feel a responsibility to give back to the community.

Rule’ in mind, he devised a way to make a difference for the families at the shelter.

Through his participation in the Club’s production of the musical, “Annie,”

86%

76%

of Club Members say the Club helps them STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE.

say the Club helps them DO THINGS THEY COULD NOT DO BEFORE.

Giovanni suggested that the free performance have an admission fee: one canned good for the Opportunity House.

The suggestion was met with great enthusiasm from the staff, fellow Club members and the community as a whole.

86%

76%

Adrian

ADRIAN PEREZ’

S GOAL:

To finish his degree in social work and insp ire kids in the manner in which he was inspired at the Olivet Boys & Girl s Club.

MEET ADRIAN

t Adrian on our To find out more abou ivetbgc.org/ website go to: http://ol tml.

CapitalCampaign/index.h

Our

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES STORY

When Adrian Perez arrived in Reading as a child of seven he rarely left the house on his own. He came to this country with his mother and two younger sisters and moved into a house in the Oakbrook Housing development of Reading. His mother’s solution to keep her children safe, in what she decided was a very risky neighborhood, was to keep them all inside.

Adrian’s m other’s sol ution to kee safe, in wh p her child at she decid ren e d w neighborho as a very r od, was to isky keep them “My mothe all inside. r was stric t about lea She wanted ving the ho to keep me use. off the stre have any p et so I wou roblems.” ldn’t

”My mother was strict about leaving the house. She wanted to keep me off the street so I wouldn’t have any problems.”

As the only man of the house, Adrian feels a responsibility to protect his two sisters,

The neighborhood risks were real. He tells

Zuryan, 17 and Zurica, 12. “They look up

stories of friends not graduating from high

to me. If I fail they will be more willing to

school, some going to jail or worse. “I had

fail. I really want to make my Mom proud,

one friend who was involved in a drug

too. I don’t want her to have worries.”

game. He was shot and killed,” Adrian recalls sadly.

Adrian is double majoring in social work and political science. Eventually he sees

A buddy told Adrian about Olivet when

himself doing work with kids. “I’d really

he was fifteen. He joined and made up

like to help kids like Nick helped me. He’s

for lost time by throwing himself into

just a great guy. I want to be like that.”

club activities. “I am social; the club was comfortable and made me feel good. I was really grateful for the opportunity.”

In addition to basketball, he became a member of the Keystone Club; he ran the concession stand and helped with kid’s café. According to Unit Director and mentor, Nick Nazario, “He has always displayed leadership qualities. He has strong beliefs about not messing with drugs and alcohol,” a trait he shares with 91% percent of his fellow club members.

The qualities were abundant at LEAP leadership camp where, as a teen leader, he conducted a workshop to assist peers in the pressure of adolescence.

91%

85%

91% of Club Members

85% say Club members

AVOID ALCOHOL, TOBACCO and OTHER DRUGS.

say they are MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

Mya

MYA EAS

ON’S GO

AL: To be an Ear ly-Childhoo d Teacher in order to im prove the liv es of young childr en.

y of ris surve r a H a n I irls Club G d n a s Boy id r 57% sa e v o i n Alum e experienc b u l c r i e th ir lives. saved the

MEET

MYA

To find out mo re abou website t Mya o go to: h n ou ttp://oli CapitalC vetbgc.o r ampaig rg/ n/index .html.

Our

SAFE PLACE STORY

Mya Eason is a girl who does not like to sit still. Her reasons for coming to Olivet every day are simple. “I love coming here because it’s just a great place to be when I don’t want to be at home. I can do arts and crafts, I can do my homework, I can see all my friends, I can just get out of

“It gets da rk fast and it’s just no then I com t safe out, e to Olivet and and it’s a play and ju positive pl st hang ou ace to t with frie food, and nds, talk, just be act eat ive.”

the house.”

--Mya Ea

son

Although only 12 years old, Mya knows about the dangers of the streets. “It gets dark fast, and it’s just not safe out. Every day I hear something on the news about someone being killed or raped – it’s unbelievable and barbaric.”

But because of the club, there’s a safe haven for Mya and other kids in her neighborhood. “When I come to Olivet, it’s a positive place to play, just hang out with friends, talk, eat food and just be active. At the club, I feel so safe.” And she’s not alone, 80% of club members attend the club because they feel safe.

Mya doesn’t just enjoy the benefits of the safety offered by the club – she actively shares her passion for staying drug- and alcohol-free with fellow club members through Berks Pride, an Olivet performance group that teaches kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol use by performing skits. “We teach kids to not mess up your body with drugs and alcohol. You’re messing up your future. It’s not even cool. I think the coolest people are the ones who don’t do that stuff.”

Physical safety is just one aspect of how the Olivet Club is a safe place.

Mya credits the caring and committed staff of the Club with creating a warm, emotionally safe environment. “The Club is a second home to a lot of kids whose home situation isn’t very good. There are positive staff members who, when you’re not feeling very good, ask you what’s wrong. They want to help you out.”

86%

83%

86% of Club Members say

83% are better at saying

the Club helped them FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES.

NO TO THINGS THEY KNOW ARE WRONG.

During the most recent academic year, the Olivet Boys & Girls Club provided programs and services to more than 4,000 inner-city kids ages 6-18 through seven clubs located in the City of Reading, concentrating on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Priority Outcomes Areas: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, Good Character and Citizenship During the summer months Olivet operates a variety of innovative Camps, from nature and sporting programs at Olivet’s Blue Mountain Camp to swimming programs at the Clinton Street Club, and even theater and music camps at the PAL Center for the Arts. These summer programs provide fun, safe, developmental activities for over 700 youth while providing an alternative to costly childcare services for many struggling parents.

The majority of our members (82%) are from low-income or below-povertylevel families living in Reading. Their access to safe and supportive programs that encourage education, life skill development, character development, and arts and culture is either limited or unavailable. All seven Olivet Clubhouses are located in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and have become dependable, safe and nurturing havens for city youth and their families, who face a wide range of socio-economic challenges on a daily basis.

Poverty affects our children disproportionately, and Olivet programs give hope to children who desperately need it. Shrinking tax revenues, high unemployment, low educational attainment and crime within the city adversely impact inner-city families. Poor nutrition, childhood obesity, elevated highschool dropout rates, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, single parent families, and negative influences on the streets are all components of poverty that impact our children.

Our goal is to double the n umber of children s erved. With your help we can reach that goal.

OUTCOMES AND ASPIRATIONS:

Our measures of success

✔✔ 92% of Olivet Boys & Girls Club members who went through high school with their original freshman year class graduated from high school, compared to only 52% of students in cities with similar demographics. ✔✔ 88% of elementary school participants increased their academic performance or maintained their good grades. ✔✔ 68% of secondary school Club members improved or maintained good grades. ✔✔ 66% of Club members spend more time on homework. ✔✔ 83% of Club members indicated that they “try harder in school.” ✔✔ 71% of Club members surveyed expressed more interest in going to school. ✔✔ 90% of our members expect to graduate from high school ✔✔ 84% of our members aged nine to eighteen expect to be placed in trade schools, two year or four year learning institutions after graduation

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club surrounds kids with positive role models and welldeveloped programs that encourage them to “dream” again about a positive future.

Our club leaders create a culture of positive thinking that empowers, and our programs set high expectations for our youth to achieve their dreams, which enhances their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem. Club members clearly understand that there is a direct correlation between success and hard work, resulting in empowerment rather than entitlement as their path forward.

www.olivetbgc.org

SAVING OUR KIDS, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FUTURE