Foundations
Fall 2014
When School’s Out, Many Kids Have Nowhere To Go As an estimated five million elementary and secondary Canadian students head back to school, families are focused on classroom supplies, course schedules and new teachers. But for 15 percent of children between ages 6 and 12, an essential element is missing from the conversation. For these children, back to school means back to fending for themselves after school. This can be a concern for their safety, but it’s also a concern for their future. We know that how children spend their time between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. is critical to achieving their full potential in life. Those who are unsupervised after school are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, do poorly in school or be victimized. On the other hand, programs offered in the out-of-school hours can boost grades, lower dropout rates and reduce the opportunity gap. The positive effects of after-school programs also tend to persist for years and help young people stay on the path to success. Giving children a safe and fun place to go, where they feel accepted and supported, can mean the difference between a healthy, successful life or potential squandered. After school, young people need a safe place to experience new opportunities, overcome barriers and develop healthy relationships and skills for life. A structured and enriching environment keeps children out of harm’s way and points them in a positive direction. Boys and Girls Clubs offer children and youth a range of opportunities in more than 650 locations nationwide and our programs are accessible and affordable for all children. Other community organizations are doing this important work, too. After-school programs can change futures and transform communities. Kids need school supplies, but they also need a place to go after school for guidance, mentors and role models to help them to stay on track. Every afternoon, we have a chance to change Canada’s future. By Pam Jolliffe President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, representing 98 Boys and Girls Clubs that provide after school programs and other services to 200,000 children and youth in locations across Canada.
2015 will be year four for our urban adventure Race for Kids! Teams of four compete in a race to the finish line, completing up to 10 challenging checkpoints along the way. Challenges are designed for participants to have fun and test their mental and physical skills. Registration opens Dec 1, 2014. It is the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes Foundation to support the aims of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes by acquiring the necessary financial resources to meet local youth service needs.
After School Makes a Difference: Griffen’s Story (Our Homework Room is only one of the programs offered in After School) I am writing to you today to express my sincere gratitude to your staff and facility, in particular the “Homework Room”. My son Griffen has been attending the Club for ten years now. We were initially impressed by how smooth the transition was for Griffen when we first moved to Lindsay. This joy continued, while Griffen attended the Club, enjoying fun activities, wonderful staff, and a comfortable, safe environment. Most recently, in the last two years, Griffen has spent a great deal of time in your “Homework Room”. This started initially because he was struggling with Math at school and his father and I requested extra attention. As busy, working parents, we felt that the time we were spending assisting him with his homework was not an adequate amount. His desire to be successful in every class, paired with the struggles he was having to fully grasp the subject, were causing a great deal of stress on him and us. We were pleased to find the 4 After School program runs in 4 communities Homework Room was included in his membership and provided (Dunsford, Kirkfield, Coboconk, Lindsay) the assistance we were needing. With the guidance of your
After School Programs
staff, Griffen quickly improved his understanding of Math, and other subjects. He is now eager to do his homework and is very pleased with himself when he can tell us that it is already completed upon his arrival home. Not only did the room help with his grades and work ethic, but it also gives him a place where he feels safe and accepted. He is an athletic child who likes to play games also, but sometimes he needs to seperate himself and have quiet time to work. He enjoys expressing himself through stories and power point presentations and the Homework Room gives him the opportunity to do so. The staff are wonderful and they read each piece, giving him the validation he needs. Please express my gratitude to the entire staff, especially the Homework Room crew. Griffen just received, at his Grade 6 graduation, the Ontario Principal’s Leadership Award. He has many positive influences in his life that have directed him to be the strong, energetic young man he is today. The Club, and his leaders there, being some of them!
4 Total number of kids served in after school per day is about 220 Kids!
Programs include:
ççRookie League (Jays Care Baseball Program) * Lindsay ççHomework Program ççMusic Lessons *Lindsay ççBall Hockey Program ççCATCH (Getting Active and Healthy Eating Program) ççCrafty Corner ççPeak Indoor Climbing & Adventure Centre Homework Room The purpose of the Homework program is to provide opportunities for students to expand on learning, provide guidance with homework assignments, and for participants to receive assistance in reaching their academic potential. Taught by a qualified teacher.
Many Thanks, Jeanette Penney
When school’s out many kids have nowhere to go... You can help bring them
In From the Cold...
Watch for our campaign in the mail Dec 1st. Pay it Forward: And this year for every $150 you donate we will give “Nate” a gund bear to the Kawartha Lakes Police Service Bears on Patrol program making these friends available to officers to give to a child facing a crisis as well as to help brighten the Christmas of a child in our community. The bears were donated to us by Sears Canada through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada so no cost will come from your donation.
www.bgckl.com
Helping make the Club a good place to be
Infant & Child Development: Jacob’s Story Jacob was born at Mount Sinai hospital at 28 weeks gestation weighing only two and a half pounds. Jacob remained in hospital for 2 months where he was fed by tube and received oxygen. A premature birth is traumatic for all; a frightening and emotional journey. When expectations of a full-term bouncing baby are changed, the strength of relationships and supports systems are tested. Jacob and his young mom were referred to our Infant and Child Development program before he was actually scheduled to be born. Infant and Child Development provide a family centered therapeutic in home support program geared to child development. Out of this program, new support relationships are born. Jacob and his mother were also supported by Five Counties Children’s Centre and Healthy Babies/Healthy Children. Jacob and his mother are blessed to have strong family and friend supports who are always willing and able to do whatever is needed. Jacob has grown into a bright and enthusiastic 3 year old. His proud mother is a shining example of determination as she and Jacob meet challenges and win. Jacob’s story is one of many that reminds us that “it takes a village to raise a child”. I think it’s safe to say that not many people have an ongoing opportunity to learn each day that they enter the workplace. Infant development provides that. Families come in many packages and we become part of that package; learning and growing, sharing their fears, successes, joy and sadness. It is not always easy. Sometimes the emotion gets the best of you, both happy and sad, but the trend of everyday learning remains. Along with that learning comes an amazing opportunity to grow and learn as an individual, become a better person, become a better support to our families, our own personal growth and development. That is what keeps us where we are. Congratulations Ashley and Jacob, I am proud to watch you both grow. Thank you for being part of Infant and Child Development. Kari Kelsey Everything is different when your baby is 14 weeks early. All the timelines Early Interventionist, are off. You don’t know what to expect or when. I had to learn about Infant & Child Development Jacob’s health issues and recognize symptoms and his need for immediate emergency care. I looked so forward to Kari’s visits! She would bring Jacob new toys to play with and activities to help him meet his developmental milestones. She helped with developing his fine motor skills like holding a marker or a spoon. Jacob wouldn’t be where he is today if it wasn’t for Kari’s help. It was so amazing having the help for Jacob but also emotional support for me and a friend I could trust with my feelings and struggles. Jacob is three now and will be starting school next Sept. He has now been discharged from 5 Counties and Healthy Babies as well. He knows his shapes and colours and is quite a character. Jacob and I both miss Kari’s visits but are so grateful for the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Infant Development Program. I don’t know what we would have done without them! (L-R) Ashley, Jacob, Kari Thank you, Ashley (Jacob’s mom)
President’s Message
Emily Avery-Graves, BGCKL Foundation Board President
Greetings on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. We continue to support our Club Staff and many volunteers with our annual fundraising events and initiatives. A highlight this summer was the celebration of the 20th anniversary Jeff Beukeboom Charity Classic golf tournament. Through the generosity of the Beukeboom family and the support of participants, this event has provided a substantial financial contribution to the Club. We also thank those who participated and supported rd our 3 annual Race for Kids as well as the Kelli Mitchell annual ball tournament and mailing. An important upcoming campaign is our “In from the Cold”, which highlights the important role of the Club in providing a fun and safe place for kids in our community. As we approach the holiday season, a great way to share holiday wishes with friends and family is by donating a gift on their behalf that will have a lasting impact. There are opportunities to give through our traditional mailing but also a dedicated site to support and encourage online pledges. The result of these fundraising efforts is the ability to provide financial support for the broad scope of services provided by the Club. The addition of the Warehouse Youth Centre last summer has enhanced the services provided to our older youth. The Centre provides them access to a variety of targeted programming focused on health and wellness as well as training and skills development. The programs and services provided at the Club continually demonstrate a positive impact on youth in our community. It is an exciting time for the Club as we witness the continued expansion and growth of the facilities, programs and services. As always, we take this opportunity to thank our members, sponsors, donors and the community for their contributions and continued support in helping to make the Boys & Girls Club “a good place to be”.
www.bgckl.com
Helping make the Club a good place to be
20th Anniversary
Jeff Beukeboom Charity Classic We wish to thank all of our sponsors, auction and prize donors, volunteers and golfers for helping to make our 20th Anniversary Jeff Beukeboom Charity Classic a great success! All proceeds from the tournament enable our Club to provide affordable programs to all families. It is the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes to Photo courtesy of Shelley James Photography Jeff with LIT’s (Leaders in Training) enrich the lives of children and youth by delivering a broad range of programs which enhance their personal growth and development. Because of events such as the Jeff Beukeboom Charity Classic, Club programs are offered with the guarantee that no child will ever be denied access due to financial difficulties. Events like this don’t happen without strong community support and the generous donations of our sponsors and attendees. This year brings us to $443,000 raised over the past 20 years! Once again on behalf of the Club, Foundation and the over 7,200 kids who use our programs thank you so much for your support.
Kids Club on Kids Club hosted by Heather McCullough airs Wednesdays bi-weekly. You can also view the segments at
Recording Studio The new Recording Studio and Music Centre, located at the Warehouse Youth Centre, was opened July 24, 2014, through the generous donation of Dr. Morley Coombs and Bill Jay. For more information on rates and availability: Aaron Graham: 705-324-4493 ext: 234 agraham@bgckl.com
www.chextv.com (New Chex Daily/Wed show) or on our website at www.bgckl.com
Generously Sponsored By:
Special Thanks
to our 3rd Party Fundraisers We appreciate the generous support of many individuals and businesses who support our fundraising efforts through third party events. (hold an event and donate to the Club, call us for more information and an application form)
• • • • • • • • • • •
Meisner Golf Tournament Coldwell Banker Golf Tournament Cat and the Fiddle Leaf Raffle: Tim Fleet, Imperial Coffee McHappy Day Carol & Grant Peters 50th Anniversary Buckeye Marine Staples Kawartha Lakes RC Flyers Gary Gibbons RV Delivery Surf & Turf Commonwell Golf Tournament
Foundation Board of Directors Emily Avery-Graves President
Tom Collver Director
Dianna Scates Vice President
Bjorn Alfredsson Honourary Director
Joanne Hough Past President Janice Loeb Secretary
Jason Ward Honourary Director
Greg Murphy Director
Scott Robertson Executive Director
Mike Fiorini Honourary Director
Chris Schweitzer Director
Designed by Heather McCullough Resource Development Coordinator Printed Locally
107 Lindsay Street South Lindsay, Ontario K9V 2M5 (705) 324 - 4493
www.bgckl.com.com
Charitable Organization No. 89919 8873 RR0001