Abbott Center Proposal

Letter of Interest for the Juan "Poppy" Abbott Community Center July 17 2014

BOYS &GIRLS CLUBS of Topeka

Boys & Girls Club of Topeka

BOYS & GIRLS CWBS ofTopeb

An Important Part of our Community's History The Boys & Girls Club of Topeka was officially organized in Topeka in 1956 and was known as The Boys Club. The home of the Boys Club was a 66 year old converted school building located at 1021 SE Washington. The Boys Club was established to provide a safe place for boys of every cultural background between the ages of 7 and 19 to become members of a Club that would provide them with strong guidance orientated programs. The area of expertise was reaching those youth living in poverty.

The impact and success of the programs of The Boys Club lead community, business and visionary leaders to kick off a campaign lead

by Alfred M Landon, Catherine Menninger, Robert Brock, Ned Fleming and Lou Falley to construct a 25,000 square foot Boys Club building on 9 Y:z acres at 2?'h & Adams to meet the needs of the 1500 boys waiting to become members. The focus was to build a home away from home for boys to have a sense of belonging, build them into great men and contributing citizens of our community.

In 1976 the community embraced and welcomed the Boys Club of Topeka- Adams Club located at 550 SE 2?'h Street.

In 1993 with the impact that young boys were having as a result of their membership to The Boys Club, the Club welcomed girls and proudly became Boys & Girls Club of Topeka (BGCT) with only greater things to come for youth ages 5-18 in our community who need us most!

A Pillar of Your Community In 2013 the Boys & Girls Club of Topeka impacted the lives of over 3,200 youth through Club membership, extension programs and community outreach.

In addition to the Adams Club, the traditional Club location located at 550 SE 2?'h, BGCT has expanded our reach and deepened our impact.

In 2010 USD 345, Seaman School District, reached out to Boys & Girls Club of Topeka to provide the impactful programs and services to students in USD 345. USD 345 provided Boys & Girls Club with an unused school building to establish a Club Extension Site, known as Boys & Girls Club @ Indian Creek. This site provides Club services afterschool, school days out and a summer enrichment program. Due to the number of students at risk that attend Logan Elementary School, BGCT provides a school based Club extension program before and after school as well as a comprehensive summer enrichment program in the school and is known as Boys & Girls Club @ Logan. BGCT also provides before school Club services at each of the 6 USD 345

A Vision for the Future BGCT prides itself on the impact it has on youth in our community who need us most. The needs of youth in our community have only heightened.

Negative influences, peer pressure, promiscuity, gang recruitment, juvenile crime, truancy, access and availability to drugs, tobacco, alcohol reaches as far down to elementary aged youth. The future for our youth is at a crisis stage as options for families due to economic hardships have deepened.

BGCT continues to strategically align our organization to assure that those youth in our community who need our services have access.

Therefore, it is with the commitment to broaden and deepen impact on youth that BGCT expresses interest in The Abbott Community Center.

July 17 2014

The Club ... BGCT Teen Center Recruit. Reach. Retain The letter of interest for the Abbott Community Center is to partner with Shawnee County Parks & Recreation to establish a Teen Center to focus on and meet the needs of youth ages 1318 years of age. Teens are not simply "older children" they have reached a developmental stage that requires a different strategic approach to recruitment, retention, marketing, staff interaction, use of space and programming. The Club would assure positive developmental experiences for Teen Members through the provision of a safe, positive environment, fun, supportive relationships, opportunities, expectations and recognition.

Targeted programs will be offered in three key areas: Academic Success, every member progresses to the next grade level on time and graduates with a plan for the future; Good Character & Citizenship, to inspire a generation of civically engaged youth who balance self- concern with concern for others & Healthy Lifestyles; youth demonstrate an increase in positive healthy habits & decision making skills, and show a strong commitment to leading a healthier lifestyle.

Membership to the Boys & Girls Club establishes ownership, a sense of belonging, purpose, acceptance, safety, care, empowerment meaningful relationships with others, positive supports & influences

BOYS 8r. GIRlS CLUBS of Topeka

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS of Topeka

Considerations •

SCPR maintain building

• •

SCPR cover utilities

•

Working Together to Make a Difference Community Partners BGCT prides itself on collaboration & partnerships that create stronger success and sustainability. The Teen Center would be built on the same foundation working with SCPR by offering programs & accessibility to

SCPR install a camera

teens in our community who needs us most; East Topeka South NIA,

security system in interior &

providing a location to meet and address the needs of youth in that area;

exterior of building

Topeka Golden Gloves, providing space to offer boxing skill

Kansas Department of Health & Environment license building as a drop in center

development, positive self-development, and physical health & wellness experiences; Harvesters- the Community Food Network, providing Project STRENGTH -nutrition classes for adults, Kids in the Kitchen nutrition classes for youth & establishing a food pantry for youth & families in need ; El Centro, providing resource and referral services for

•

•

Boys & Girls Clubs of

Hispanic youth, breaking language barriers to assist in teen recruitment

America charters The

and teen retention; Topeka Police Department to provide gang

Abbott Community Center

resistance support and training; Kansas Children Service League, to

as a BGCT Extension Site

provide referral services, parent resources and education classes.

JJA, City, Kansas State

Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board - assuring we reach youth who

Middle School funding

need us most. Young Life- working together to provide mentors and

remains at current or

life guides

increased level

The Vision The Club would be available for teen members after school.

Transportation would be provided by BGCT from USD 501 middle & high schools. The Club would be available on school days out, school vacations and summer break. Program, Training & Youth Development Services would include: Priority Outcome Area 1: Academic Success programs: BE GREAT: Graduate, BE READY, Career Launch, Money Matters, Power Hour Priority Outcome Area 2: Good Character & Citizenship programs: Keystone, Triple Play Leadership clubs, Torch Club & Youth of the Year Priority Outcome Area 3: Healthy Lifestyle programs: Date SMART, Passport to Manhood, SMART Girls, SMART Moves, SMART Leaders, Triple Play: Daly Challenges, Triple Play: Healthy Habits, Triple Play: Smart Gamesroom & WANNA PLAY? Most importantly, providing a safe place where teens feel welcome, a sense of belonging, have a strong sense of worth and who develop into positive & contributing citizens of our community.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TOPEKA 550 SE 2ih Street Topeka, Kansas 66605 p 785-234-5601 F 785-234-4512 BOYS & G.1RLS CLUBS

dawnmcwilliams@bgctopeka.org

of Topeka

~.bgctopeka.org

-...._ .._ _ I\)(,""'- i ill' cal' o-Dawn MeW

ams, Chief Professional Officer

BOYS &GDU.S CLUBS of Topeka

REFERENCES

Chief Ron Miller Topeka Police Department 320 S Kansas Ave Ste 100 Topeka Kansas 66603

785-368-9551

Chad Taylor, District Attorney 200 SE 7th St Room 214 Topeka Kansas 66603

785-251-4330

Dr Julie Ford, Superintendent USD 501 Burnett Administrative Center 624 SW 24th St Topeka Kansas 66611

785-295-3000

Mike Mathes, Superintendent USD 345 Administrative Center 901 NW Lyman Rd Topeka Kansas 66608

785-575-8600