Our Stories
Last year, our Boys & Girls Club Truancy Abatement Program Director worked with a young girl who was consistently truant due to a history of trauma, causing her to misbehave at home, school, and in the community. When the Director first met her, she was failing all her classes, suspended frequently, and at risk of repeating the grade. By addressing the trauma and providing family support, the Director referred her to a counselor, helping her pass summer school and advance to the next grade. Now reunited with her mother, the student hasn't been truant once this school year, showing the impact of the program.
At the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, we have the privilege of watching children grow, form lasting friendships, and discover their passions. One family we’ve had the honor of supporting includes three boys—two 7-year-olds and a 13-year-old—who attended our after-school care at Jefferson Elementary. Both of their parents, being educators, relied on that extra time to finish their workday so they could fully focus on their family in the evenings.
For their eldest son, the Club became much more than just a place to stay after school. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that affects his mobility, making it difficult for him to participate in typical after-school activities like sports. Through our YouthForce program, he found his niche. From Gaming Camp to Aviation Camp, and even operating a forklift at Ellis Construction Career Camp, he’s been able to explore careers, work alongside his peers, and build a sense of pride and belonging.
Matt T.
Program Coordinator @ Almond-Bancroft Extension
This summer I moved from working at the Teen Center to working at the Boys and Girls Club site in Almond-Bancroft. The transition from working with Teens to working with Elementary aged students was different but it only took me a few days to start to really enjoy it. On my second day of working in Almond this summer we were playing a game of dodgeball outside when I noticed a new girl, sitting on the side of the dodgeball court, looking rather scared and apprehensive about playing. I decided to go to the side and ask her if she wanted to play. She replied, “No, I’m not very good at Dodgeball”. I told her that didn’t matter, that dodgeball was just about having fun, and that I would help her learn the rules as we played. She smiled and joined the game, and although she really didn’t know the rules, she had tons of fun running around with her classmates, the fear in her eyes turned into a smile on her face and she went home happy that day.
The next day, the first thing she did when she got to the club was run up to me and give me a high-five. Later that day her father came to pick her up at the end of the day, we engaged in some small talk and I asked him how his daughter was enjoying the club. He said she used to always ask, “Dad where can I play with some kids”, but now because of the Boys and Girls Club, she knows that she will be able to play with kids every day. It is safe to say that the Boys and Girls Club in Almond is having an impact on kids in the area by giving them a place to be kids together, in an area where that might otherwise not be possible.
Jessica S.
Parent of Jefferson Elementary Student
Thank you for taking time for orientation today. I’m really glad Brooklynn made the decision to go to BGC. It’s only been a couple weeks, but I've already seen a difference in her. Taking the time to go over homework and reading with her has been a benefit to her, and us as well. Please thank you and your staff for all that you guys do not only for our daughter, but all the kids.
I wanted to tell you again how much Brooklynn wanted to be there, and how much BGC means to her.
We have responsibilities at our home, and we have chores they can do to earn money. No chores pays more than $.50. Brooklynn has worked for, and saved, all of her money. Each of the kids have money envelopes where 10% goes to church, and the balance is divided in thirds and broken out into Need, for items the need. Want, to be spent however they choose. Save, that goes in the bank and remains untouched. Brooklynn had $10 in each of her envelopes. She took all she had from her Want envelope to pay for her BGC costs knowing it will take her awhile to save up that much for her Want spending again. And just tonight she offered to take on more chores to earn money for the upcoming BGC fees in January.
I’m very proud that she chose how to spend her hard earned spending money. Thank you for providing a program that has driven a desire for something positive in our daughter. In a world going crazy, we are grateful for something so stable and positive for our kids to look forward to.
Adria
Allison started her Boys & Girls Club experience at our Homework Center where she was referred by her teachers. Over the next few weeks, Allison would only say a few words to me during Homework Center and was really struggling to complete all of her homework and missing assignments. Allison comes from a single family home and she doesn’t feel extremely comfortable in social situations and struggled with completing her homework assignments. I was concerned for Allison, not only academically, but socially as well.
Over the next two months, I continued to greet Allison every day and work with her on her homework. In early January 2015, Allison came running into Homework Center with a huge smile on her face, Allison told me that she had decided to join FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America). FCCLA is an amazing club that provides numerous social, academic, and community opportunities to its members. This is an incredibly huge success for Allison, who just a few short months earlier was not comfortable talking to other people she didn’t know. Allison has kept her grades up, carefully manages her homework assignments, and willing participates socially and academically at Homework Center every day.
Keely - Club Parent
Last year, when we had moved to Stevens Point, I wasn't aware of any low cost child care alternatives. Fast forward one year later- I was introduced to the Boys and Girls Club by my neighbor. My daughter loves going and I love the fact that all are welcome...not just people who can afford it. I know a lot of people just pay the $10 to enroll their child for the year....but I really felt like that $10 wasn't enough. For the amount that I am saving in child care for my daughter, I feel it is my duty to donate as much as I can to the Boys and Girls Club. What the Club offers in opportunities for my daughter and for other children in our community is priceless. Not to mention that all kids get 3 FREE meals a day if they want them. It is a safe place for all kids to go during the day and offers so much flexibility for parents. Parents no longer have to pay more/less depending on when their children will be there or paying a sitter to stay with your kids for the day.I hope that other families also give more, if they have the means. All kids are treated equally at the Boys and Girls Club, regardless of economic standing in the community. That is the way it should be! I hope that others do their part to keep this good thing going, so the kids of Portage County can have even more to look forward to in the future.
