The Boys & Girls Club Story

San Antonio Club Leads Fiesta Parade!

Last week the city of San Antonio, Texas, celebrated it's annual Fiesta. One of the top highlights every year is the river parade that winds though the downtown river walk. And this year, folks from the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio led the parade! The Texas Cavaliers is a volunteer group comprised of civic and business leaders that raises funds to support nonprofits. The group also hosts activities and events in conjunction with the 10-day Fiesta, including the parade. Part of the funds secured were presented to the Clubs in San Antonio for the wonderful work they do creating great futures for kids in the community.

The honorary parade marshall was retired Dallas Cowboy and NFL Hall-of-Famer Emmitt Smith, who led the caravan of floats.

Raphael and I bookend (clockwise from top left) Ashanti, Jacob, CEO Mock, Hanna, Brandon, Nathan and Jackie.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio CEO Angie Mock rode with Emmit, as did Ariel, a young lady who won the Fiesta art contest. The Boys & Girls Club float featured the Club’s Youth of the Year and several more teens, who all joined in the celebration. Over 250,000 spectators were on hand for the parade on a spectacular evening.

Prior to the parade, we met at the Calderon Clubhouse, which also houses the administrative offices. We spent time talking with Board Chair Luis de la Torre, his fellow board members and several staff members. Angie's team reviewed their strategic plan to serve more youth, as well as their significant campaign (which is off to a great start) to renovate facilitates and build two new Clubs: a Teen Center on the city’s westside and a 23,000-square-foot facility on the southside.

The best part of the day was spending time with Club kids and teens. We met kids of

Mary Ellen patiently explains how the 3D printer works.

all ages. They loved telling us about their favorite programs at the Club. Like 12-year-old Mary Ellen, who enthusiastically welcomed us to the Club Technology Center, and proceeded to explain the Club's STEM program and the First Lego League they compete in. She also showed us how to design a project then produce it on a 3D printer, like the BGCA lapel pin they made for us. Mary Ellen was so passionate about the STEM projects and program.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio is a fabulous example of the Formula for Impact in action with programs illuminating each of the core outcome areas of Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles.

Talking Great Futures in Ohio

Last week in Ohio, I had the honor to speak at “Gateways to Great Futures,” a Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus awareness-raiser. Hosted by L Brands President and BGCA Trustee Martin Waters, about 100 community leaders came out to learn more about the current and ongoing needs of young people in Columbus and nationwide.

A lively conversation ensued regarding what it takes to create great futures for kids today. The discussion focused on Boys & Girls Clubs’ three core outcome areas – Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, Healthy Lifestyles – and why they can make such a critical difference in helping kids achieve long-term success.

Columbus Club kids with the first installment of the generous grant by Hollywood Casino Columbus.

We also touched on the Club’s “Growth for Great Futures” vision to serve 10,000 youth by 2020. The Club has formed numerous partnerships to reach this goal, and leveraged them well.

In fact, that very evening, Executive Director Rebecca Asmo announced the organization had received a $500,000 grant from Hollywood Casino Columbus to expand the Club’s presence on the city’s west side.

The reception closed with a terrific speech by the Club’s 2015 Youth of the Year Rodney Groves, who spoke about the critical role the Boys & Girls Club has played in his life.

Prior to the meeting, I met with Ohio State University students at Hale Black Cultural Center on the OSU campus for a roundtable discussion about 21st century leadership skills. It was a really engaging couple of hours that led to energetic exchange of ideas and viewpoints.

Korean Trip Wraps Up with Visits to Osan AFB, USAG Humphreys

With our visit to Korea coming to a close, we paid visits to two final military installations and their Youth Centers.

Our first stop was Osan Air Force Base to meet with the Youth Center team, including the base commanders and 2015 Military Youth of the Year Kristin Reamer. Kristin gave a great presentation about her time at the Club and what it’s meant to her. Flight Chief Shirley Wendt and Director of Youth Programs Ann Ernst lead the team, which is doing a phenomenal job building awareness of Youth Center services and reaching out to teens.

Our next stop was U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. It's currently undergoing a massive expansion that will more than triple its size and onsite personnel. They’re literally creating a new city that will house over 21,000 personnel. Several new Youth Centers will also be created, one of which we visited.

Youth Services Director Jared Barrick shared details about the expansion plans, which are expected to more than triple Youth Center membership and average daily attendance. The teen population in particular is projected to expand in a big way. Jared won’t be there to see its completion, unfortunately. He’s moving on to serve as a regional coordinator for middle school and teen programs in Hawaii. But many more wonderful staff are in place to continue great work already underway.

We also met with Deputy Commander Ted Stevens, part of our legacy partnership with the military and instrumental for much of our growth over the years. Ted is a great friend and wonderful champion for kids who’s helping to create great futures across the globe.

We departed Korea with special memories of young people advancing their lives and overcoming challenges. What resonates most is the caring youth development professionals helping kids any way they can at every installation we visited. Their spirit and commitment is a model for youth to emulate as they move from base to base. Youth Centers represent a constant presence kids can look forward to amid the multiple transitions of military life.

I tip my cap to Youth Center staff serving youth around the world and their exemplary service to America and its children.

South Korea Youth Center Tour Continues

My week-long visit to BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations in South Korea continued with a visit to U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.

School-Age Center Director Christine Thorps, Coordinator Claudette Mohn and Joe Jacks, who oversees the Middle School/Teen Center, greeted us warmly on arrival. Young people are having wonderful experiences here. They even put on a talent show just for us. The elementary-age kids sang, danced and screened a video collage they’d produced. The very special afternoon event was also attended by numerous parents and base personnel.

We enjoyed a wonderfully warm reception from kids and staff at USAG Yongsan.

With USAG Yongsan 2015 Military Youth of the Year Jacob McMurray as our guide, we headed to the Teen Center for more music. First we heard from The Nuclear Spider Sharks, a three-piece band who performed two Beatles songs to perfection. Next, a talented young woman named Mica Agyao gave a spectacular guitar performance. Saxophone player Ellis Hamilton, a 15-year old who’s realized his musical talent at the Club, closed the set. If you’ve heard smooth jazz sax player Najee, you’d recognize his influence on Ellis’ original work.

Meeting with SMART Girls participants.

The Youth Center also runs the main menu of BGCA programs, with financial literacy program Money Matters a definite headliner. There’s also a strong emphasis on STEM programming. I had the opportunity to meet with participants in SMART Girls, the health, fitness and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to 17, also, and had a great discussion about how the program is applied at the Center.

We completed our visit by meeting with Garrison Commander Col. Maria Eoff and Command Sgt. Maj. Henney Hodgkins. We spent time talking about the needs of military children and families on Army bases, and where BGCA might assist further as they look at transitions down the road. We are fortunate to have great leaders such as Col. Eoff and Sgt. Maj. Hodgkins in place, who clearly care deeply that kids have every opportunity to achieve a great future.

Paying Respects to U.S. Military, Their Families and Youth Centers in South Korea

For 24 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnered with affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations to serve the children and families of our service members. The sacrifices these brave men and women make – even potentially the ultimate sacrifice – allows us to live free in the greatest country on earth. We believe the best way Boys & Girls Clubs can honor the contributions of our military and their families is by serving their children.

With Col. Jim M. Bradford, USAG Daegu commander.

I make it a point each year to travel overseas to meet with Youth Center staff and military commanders to thank them for their commitment to our nation. This week, I’m visiting eight of the nine sites BGCA supports in South Korea. My first stop was U.S. Army Garrison Daegu in Seoul.

Vice President Terrill McFarland and Director Ed Brown, from BGCA Military & Outreach Services, and I were greeted by D.H. Kelly, director of Youth Centers for school-age kids and teens. She and her team gave a terrific presentation about the programs and services they provide kids with. The programming is robust, too, as they run literally every program BGCA offers.

The staff members’ enthusiasm for serving youth came through loud and clear. They’re making a tremendous impact on kids and the results they’re seeing are off the charts! From Money Matters to SMART Moves to Triple Play, as well as fine arts programming and the Keystone Club and Torch Club leadership programs, they’re providing kids with a model Club program.

My congratulations and thanks to D.H. and her team for all they’re doing for children and families of USAG Daegu.