Teen Makes the Grade

Meet Kate. She is in the 6th grade and is a member of the teen Club. In the past, Kate made some unhealthy and unwise decisions, much to her parents chagrin. Kate got into a bit of trouble requiring a visit with juvenile authorities. Together, they decided Kate needed an after school activity and signed her up for the Boys & Girls Club. Kate came to the Club because she had to...and she reminded the staff of this on a daily basis. Her grades the first quarter were all passing with the exception of Library Skills. As Kate´s attitude about the Club changed, she realized she liked being at the Club and she began to ask for help in bringing up her less-than passing grade. Over the next two quarters her attendance became more consistent and her grade began to improve. At the end of the school year, Kate was most often the last teen to leave and she ended the year with an "A" in Library Skills. Not only are her parents and the juvenile authorities happy with her turnaround, but Kate is proud of herself and knows she has the full potential to BE GREAT!

Nothing to Fear...

One way of overcoming fears is to face them head on. Recently, the parent of Sam, one of our elementary members, told us her son had begun to work on his fear of heights, thanks to the Boys & Girls Club. During spring outdoor recreation time, our staff had been trying to encourage Sam to climb on the jungle gym, showing him how to climb up and down safely and helping him to go a bit higher each time. His mom said Sam has had this fear for years and no one has been able to help him overcome it. Now, mom says she can´t keep Sam´s feet on the ground! Way to BE FEARLESS!