Meet 10 year old Brooke Parker. Brooke is a student at Madison Crossroads Elementary School and a member of the Ardmore Boys & Girls Club.
Even at such a young age, Brooke has faced a host of challenges including growing up in an unstable environment. Her parents are divorced and she often has to split her time between her mother’s and father’s homes.
Brooke started attending the Club last year on scholarship. When she first arrived at the Club, Brooke was shy and having trouble making friends. However, the more time she spent at the Club, the more she matured. The other Club members embraced Brooke with open arms. They showed her the daily routine and the ins and outs of what is expected of her as a Club member. Brooke’s loudest and biggest supporters are the Ardmore staff. They have led Brooke to discover talents and strengths she never knew she had. Brooke also holds the responsibility of making sure the Club remains clean.
Brooke was also failing academically, and unwilling to do her homework. But what a difference the Club has made. Now each afternoon during the Club’s Power Hour, she gets tutoring and help with her homework. Because of the help she receives, Brooke enjoys learning and is now more confident in school. Brooke also has been able to bring her grades up. Before the Club she was bringing home F’s, but now she mostly brings home C’s . Now that she has had a taste of success Brooke has set her mind on making the A& B honor roll next year.
Brooke loves coming to the club, and often begs her mom to bring her to the Club even when they have other things planned. Brooke’s mom credits the Club with helping to shape her daughter into a confident young lady.
Elder Santana is an 11-year-old member of BGCNAL Southwest Club. Elder started attending the Boys & Girls Club when he was a third-grade student at McDonnell Elementary School.
Elder spoke very little English when he first started attending the Boys & Girls Club. Because of this language barrier, Elder was often unable to communicate with teachers and peers which took a toll on his self-confidence. His struggles were compounded because his parents also spoke very little English and were powerless to help him.
Unable to really grasp the English language, Elder’s day in school was long and difficult, and often, by the time he arrived at the Club, he was in an uncooperative mood and showed a lack of respect for others.
However, Southwest Club Director Mr. Ruben saw great potential in Elder and determined that they would do whatever necessary to help him find the right path to stop his self-destructive behavior before it was too late.
After several meetings with Elder’s parents and Mr. Ruben, they knew a plan had to be put in place. With a newfound direction and lots of prayer, Elder began to change his ways. As he began to receive specialized help in English by Mr. Ruben and tutors from the Boys & Girls Club, he started understanding the language and his outlook on life changed. The Club was able to teach him the importance of having a positive attitude, and the importance of showing respect toward himself and others. Once this clicked for Elder, he began to succeed in the classroom as well as the Club.
Now that Elder has realized academic success, his eyes sparkle and light up with a new found confidence. As a result of his academic achievements, his confidence is at an all time high and he has begun to broaden his horizons socially. Elder is no longer the kid with the bad attitude and the lack of respect for others. What a difference the Club has made!
As Elder enters the sixth grade at Westlawn Middle School, he is much happier because he knows that his future is much brighter. Thanks to the staff and members of the Southwest Boys & Girls Club, he understands that if he combines what he has learned from the Club with a fair amount of hard work, he will be able to reach his full potential.
Tracy Burnett, a thirteen year old student at Chapman Middle School has been attending Boys & Girls Club since the age of five. Currently he is a member of the James A. Lane Club.
When Tracy began attending the Club he was a faithful member. He came everyday and participated in and enjoyed all of the programs offered. However, as Tracy got older he became rebellious and stubborn and his attendance decreased dramatically. He also began to experience difficulty at home and at school.
Frequently, Coach Pete, a James A. Lane staffer, would see Tracy on his way to work . He would cajole and encourage him to come to the Club, but most of the time Tracy declined. Coach Pete would not give up, though. He knew that Tracy possessed the ability to be an excellent student and leader, and that there was something better for him. Coach Pete knew that he must act quickly to get Tracy back to the Club where he belonged.
After much thought Coach Pete decided that he would try to use sports to entice Tracy back to the Club. He knew that sports are an excellent tool to teach kids discipline and allow them to have fun at the same time. Once Coach Pete convinced Tracy to join his basketball team, he had an opportunity to really work with and talk to him. Not only did Coach Pete share the rules of basketball with Tracy, but he also shared some life lessons. Coach Pete was able to impress upon him that the same discipline that enabled Tracy to be a winner on the basketball court could and should carry over to his everyday life.
Coach Pete continues to be a positive influence in Tracy’s life. Coach has even taught Tracy how to do yard work and other things around the house to earn money for field trips and other activities. Coach Pete knows that Tracy can’t always earn enough money to pay for an activity, but he feels that Tracy must learn that he must make an effort, so Coach Pete gives him an incentive. If Tracy earns at least half of the money, then Coach Pete will pay the rest. Just knowing that someone has his back is all the motivation that Tracy needs.
Tracy is now a responsible young man. He is a leader not only on the basketball court but also at school and at the Club. The younger Club members now look up to Tracy and follow his lead on how to handle themselves in sticky situations. Tracy knows that with the love and support of Coach Pete and others at James A. Lane, there is no limit to how far he can go.
(In her own words)
Hello, my name is Vanity Michelle Martin and I am 14 years old. I am currently a student at New Century Technology High School. I have been a member of the Seminole Boys and Girls Club for 7 years, and each year I find myself growing more as an individual. My experience here at the Club has been heightened because of the wonderful staff including our Club Director, Mr. Archie. .
The thing I like most about the Boys and Girls Club is getting to learn about new things and meeting new people. Before I started coming to the Club I lacked people skills, I was shy and afraid of other kids my age. Thanks to the team and other Club members I am a more outgoing, and open to meeting new people.
At the Club each day we have different activities, one of my favorites is called Scrapbooking Divas. In this class we learn about different parts of scrapbooking, including how to mat pictures and how to create your own style. The instructor explains to the group of girls in the group we are different and important and it is o.k. to have our own sense of style. This class helps me relax after a long and stressful day at school. The highlight of this group for me is the opportunity to have girl talk about life and anything else that maybe troubling us.
I have been too many events with the Boys and Girls Club, but the one that changed my life was when a group of teens from several Clubs had the opportunity to hear entrepreneur Chris Gardner speak. From his speech, I learned in life you have to do what you have to do, ultimately sometimes we have to make sacrifices in order to be successful. He also stressed it is good to have a sense of humor, but know when it time to be serious. After hearing Mr. Gardner, I have taken that approach and have started to use his strategies in my everyday life.
At the Club I have learned a sense of responsibility. My number one task is to be a role model. At Seminole, the younger Club members look up to the teens and want to follow the things they do. I want to make sure I am always setting a good example, and show them what a real leader does. Each day I also help operate the snack bar, making sure the Club stays clean. I feel the number way I can help the staff is always being positive.
At the Club there are so many things to do, but the one thing that helps me relax the most is the work out area. The punching bag helps me release anger but the weights and the bar help me stay physically fit. I enjoy working out especially when I have my friends there with me.
Life without the Boys and Girls Club just would not be the same. It would be dull and I would have nothing to do, and no friends. The Club has really affected my life and I love every person that I have met and the relationships that I have built.
Brittanee Sanderson, 12, has been a member of the James A. Lane Boys & Girls Club since the age of 5. This fall she will begin the eighth grade at The Academy for Science and Foreign Language.
From day one Brittanee had a spark in her eye and everyone around her knew she was going to be a great leader at the Boys & Girls Club.
From the beginning, she did not hesitate when it came to helping others in the Club including Club staff. She helps her fellow Club members in so many ways including tutoring during Power Hour(homework time) and conquering the rules of the latest game. Brittanee also assists at the front desk by checking in members and answering questions or concerns from Club members or parents. She participates in each of the Boys & Girls Clubs core areas, including being a Junior Leader, President of the Torch Club, and also holding the title of Youth of The Month with the goal of becoming Youth of the Year in the near future. Brittanee is also committed to helping others in her community, she spends time volunteering at the Manna House several hours a week.
As a well-spoken young lady, Brittanee leads tours of the Club to potential Club member and their families, and business leaders in the community. Because of her positive attitude this year she was asked to speak during the United Way Annual Breakfast.
This summer Brittanee was fortunate to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs during Space Camp here in Huntsville, AL. While at Space Camp, her personality shined and she made lots of new friends. During her time at space camp, she was asked to build a rocket that would be able to launch. Brittanee was the only camper who had a successful lift-off and was invited to back to Space Camp next summer.
At such a young age, Brittanee has big plans for her future. After graduating from high school, she plans to attend The University of Alabama-Birmingham or Harvard University. She wants to study Forensic Science or Law.
Brittanee credits the Club - and the staff there - for inspiring her to believe she could achieve anything she set her mind to.
Brittanee is proof that BGCNAL is fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people to Be GREAT.