Greetings!
As the season turns to warmer weather, the Club has been preparing our transfer over into Kidscape Summer Camp mode. We are excited to announce again this year we have received funding from the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative. This funding will allow us to offer two new programs - Outdoor Adventures and Nutrition/HEAT Club. We will also have a reading specialist on staff to ensure children do not fall behind and are fully prepared for school in the fall. We firmly believe that just because school is out for the summer it doesn't mean kids have to sit at home inside and stop learning. Please take a moment to read more about Kidscape Summer Camp and spread the word to your friends and family about this unforgettable summer fun experience for children.
In addition to offering free breakfast and lunches at our summer camps in the main facility and in our Powdermill Village Public Housing unit, we will again offer free lunches at Westfield's spray park located on Hubbard Street. New Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites opening this year will be located at Edgewood Apartments, 134 Union Street, Westfield and the Youth Resident Activities Program in Pheasant Hill Village, 25 Pheasant Hill Road, Feeding Hills. The sites will begin offering lunches to children between the ages of 5 through 18 on June 28th till August 20th. A sample lunch could include a turkey wrap, carrot sticks, fresh fruit and low fat milk. For more information about our SFSP sites please read the following article.
We hope to see all the special children in your life this summer at Kidscape and the SFSP sites!
Bill Parks
Executive Director
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Mentoring Program
 Each day at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield professional staff members form meaningful relationships with youth members. These relationships help children feel connected and consistently reinforce that someone believes they have the ability to succeed. The Club is taking the power of positive mentoring to an even greater level through the implementation of a formal mentoring program. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. is providing mentoring program awards to 135 PAL Chapters. The Mentoring Program involves recruiting volunteer Mentors who will be matched with a youth Mentee. Volunteer Mentors agree to meet with their Mentee at the Club for at least one hour per week for one year. Click here for the full article. |
2010 YOY - Amber Pettell
 Amber is a senior at Westfield High School and National Honor Society member who has been a Club member for nearly three years. At the Club Amber uses her strengths in academics to help and inspire other Club members to do better in school. This hard working young woman enjoys serving her community and the Club by acting as a peer mentor, tutor and advocate for children with disabilities. Amber is determined not to let her disability stop her from pursuing her dreams of attending Westfield State College where she plans to graduate with a Communication and Journalism degree. Staff members describe Amber as a pleasure to have around and someone who is always willing to lend a hand. Amber views the Club as a place of acceptance and opportunity where she has been lucky to make many friends.
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Dance Recital
On May 21st over 45 Boys & Girls Club youth members performed in their end of the year dance recital at the Women's Club in Westfield. For 9 months the children had been practicing their 18 dance numbers to perform in front of friends and family members. Approximately 175 people came to cheer on their little dancers. To see pictures and videos of the event visit the Club's Facebook page.
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About Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is a safe haven for youth where caring professional staff inspire young people to dream big and work hard to achieve their personal goals. Life-enhancing programs that stress character and leadership development, sports, fitness and recreation, technology, arts and educational experiences are offered through after school and summer programs that reach over 1,750 youth each year. The Club has an extension unit in Powder Mill Village Public Housing and provides transportation to the main site for Southwick children. Over 365 children attend the Club daily.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield
28 W Silver Street
Westfield, Massachusetts 01085
bgcwestfield.org
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