| President's Corner | | |
Greetings:
Recently, the Northwest Current--a Washington, D.C. community newspaper--published a cover story regarding BGCGW's award of service contracts by the Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) to continue programming at Jelleff and Loughran Recreation Centers.
Although the coverage gives voice to the opinions of some, there are many Club alumni, supporters and stakeholders who will attest to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's significant contribution to youth and the communities we serve.
Through partnerships with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DPR, and the tireless support of our Boards and other volunteers, we have developed a strong track record of providing programming, activities and exposure for youth who need us the most.
We are working with the critical teen population on gang and violence prevention, as demonstrated by our very recent teen town hall meeting in Ward 8 and our youth late-night soccer games at the Loughran Recreation Center.
Through our field-tested programs, caring mentors, partners and long-time supporters and stakeholders, BGCGW is steadfast in our mission to provide high-quality direct service to youth, their families and other members of the communities we serve at the Loughran and Jelleff Recreation Centers.
Although
we cannot claim to be perfect throughout our 125-year history, I am
confident that great futures are starting at BGCGW for youth everyday!
Pandit
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DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation
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| Job of the Month |
Education Director
(Orr Branch) | |
The Education Director (Orr Branch) oversees the planning, implementation and ongoing evaluation of quality and developmentally appropriate education programs, activities, services, and special events that reflect Core Programs in clubhouse education program areas for youth ages 6-18.
Click here for a complete position description. |
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"Flex Your Mind, No Retaliation"
BGCGW Hosts Violence Prevention Teen Town Hall Meeting
100 District teens gather to discuss ways to prevent violence and gang activity. | Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW), in partnership with D.C. Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), presented "Flex Your Mind, No Retaliation," a teen town hall meeting moderated by violence prevention activist Anwan "Big G" Glover of HBO's The Wire and Treme to commemorate 40 Days of Increased Peace at THEARC.
Over 100 teens from across the Washington, D.C. region joined forces with community leaders to share insights and engage in healthy, solution-driven dialogue about violence and gang prevention initiatives, followed by a teen social-complete with a poetry slam, music and refreshments. Violene Prevention Activist Anwan "Big G" Glover and Pandit Wright, BGCGW President & CEO. | "The ripple effects of violence are felt throughout every part of our community and it is important to positively engage our youth before they become a victim or participant," said Pandit Wright, BGCGW President & CEO.
"This town hall meeting is another way to put our mission in action and continue to serve as a safe haven for the city's youth, while empowering young people to prevent violence in their community."
Since 2000, 40 Days of Increased Peace has served countless youth with free recreational and educational activities during the summer months as an alternative to violence, which often times result from poor supervision.
Through community partnership, 40 Days of Increased Peace has fostered positive community relationships with schools, law enforcement, and community and faith-based organizations. |
America's Promise Alliance:
Prince William County One of 100 Best Communities
for Young People!
For the first time, America's Promise Alliance--a leading national youth advocacy organization--recently named Prince William County as a 100 Best community for its strong promotion of youth development programs focused on physical, social, educational and moral growth, and successful public-private partnerships.
BGCGW's Carteret Mortgage (Manassas) Branch, the largest Boys & Girls Club in Virginia, was cited as a successful example of local government and businesses working together to create facilities dedicated to youth development.
Click here to learn more. |
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George M. Ferris Jr. Clubhouse 6
(Photo's Pending)
In honor of George Ferris and his unwavering commitment to youth and families, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) dedicated the George M. Ferris Jr. Clubhouse 6.
Ferris served as a BGCGW Board Member for 7 years, as an Executive Committee member for 5 years and as Chairman of the Board from March 2008 until his untimely passing in October of the same year.
As a leading citizen of the Washington, D.C. community for many decades, Ferris led by taking action and initiating a multi-year "Chairman's Challenge" to encourage other BGCGW Board Members to invest in the organization above and beyond their historic levels of support.
He is remembered warmly by all of the BGCGW family. |
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BGCGW Members Design Their Own Websites
Verizon volunteers--using software donated from Microsoft--created an eight-week web-training program for over 30 youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) this summer.
During this time, students learned to design and develop their own websites from scratch.
In a closing ceremony, website design winners Tonie and James from Clubhouse 14 and FBR Branch received a Verizon Droid X mobile phone with free wireless service for one year. Students who achieved nearly perfect attendance in the program received a Microsoft Zune digital media player.
With the support of Verizon and Microsoft, BGCGW continues to promote self-expression and provides pathways for young people to gain confidence, self-esteem and motivation. |
BGCGW Kicks-Off Youth Late-Night
Soccer Games
 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW), in partnership with D.C. Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) and the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, kicks-off six weeks of Youth Late-Night Soccer games at the Loughran Recreation Center to celebrate diversity, strengthen community involvement and prevent gang-related violence on Friday, September 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
District teens from different neighborhoods will celebrate their differences and build camaraderie through friendly competition, as youth from various neighborhoods compete on the same team.
Every Friday for six weeks, guest speakers will also discuss conflict resolution, unity, personal leadership, community responsibility, diversity, and substance abuse. |
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CareFirst's $50,000 Contribution to BGCGW a 'Big Hit'
BGCGW members and staff with SCREECH!, the Washington Nationals mascot.  |
In support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's (BGCGW) Adopt-A-Club campaign, CareFirst awarded $50,000 to support after-school programming and services at Clubhouse 14.
Twenty BGCGW members and staff joined CareFirst executives at the Washington National's Stadium for the ceremonial first pitch and home plate line-up conference.
With CareFirst's continued support, nearly 100 children and youth will have access to a broad range of after-school programs and services. |
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AT&T Awards $15,000 to BGCGW to Support CareerLaunch Initiative
FBR Branch members and staff with D.C. Councilmember Phil Mendelson, AT&T Mid-Atlantic President J. Michael Schweder and BGCGW President & CEO Pandit Wright. |
As part of AT&T's ongoing commitment to investing in America and helping students stay-and succeed-in school and on the job, AT&T Mid-Atlantic announced a $15,000 contribution to support the CareerLaunch initiative at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW).
CareerLaunch is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) premier career development program, providing a range of services to help Club members develop the skills essential for workforce success.
Approximately 130 students from across the Washington region participate in the CareerLaunch program, including 30 at the FBR Branch where J. Michael Schweder, President of AT&T Mid Atlantic joined Pandit Wright, BGCGW President & CEO and District of Columbia Councilmember Phil Mendelson for a presentation and tour.
With AT&T's support, BGCGW will continue to guide youth in making sound career decisions. |
Hopkins Club Members Meet
Young African Leaders
A group of delegates to President Obama's Forum with Young African Leaders answered questions from BGCGW members about life in Africa. | Several delegates to President Obama's Forum with Young African Leaders, organized by the U.S. State Department, visited the Hopkins Branch of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW).
After BGCGW members performed a brief skit and sang three songs for the delegates, one of the delegates taught Club members an African song and explained its meaning.
Many forum delegates observed that BGCGW tackles the same social problems that beset many African communities and were inspired to work with children in their own community. |
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