9.1. SR 11-07-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~U,^^M~Y.Y f a. c;j e.. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ELK RIVER 905 6th Street, Elk River, MN 55330 ------------ 763-241-5000 We want to inform you of some of our success that occurred with your investment of a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Elk River. Most of the curriculum centered around the "Smart Moves" character building skill enrichment teaching. We also worked with "Minnesota Workforce curriculum" of having kids enrolled in career exploration and skill building teaching and activities. Pre-test and post-test surveys and evaluations were given to help in the assessment of these knowledge building activities. During the summer, we opened at 7 AM, to provide both a fun time and a learning environment. Without the Club, most kids would be home alone, perhaps without guidance. With your donation, which helps match and create an enhanced state grant, we are making these character building programs more comprehensive, actually graduating about 400 kids each year, in each curriculum unit. Your investment also helped us to have a greater emphasis on serving teens. With the increasing teen interest, we decided to stay open later, until 8:00 to accommodate them. We are now open until 10:00 two Friday evenings a month to help teens have a guided place to fit in. Your investment to the Club has helped make this happen, through supporting the positions and materials. We often observe that many kids find tranquility and develop new friendships at the Club. Some of the kids may be teased and shoved around in the school hallways, but at the Club they find their fit, and develop friendships in a non intimidating atmosphere. Many kids are not in sports and activities after school, so community kids find that many activities at the Club are a great fit for them. They can specialize in youth games and environmental enrichment activities. We transport kids on field trips where they enjoy nature and community enriching events. We stress the importance of recycling, and creative ways to help diminish the amount of garbage directly deposited in landfills. Alternative fuels education is a big part of our teaching. It is somewhat expensive to train staff so that they can teach these recommended programs, but we feel good guidance is so necessary. We also encourage board training, which is vital in making this community organization strong. Each year our youth and staff enjoy a luncheon with the governor and legislators as a statewide movement. This is an outgrowth of our youth partnering with the rest of the state youth, actually requested by the governor. Each Club in the nation may have a youth of the year compete statewide and nationwide, recognition based on their leadership and work with peers and youth. Last year, Jamie Peterson represented Elk River very well, and she would speak to your council if you requested. We enjoy a lot of community partnerships such as YMCA, churches, youth sports, 4-H, etc.