"Mental Health Awareness Month may be the most crucial recognition month. Doing whatever it takes to bring awareness to the issue, Fletch filmed his monthly message in a “Chill Zone,” A safe space for our Club members to find calm, regroup, or seek support; our Chill Zones have become an integral part of our social and emotional well-being programming.
I invite you to join Fletch and “friends” via video in the Hobe Sound Club Chill Zone to learn more about this important issue and why we're laser-focused on it EVERY DAY."
~ Kathryn Parsons, Board Chair
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CLUB MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Meet Levi from the Bill and Barbara Whitman Club in Indiantown. He is a lively 2nd grader at Warfield Elementary School. Club staff is always appreciative of his kind and respectful behavior towards his peers, staff, and volunteers. Curious about everything, he's unsure of what he wants to be when he grows up. But he loves learning new things, playing sports, especially soccer, and looks forward to SPARK time when he arrives at the Club after a full day at school.
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Our 3 Pillars for Success |
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Good Character
& Citizenship
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Music to our Ears
Not all young minds learn to read the same way. For some, it comes easy, but for others, we must be open-minded and more creative in our instruction.
One such method is the Sonday System by Winsor Learning. In small groups, Sonday offers structured, systematic, multisensory reading interventions for readers at the early stages of reading through the end of the 2nd-grade reading level. Each lesson uses evidence-based methods to provide effective learning and interventions.
Recently a group of Club members graduated from the program. With certificates in hand, they’re excited and ready for summer reading and learning activities which will help them with their confidence and their desire to explore the world through words.
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Go Fore It
Golf has not always been an open and inclusive sport, but community leaders are trying to change that. Author and banking professional, Christopher Everett is one such person. After learning about Youth of the Year, Everett invited Youth of the Year winner, Fredd Galvez to a weekend of golf at his inaugural tournament Go Fore It, also the name of his book.
“Golf is a sport that offers many opportunities for healthy living, education, and professional networking, that every child regardless of race or privilege should be exposed to,” says Everett.
Fredd and Club members not only learned how to play golf, but received mentoring from Black community leaders and valuable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and to Get out and Go Fore It!
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Few Food Miles
Food miles are a big deal, and Club members are learning if we can reduce the number of miles food travels to get to our table, can we help the environment and enjoy more nutritious food. That’s why Food Justice and Garden Coordinator, Caitlynne Palmieri forged a partnership with United Farmers Alliance to bring locally grown produce and items like eggs and milk directly from the farm to our Clubs.
The last week of the month, UFA brings boxes of the fresh to produce to two of our Clubs at deeply discounted prices so that Club families can afford the healthiest produce possible. Last month, more than 60 families benefitted from the program.
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BLUE JACKET SOCIETY CEREMONY |
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On April 14, BGCMC and AmeriCorps paid tribute to a select group of community leaders and educators at the annual Blue Jacket Society Ceremony.
"The Blue Jacket is a powerful symbol of idealism and being a part of something bigger than oneself, says Scott Crumpler, BGCMC Education Director. "For the students we serve in Martin County Elementary and Middle Schools, AmeriCorps members signify hope, inspiration, caring, and important mentorship."
Each year BGCMC and AmeriCorps members dedicate their Blue Jackets to a community leader who inspires us and has played a critical role in ensuring that our students get the academics and mentoring support they need to thrive.
This year inducted into the elite Blue Jacket Society were Tony Anderson and Marsha Powers, both Martin County School Board members; Dr. Alessandro Anzalone, President of Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus; Eula Clarke, Stuart Commissioner; David Heaton, Executive Director of Children’s Services Council of Martin County; Bonney Johnston of the William & Helen Thomas Charitable Trust, and Dr. Tracey Miller, Martin County School District’s assistant superintendent of academics.
Tony Anderson, who, during the ceremony, dedicated his jacket to his father, said later that the event was very touching. "I was very moved and impressed by the AmeriCorps members who have pledged themselves to the betterment of our community and the students in our schools. Photos of the event can be viewed on our gallery page. |
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BUSINESS PARTNER SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
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Brad Tanzer (far right) and the team at Reel Graphics, Signs & Embroidery. |
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Along with many other community leaders from local philanthropic and private business sectors, members of the BGCMC Business Partner Society invest in BGCMC. Their investment, financial as well as in-kind services, and thought leadership is invaluable to the advancement of the mission.
“Brad Tanzer of Reel Graphics Signs & Embroidery was one of our earliest members,” says Keith Fletcher. “And we are incredibly appreciative of his support and willingness to help us do whatever it takes to improve kids' lives. Brad is the quintessential example of a business leader that understands the importance of giving back to the community.”
As their name suggests, and with a sailfish in their logo, they are lovers of the environment and everything that makes a living on the Treasure Coast amazing. A multi-disciplinary print shop for more than 30 years they have been making signs for local businesses including BGCMC and other Business Partner Society members.
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Recently two exceptional leaders joined our Board of Directors. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Rishi Singh, President of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health (North and South Hospitals), and Dr. Ellen Libby, a renowned author, and psychotherapist to BGCMC.
Click here to learn about these newest members and other Board transitions, including a quote from Henry Saxon, the Regional Service Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
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Last month, Treasure Coast Business Brief named Keith Fletcher a Treasure Coast Leader to Watch.
His full interview with the Business Journal and other news stories, including a Stuart Magazine profile on Youth of the Year winner Fredd Galvez can be found on our news page.
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WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT, CLUBS ARE IN! |
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It's summertime, and we're ready! Ready for fun, academic enrichment, and exploration. While many of us fondly recall summer vacations and camps, that is not the case for many children in our community.
Fortunately, we are transforming that negative to a positive with our Summer Enrichment Camp programming. Your gift will help children have a safe place this summer to learn, grow and explore this, at no cost to their families.
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
For 30 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County has provided award-winning programs designed to guide and inspire young people ages 5-18 to learn, grow and mature in route to becoming successful adults. Each of the four Clubs and satellite Clubs enjoy strong partnerships with local schools and communities. Such cohesion ensures that Boys & Girls Clubs’ programs complement and enrich the curriculum our members learn in class as well as remain attuned to the challenges and opportunities they face on a day-to-day basis. The Clubs offer opportunities for fun, fitness, arts & culture, games of strategy, S.T.E.a.M. activities, robotics & technology, and certified teacher work with Club members on everything from tutoring and homework help to specialized project-based learning that prepares them for Bright Futures!
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