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2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Board of Directors Officers Jeff Hunter President Doug Simon President–Elect long-time supporter eventually a career Tim Temby of ours recently told await them. When we 1st Vice President me he invests in our do this, we change our Ted Goodwin* work because he community from the 2nd Vice President believes “Boys & Girls Clubs change A communities inside out. Tim Kippenhan from the inside out.” I don’t think I’ve ever been Giving young Secretary able to crystalize what we do as well as our friend people, especially Christopher Schmidt did in those few words. Here’s what his remark those who are most in Treasurer means to me… need, the opportunities Lisbeth W. Bax* When we welcome a boy whose dad is in prison they might otherwise Immediate Past and who could very well be there too someday, go without, giving them a safe place when far too President and we connect him with someone who cares to many live in fear, and giving them relationships show him a different way, we can change that boy’s with caring adults when too often the relationships Board course in life. When we do this, we change our they do have may not be all they should be, does of Directors community from the inside out. change things. Sometimes it changes things Lee Allinger* When we provide more than 45,000 free meals quickly, sometimes it happens over time, but I Bob Aykens to kids, many of whom would not otherwise get know that it does as well as I know anything. Jay Bush the healthy nutrition they need, we help them Our same investor once told me that his John Carew* become ready to learn and engage with the world work through the Boys & Girls Clubs for the Lance Crane around them. When we do this, we change our kids of our community changed his own path in Rick Dercks community from the inside out. life. I’m moved by his sentiment. It’s helped me Glenn Edison When we go out at midnight as part of our recognize anew that this mission to help all kids William A. Faster services to runaway and homeless youth and reach their full potential is powerful, essential, Daniel T. Flaherty meet with a young girl who’s been kicked out and transformational. Moreover, I’m grateful The Hon. Greg Gill, Jr. of her home, we make her life safer and protect that together our board, donors, volunteers, staff Nancy Johnshoy* her future. When we do this, we change our members, and community partners have all joined Tim Kippenhan community from the inside out. to do the important, challenging and infinitely Paul Klister When we bring the newly single mother rewarding work of changing this community from Tony Kromanaker and her four and seven-year-old children into the inside out. Dustin McClone our Center for Grieving Children following the Thank you for all you have done to join with us Sally Mielke MISSION suicide of her husband and their father, we give in building greater futures for all the young people Pat Ness them a place to heal and the support they need to we are so privileged and honored to serve. Maame Yaa B. move forward. When we do this, we change our Norman, PhD The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley community from the inside out. Sincerely, David W. Rause When we tell the 1,000 kids we serve every day seeks to inspire and enable all youth, Jim Roeder in our Clubs that before they do anything else they Alison Schmidt especially those who need us most, need to get their homework done, or read, or do a Stephen Seifert* math worksheet, we help narrow that distressing Greg Lemke-Rochon Shannon Van Dyke to reach their full potential as productive, academic achievement gap, we help them stay Jeffrey Werner* on track to graduate on time, and we increase Steve Wieckert responsible and caring citizens. the likelihood that college, technical school, and *Past President 2014/15 Annual Report 1 At a Glance Safe Places Overview Outcome Driven IMPLY PUT, all children and youth need to Founded in 1998 to provide a tangible measure The Boys & Girls Club experience is feel and be safe. Youth thrive when they feel of hope for our community’s young people, characterized by targeted support in our three safe enough to take risks, the kinds of risks that the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley priority outcome areas: Academic Success, Good lead to new discoveries, self-confidence, and offers young people what they need and want Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. personal growth. The Club is a safe place where most – to feel and be safe, to know someone our young people venture forth to discover cares, and to be challenged by interesting, life- Accessible more about themselves, their world, their future enhancing activities. The Club is driven to help All Boys & Girls Club programs are offered at possibilities, and perhaps most importantly young people succeed in school, develop good low or no-cost to ensure access to all those who Sin this day and age, a place to just be a kid. character and citizenship, and live healthy lives. may benefit from help and support. Financial assistance is available to all. Who We Serve The Club serves more than 12,000 children and Staff and Volunteers youth each year and an average of more than 1,000 The Club’s mission was supported in 2014 by young people each school day. The Club is proud to the time and talents of 161 professional and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley serve all youth, but has an emphasis on those who paraprofessional staff and 731 volunteers. members score their Club as being need us most. Approximately 71 percent of Club safer than state, regional, and members live in low-income environments and 32 national benchmarks on 7 out of 8 percent live in poverty. measurements. What We Do Youth Development & Guidance The Club offers area youth daily access to a wide variety of positive youth development and guidance activities in five core areas: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, Healthy Lifestyles, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Youth & Family Services The Youth & Family Counseling Program, Center for Grieving Children, Runaway & Homeless Youth Services, Truancy Reduction and Assessment Center, and Targeted Outreach Initiative provide critical, no-cost help to children, youth, and families in need. 2 Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley 2014/15 Annual Report 3 Caring Adults Arriondra West Youth of the Year Mary Beth Bialecki ROWING UP in Chicago, Illinois, was a struggle. I remember having to crawl to the bathroom at night. My gramma would always lecture, “Bullets fly child!” My family lived through murder Gtrials, illnesses, and deaths of close loved ones, both young and old. I saw my mother cry every morning, just by looking into her eyes. It was as if life was being sucked out of her. My mom started looking for ARY BETH BIALECKI IS THE ONLY DIRECTOR his recess the next day doing it as it is about a way out. She wanted better the Boys & Girls Club of Stephen Foster helping him learn. schooling, better neighbors, MElementary Charter School in Appleton has It’s also no surprise that the Boys & Girls and a better chance for her kids ever had. Her impact on the thousands of Club of Foster Elementary School is a popular to make something positive of kids who’ve benefited from her kindness, place to be. A full 80 percent of the students their lives. her extraordinary dedication, and her at the school are Boys & Girls Club members. When I was 11 years old, my straightforward way of communicating and Parents know their children are having fun family moved to Appleton, Wis. connecting over the years is impossible to and learning in activities such as Art Club, I started attending the Boys underestimate. Mary Beth opened the Club 14 photography, MusicMakers, and Junior & Girls Club at my elementary years ago and quickly worked to integrate the Leaders. More importantly, they know their school. I was an outgoing kid who made different backgrounds; this is true beauty Club experience into the daily life of the school. children are spending time with someone friends easily considering the circumstances to me. The support I receive from CLUB Matt Zimmerman, Principal of Foster who is truly dedicated to kids, knows how to of my arrival. The school and Club were safe staff members and friends and the love of Elementary School, says, “Mary Beth is just communicate with them, and cares deeply. places to be compared to my experiences my family has helped me into leadership fantastic. It’s really hard to describe the Though many Club members live in low- in Chicago. positions. At the Boys & Girls Club I’m a impact she has here to do that justice. She’s income households, Mary Beth emphasizes I moved on to the Club at my middle junior staff member, excited to work with kids an active part of the Foster Elementary School that “time and talents can be given by school and participated in Money Matters, from so many different backgrounds, and a community, and it’s almost like she’s a staff anyone.” Giving back is a hallmark of the Boys SMART Girls, and Healthy Habits. I was voted leader with the African American Club at my member. She communicates with day school & Girls Club of Foster Elementary School.