Last week, I was fortunate to meet 001, 002 and some other “double 0s.” Although these sound like secret agent code numbers, they are actually ID numbers for the first kids who joined Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County back in 2007.
That many of them are still in the club is a testament to the power of the place. I spent some time with one of these longtime club members (name withheld to maintain privacy) this week to hear his perspective on the club.
This young man has experienced some of life’s challenges but has been resilient, has become a B&G Club award winner and is a soon-to-be high school graduate (2015). One of the club goals (as well as a United Way goal) is to increase high school graduation rates. This young man is about to add to the ”good” side of the graduation data, and I was curious about the role the club played in that success.
This “double 0” joined the club because another friend was there. He said he stayed all of these years because of the numerous friendships he has with members and staff. Through seven years of friendship and fun, the club weaved in academic support, leadership training and tools for how to build a great life. Now he has become one of the staff and is still getting used to the idea he gets paid to come to the club.
He stressed the club is much more than a place. He said the club exists to welcome all kids and to serve them by giving them what they need to be kids. Those needs can vary, but for him, the needs included belonging, encouragement and a positive path. The club helped him overcome the fact he had seen more of the negative parts of life than kids his age should have to see. He recited an original poem for me about his experience, and it ended with the line, “This place made it better.”
He is mature enough now to realize the $15 club fee (per school year) does not nearly cover the cost to operate the club (actual cost about $800 per child), and giving is critical to the programs. I asked what he wanted to say to young people about becoming givers. He replied, “Giving is hard ... but then when you think ‘What is my money really doing when I give?’ it makes it easier to give.” He explained a gift of a dollar can go a long way. That very morning, some kids were having a spirited game of pingpong – until the ball got a dent. It happened to be the last intact pingpong ball, so the young man tried to remove the dent – without success. He pointed out a new ball would cost about 30 cents, and that ball would brighten the kids’ day.
Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County is one of 42 local agencies supported by gifts to United Way. Thank you.
Lynn Urban is president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Colorado.
