Boys & Girls Club
Ron Crane introduced Ron Shaw, the President of the Boys and Girls Club of North Simcoe who thanked Rotary for its support in the purchase of their new van and introduced Kerri Court, the only paid employee of the Club.
Kerri thanked the Club for the opportunity to speak about the Boys and Girls Clubs. The Midland Club is part of a global affiliation which has grown from its beginning as a Boys Club in Houston in 1860. The first Canadian Club was in New Brunswick, founded in 1900. There are now over 700 clubs around the world.
Staff and volunteers offer a combination of physical education and arts programs and help kids with their studies. The program is aimed at the vulnerable ones and provides a safe, fun and inclusive environment during the school years at at camps over the summer at little or no cost.
The Midland Club began in 2006 with 30 kids and a waiting list and is now full time at the Midland Youth Centre. A lot of kids have a hard time getting to the Centre so part of the program has been to provide transportation for them from school. With the new van Rotary has helped them buy they can accommodate more kids more comfortably. There are 85 kids now participating and older youth who have participated are now volunteering to work with the younger ones and are learning together and building skills.
Kerri introduced Nicolle, a participant, who said thanks for the Club's support. She says she goes every day and it's always fun. She enjoys talking to Kerri and the staff cause they are always there for her and she was happy to say they care. She couldn't get to the Club without the van and is thankful for it.
Alison presented Kerri with a gift for her presentation and Kerri gave Alison one back.