To kick-off National Boys & Girls Club Week, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County invites the community to join more than 4,100 Clubs across the nation in its effort to empower America’s youth by supporting the ‘Youth Bill of Rights ’on change.org. The effort calls attention to importance of providing children and teens with a place and platform where they are encouraged to express their concerns and engage in community initiatives. Along with the Bill of Rights, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County will host community events and activities that highlight the many ways that the Club is empowering the next generation of leaders in our Porter County communities.
The Youth Bill of Rights, written by Club members, is a shining example of how youth are empowered and supported at Boys & Girls Clubs. Young voices have the power to create social and community change and in this election year Club teens are advocating for their rights and voices to be heard.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is dedicated to making a positive influence on children and teens in our communities. We are proud of the work that our Clubs are doing to make this community great,” said Ryan Smiley, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “During this celebration we hope that the community is motivated by the things going on at our Clubs and are inspired to support our efforts.”
With the theme ‘Celebrate Red, White and Boys & Girls Club BLUE,’ National Boys & Girls Clubs Week, March 7-12, 2016 will feature the many ways Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is opening the door to great futures for children and teens Porter County.
During March 7 – 12, 2016 – the following activities and special programs will be happening at Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. Community members are invited to participate and take Club tours all week long:
Monday, March 7, 2016:
Duneland Club is hosting a Favorite Teacher Day! Teachers are invited to visit the Club, interact with their Club students, and learn what the Club has to offer. This is an open activity from after-school until the Club closes at 6:30 pm.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016:
Portage Club will be unveiling their new Comcast Internet Essentials Computer Lab! In partnership with Comcast, this lab is now open to the community from 12 to 2 pm every Tuesday and Thursday. The grand opening of the lab will take place from 5 to 6 pm.
Duneland Club is inviting Chesterton High School students to visit the Club from 3 to 5 pm, take a tour, and learn what the new Club will have to offer once expansion begins at the end of March!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016:
South Haven Club is excited to host a ribbon cutting on their Club’s new ArcelorMittal Stem Incubator Lab. Join our Club members in celebrating this exciting new Club room and program from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.
Valparaiso Club is hosting a Basketball Demonstration Clinic for those who registered for the Spring Basketball League from 6 – 7 pm.
Thursday, March 10, 2016:
Duneland and South Haven Clubs will be holding a community service project by collecting water to be shipped to Flint, MI during their water crisis. The South Haven Club is partnering with Northwest Indiana Truck Club who will ship the water to Flint. The goal is to collect 25+ cases of water. The South Haven Club is requesting all water donations be given by March 10th. For more information, contact Kristen Baker or Jason Kegebein at (219) 759-2565. Duneland Club’s water drive begins on March 10th. For more information about this Club’s water drive, contact Joe Juarez at (219) 926-9770.
Valparaiso Club is hosting a free dance for youth ages 5 to 12 from 4 – 6 pm. This is open to ALL youth both members and non-members.
Monday – Thursday, March 7 – 10, 2016: Valparaiso Club is inviting all children who are not members to attend the Club for free! The Club also will be holding a prize raffle during the dance on Thursday. Prizes will include a grand prize of a $20 gift card from a list of available choices.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Kidstop sites also will be hosting activities all week long including:
Monday, March 7, 2016: Jeopardy!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016: Spirit Day
Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Community Service Day
Thursday, March 10, 2016: Healthy Habits Day
Friday, March 1, 2016: Bring in a Friend and attend Kidscamp for FREE!
Also during National Boys & Girls Clubs Week, Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute and Computer Services, Inc. are serving as Blue Jeans for Blue Door Sponsors! On Friday through the whole month of March, Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute employees will pay a small fee to wear Blue Jeans. Computer Services, Inc. employees will be doing the same on March 11, 2016. Their fee for wearing blue jeans, matched by their companies, will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County!
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County:
For more than forty years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County (bgcpoco.org) has enabled young people to achieve GREAT futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Four Club sites and nine Kidstop locations throughout Porter County serves nearly 5,000 young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County provides a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. When school is out, our Clubs are in! Learn more about membership, volunteer opportunities, or how to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County by contacting your local Club at (219) 464-7282, or by visiting bgcpoco.org, facebook.com/bgcpoco, and twitter.com/bgcpoco. Great Futures Start HERE.