MMCBGC Passport to Manhood enriches Young Men

Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club has kicked off a new program for boys ages 8 to 14, which reinforces character, leadership and positive behavior. Passport to Manhood is comprised of 14 sessions that use interactive activities, such as tying a tie, to focus on a specific aspect of character and manhood. It also includes a service project where boys learn the importance of giving back to the community. 

“Starting Passport to Manhood has been such a fun and exciting program for our boys to engage with,” Tabitha Lowe, MMBGC Program Coordinator shared. “This program matters because our Club youg men are the next generation and it is important to make a positive change in their life, so they can make a positive impact in others.”

Lowe said the boys have been learning how to properly dress, give back to their local community, work together and greet one another. 

“I’ve been enjoying Passport to Manhood because I like the activities that we’re being taught and can see why they are going to helpful to us down the road,” Jacob J., MMCBGC Club member said.

Adrian M., another Club member, echoed Jacob’s share by stating that he’s learned how to do things he’s never done before, like tying a tie, and how to help his family out where he lives.”

Lowe said she’s seen the youth interact with the program already within good leadership. 

“I had a Club member come up to me after finding some loose change that fell out of someone’s pocket inside the Club,” she said. “He quickly grabbed the change and brought it to me to hand back. He said, ‘I didn’t want anyone to take this money because it belongs to someone else and a good man always makes good decisions.”

For Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls club volunteer Walter Murray being a part of the Passport to. Manhood program has been a joy. 

“I absolutely enjoy being here at the Club with the members because they keep me smiling and engaged, Murray shared. “I was happy to step in during Passport to Manhood to offer input and share my experiences with the young boys.”

 To learn more about Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/mmc or call 706-342-1117.

Celebrating MMCBGC Members of the Month

TEEN OF THE MONTH

YOUTH OF THE MONTH

For Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club members being named Club Member of the Month is a big deal - it’s highlighting those Club members growth and leadership skills within the Club. 

Teen member of the Month, Denaisya Farley, who’s been a member for five years, said “the Club has helped me to become a better person and how to carry myself at school and at home in a way that opens up learning opportunities.”

Denaisya is a member of Torch Club, which allows her to express her ideas and give back to the community in a leadership Club experience,” Tabitha Lowe, MMBGC Program Coordinator shared. “She has been learning how to grow successful in life and how to be prepared to handle challenging situations. We’re so proud to call her our Teen Member of the Month.”

MMBGC Volunteer, Woody Buress, who tutors Denaisya and other Club members, shared that “Denaisya is a hard worker and loves working with math and reading challenges.”

Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Month, Kayden Hall, who’s been a member for two years, said “the Club offers me new places I’ve never been, new programs that help me learn and new friends that I didn’t know you could have – I love my Club.”

“Since meeting Kayden, she has become such a light in our Club,” Tabitha Lowe, MMBGC Program Coordinator said. “I’ve seen her grown from reciting the BGC way characters to willing asking staff if they need any assistance in their program areas. This is a true act of leadership and we are proud to have her here at MMCBGC.”

To learn more about Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/mmc or call 706-342-1117.

BGCNCG Youth of the Year headed to Atlanta

Ricquaria Griggs, the 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia Youth of the Year, has been busy preparing for her state competition debut in Atlanta where she’ll compete against Boys & Girls Club members from across Georgia. 

In order to qualify for the state competition, Ricquaria was required to complete three essays, collect three recommendation letters, prepare a 3-minute speech, and complete an extensive packet. On March 4th, she will give her speech and participate in a 12-minute interview for the chance to be named Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia’s Youth of the Year. In addition to her $1,500 of scholarship funding she has already been awarded, she will have the chance to win up to $7,000 of additional scholarship funds if she is named the state winner.

“All of Ricquaria’s hard work is with the intent for her to compete and be named the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year,” Brad Parr, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club director and Youth of the Year Coordinator for BGCNCG. “Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year where they serve as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club. Ricquaria echoes the characteristics and work ethic that the Youth of the Year program stands for – we are so proud of her.”

In preparation, Griggs has been giving her speech to local organizations in Greene County and amongst her Club peers. She’s also been working with community members on her interview skills.

“Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy,” Parr shared. “In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone - especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Ricquaria is such a bright young woman and we are thrilled to support her in her journey to the state competition.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club or Youth of the Year Ricquaria Griggs, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC Teens Engage in Entrepreneurship

Money Matters Course Underway 

Can you remember the first time you saw a budget for your money? How about using a calculator to figure out how much to tip at a restaurant? What about forming a business plan as a teenager?

 That’s exactly what the teens and tweens of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club are doing right now – learning how to build a business. As a part of a financial geared program, Money Matters, is underway at PNBGC to help educate teens on the importance of money management and wise choices. 

 Recently, the teens presented their very own entrepreneurship ideas to their peers.

“A major part of this program is teaching entrepreneurship,” Asia Mitchell, Teen Coordinator & PNBGC Alum member shared. “Our teens are going over the different career paths they could pursue, as for many Club members, owning a business is something they’re very interested in.”

 Mitchell said that this recent project gave “Club members the ability to research a business idea that interests them and develop a business plan. They reviewed their target market, demographic served, how much launching their business would cost and how to obtain a steady flow of income.”

 Businesses the teens created ranged from a smart watch that checks blood sugar levels for diabetes patients and a security system for your smart phone.   

“The Club youth have been learning the value of having a plan in place,” she said. “They’ve worked with balancing budgets and sticking to their overall business plan to become successful owners.”

Christian S, an seventh grader at PNBGC, said his favorite part about this project was “brainstorming ideas to make a resource that can help people with improving their health."

"In the Entrepreneurship Program I learned how to plan, organize and explain things," he shared. “The one thing that stuck out to me was being able to explain my invention to our peers, while being able to hear their thoughts and feedback was such a great feeling.”

Aaron S., an eighth grader at PNBGC, said “I learned I need to improve my organizational skills and that I enjoy thinking of ways to create my own business.”

“We got to get a taste of what it is like to present in front of a big crowd and it mattered to me because everyone should be able to express their ideas publicly, “Aaron shared. “Our Club peers embraced our ideas and that was fun.”

 “Our Club youth have loved this project so much because it’s so hands on and requires them to dig deep for new ideas,” Brad Parr, PNBGC Club Director shared. “It’s one of the many programs we have at our Club that challenges our youth to go outside their comfort zone and see the potential inside of themselves to become something unique in their adult lives.”

The Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club teens & tweens will continue their Money Matters courses for the remainder of the school year. 

To learn more about PNBGC, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenanceor call 706-920-1400. 

PNBGC Members Win Big at Science Fair

Celebrating Learning 

For Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club education is a critical component of a youth’s growth into a successful adult. Club members are encouraged to pursue their passions while at the Club and recently for three Pete Nance Club members their efforts paid off with big wins at the Green County School System Science fair. 

 Club member Jamiyah B. was awarded first place for her project on Hydroponics vs. Soil and Club members Tiejah D. and Shayla P. were awarded second place for their project on Sinkless Sand.

These three Club members have advanced to the Regional Science Fair at Northeast Georgia RESA, located in Athens, GA. 

“I’ve been a member of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club since I was five-years-old,” Jamiya shared. “My favorite program here at PNBGC is Smart Girls and Career Launch, which I feel have offered me so many engaging lessons that have helped informed my decisions about everyday situations and looking toward the future.”

 Jamiyah said that this year what’s impacted her most so far has been the Club’s help in encouraging her to be strong, not back down and go after her goals – like winning at the Science Fair. 

 “I’m learning new things every week here, “she said. “And, I get to do this learning with my friends and participate in interesting conversations during our programs.”

 Jamiyah says, “I feel like the members of the Club are so lucky to have a place to be in the afternoon that is safe and fun. I’m so glad my Club is here.”

 Cynthia Sumer, who is the education coordinator for Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, is over joyed for her Club members accomplishments.

 “Watching our youth transform is my favorite part of being a part of this Club, “She shared. “Jamiyah, for example, has gained so much confidence in her ability to make mindful choices. She is maturing into an individual who believes she can make a different now and in the future. And, that’s what we want for our youth – to believe in themselves.”

 To learn more about PNBGC, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400. 

BD Awards $5k to Newton Boys & Girls Club

  Pledges Ongoing Support

“We are very excited to support Newton County Boys & Girls Club’s doors opening and are thrilled to support moving forward as well,” Calvin Klitz, Vice President of Human Resources for BD shared.

BD, a global medical technology company, recently donated $5,000 toward NCBGC doors opening this year. It’s part of an ongoing partnership, Klitz mentioned, through Legacy Bard’s social giving program. 

“Community support is key to the success of Newton County Boys & Girls Club changing the lives of Newton’s youth,” Bob Mackey, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia said. “We are so grateful to BD for making the pledge to be supporters in our ongoing mission to serve the Newton youth with unique engaging programming that helps youth become productive adults.”

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club, visit Newton County’s club page!

Dr. Jep Paschal Committed to MMCBGC Youth

Dr. Jep Paschal believes in community giving and because of this he believes in giving toward life-change work happening within the Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club. It’s been Dr. Jep Paschal commitment to give each year toward Club and this year is no different. He recently visited the Club with a $10,000 check and was met with cheers from Club youth.

“Donating to the Club was a watershed moment in Paschal Orthodontics life of donating,” he shared. “It was the first significant annual donation that we were able to achieve and has since become one of our principle commitments. It is safe to say that this donation was a turning point in our lives and opened the door to an annual giving program that we truly appreciate being able to support.”

During his visit Dr. Paschal spoke to Club youth about the importance and power of learning. 

“You truly never stop learning,” he shared echoing that the Club provides them a place to practice their learning skills and how to become productive adults. 

It’s the youth themselves that pull on the heartstrings of Dr. Paschal for his continued involvement – for him, it’s a no brainer.

“Opportunity, future, community, commitment,” he shared. “These are the words that come to my mind when I think about the local Club. When I come here, I’m seeing children forming bonds with true mentors that are helping them become more than they would have been if the Club wasn't in their lives. I’ve seen community members grow because of the roles they are involved with at the Club.”

Giving to the Club matters to Dr. Paschal because “kids need a place to go where they can grow.”

“Giving matters because without it the Club ceases to exist.   The lives that it touches on a daily basis will cease to be exposed to local leaders and many business leaders the reside in or out of Madison.”

To learn more about Dr. Jep Paschal and Paschal Orthodontics, visit www.paschalorthodontics.com. To learn more about the Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club, visit MMCBGC Club page or call 706-342-1117.

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United Bank Believes in NCBGC

“There’s nothing else like Boys & Girls Club,” Thomas Kephart, United Bank President shared recently to a room of Newton County Boys & Girls Club board members. The occasion was the awarding of $2,500 check toward the opening of the Club’s doors this year. 

For Thomas believes in the difference Newton County Boys & Girls Club will make in Newton’s youth. 

“United Bank is pleased to be a sponsor of the Newton County Boys & Girls Club.  We have seen firsthand the increase in the western Newton County population density, and we feel that the Boys & Girls Club will meet an immediate need in that geographical area,” he said. “The organization has a tremendous reputation as a community resource, and the success stories from youth who have been impacted through the Boys & Girls Club are truly exciting and motivating.”

Bob Mackey, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, shared his appreciation toward United Bank’s commitment to Newton County youth. 

“Community support is the life blood of what we do and without businesses, like United Bank, we wouldn’t be able to say that this year we’re opening the doors to a place where our youth can become in Newton County.” 

Thomas shared United Bank is confident that “the Newton location will provide huge immediate opportunities for the youth in the area.”

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girl Club, visit our NEWTON COUNTY Club page.

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