Foundations 50th Anniversary Newsletter 2021

FOUNDATIONS

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June 25th, 2021 Fairview Baptist Church

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celebrating youth achievements!

Awards supported by

Spring 2021

Throughout the history of our Club and Foundation we have consistently provided opportunities to young people because Opportunity Changes Everything.

BGC Kawarthas Foundation planted roots in 1991 with the mission to support the programs at BGC Kawarthas and to ensure that no child is turned away due to financial barriers. Our names have changed a couple times over the years. The Club started as Kawartha Youth Incorporated way back in 1970. But even in those early days when Ron Kennedy advocated for space for “his boys”, it was about providing opportunities so that those kids could overcome barriers that stood in their way. Ron himself modelled the highest of values and continues to inspire our staff today. In June this year we will present the 2nd annual Ron Kennedy Scholarship to one of our deserving Kawartha Lakes Youth Award winners, directly giving that inspiring young person an incredible gift of opportunity.

We open our doors to all kids and teens across the Kawarthas and our names have recently been changed to reflect that. Removing gender from our names modernizes BGC Kawarthas and echoes the inclusive practices we’re known for without straying too far from our history. It also embraces the fact that we proudly serve young people and families of all ages, backgrounds and identities throughout the Kawarthas.

And it’s important to tell you, our supporters, that rebranding costs were borne by our national organization and locally we are not incurring new expenses to update the brand – things will be replaced as needed but not for reasons solely related to brand.

27th Annual

Jeff BCharity eukeboom Classic

Overcoming barriers has certainly been a focus of our Club and Foundation during the last 15 months: physical barriers have been everywhere. Kids and youth are separated from their peers, teachers and mentors by screens. Families are separated from their loved ones by many kilometers. Smiles are hidden by masks.

But since June 2020, while our Club has offered amazing virtual programs, our doors have been safely open to in-person programs as well. For instance, during the recent lockdown we offered a space for 30 children to do their online learning in a fun and safe environment in our Emergency Childcare program. Last summer we persevered to offer summer camp when many could not. Our child and youth mental health programs have continued without interruption throughout the pandemic.

Thursday August 5, 2021 Wolf Run Golf Club

Tee Times start at 8:00am

Registration: $175

4 choice take out meal

Includes: golf, meal &

Prizes & Online Auction

privilege card.

Special COVID19 pricing 705-324-4493 ext: 238

We have overcome many barriers in order to continue to provide a safe place. Our foundation has also overcome barriers in order to continue on our mission to Give the Gift of Opportunity with creative fundraising efforts and communications.

$50 tax receipt Hole Sponsor: $200

Still, we must do more.

lrichards@bgckl.com

Designed by Heather McCullough Resource Development Coordinator Printed Locally

107 Lindsay Street South Lindsay, Ontario K9V 2M5 (705) 324 - 4493

www.bgckawarthas.com

Charitable Organization No. 89919 8873 RR0001

From restrictions we will offer openness. From isolation we will rebuild community. From limitations we will emphasize inclusivity. BGC Kawarthas Foundation continues to need your help to support programs and services for children and youth throughout the Kawarthas. You help us provide opportunity and Opportunity Changes Everything!

Amy Terrill, Executive Director

Geoff Grier, Foundation Board President

It is the mission of BGC Kawarthas Foundation to support the aims of BGC Kawarthas by acquiring the necessary financial resources to meet local youth service needs.

Ron Kennedy’s Story

(Excerpts from an interview with long-time friend Bill Huskinson) Ron was born with Cerebral Palsy. His mother was told by the doctors that he would not live past 2 or 3 years. The doctor who gave that diagnosis did not realize how big of a soul Ron had and how many lives he needed to touch.

According to Bill Huskinson, “the board of education declined to educate Ron due to his disability, as it was believed he would not be able to contribute to the community. Boy, were they wrong.” Ron was educated by Miss Oswald, a private teacher, who came to his home. Two teachers at Queen Victoria who were aware of Ron, would bring his homework back and forth. It was Miss Oswald’s teaching, that homework and CBC Radio that made up his elementary school education. Ron later attended East York Collegiate in Toronto and Lindsay Collegiate. LCVI was not accessible. Ron would have 2 boys that would be called his “pushers”. They would leave class early with Ron, pile all their books on his knees and they would carry him in his wheelchair up and down stairs to get to the next class. After Ron completed his high school education, he enrolled in Trent University for Psychology and Sociology. At that time, the campus was also not accessible. It was because of these barriers that he was not able to consume the entirety of his education. Ron was left feeling frustrated and defeated, Our Founder, a very low point in his life. Ron was strong, however, and knew that he must Ron Kennedy, continue on to make a difference in the lives he touched. He would not let this barrier stop him. overcame barriers and

Ron became aware of the junior group (5-8-year-olds) living in the community. Some of these kids were living in tough situations, without food and clothes. They would go to Ron’s family home on the weekends to be fed, bathed, and get clean clothes to go off to school on Monday. That was the beginning of the Club that we know today. This was Ron’s calling in life, he had a big heart and wanted to help fill the need of the youth in the community.

for 50 years the Club has helped children overcome theirs... because

Opportunity Changes Everything

One Sunday morning all the windows in the Queen St. Church annex were broken on the main floor. Ron admitted, “my kids did it.” No one understood why kids would deface the building. Ron explained clearly that is was because “they hadn’t had anything else to do.” This fueled attention to the kids and within a month Queen Street opened up for programs for the kids. As well as, Cambridge Street for their gym, Saint Mary’s and the Anglican Church. Within a month-six weeks, there were various programs running at the different churches. Bill Huskinson helped by taking a car load of kids to Fleming for the pool. As a bit of time passed, there were additional cars to take more kids for a swim.

Ron has made an impact on so many lives with his involvement with various aspects of the community, including the Club. He was there to help the people around him, and solve problems of big needs. He not only made other peoples lives better by finding solutions no one else could, but he brought a warmth to the community that brought people together. Ron was one of the most well-read people you would ever meet, he had a vast array of knowledge. He was involved in various parts of the community, always working on something. He had the uncanny ability to recognize where the growing edge was in a person, no matter the person or the age. Ron was the most abled man who never walked.

From Club Kid to Staff, Lacey Maxwell Tells Her Story: Lacey started with the Club at age 6 and is now 24. She attended after school and then in high school was part of the Youth Centre. After graduating she joined our staff and works in the Youth Warehouse & Child Care Centre.

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I feel like the Club really raised me because there were so many things to be involved in, keeping me busy, and in a positive environment with positive people. The resources and staff were the biggest impact. The youth center really helped me a lot. As a child I went to the Club for care, but when I became a teenager, I came to the Warehouse by choice. Everything that I experienced in the Warehouse was life changing: the environment, all the support from the staff, learning simple life skills (cooking/cleaning). They showed me what it is like to be a part of a team. Now, working in the Child Care Center, I am able to access a grant that will help support me to get my ECE education which is a huge opportunity. I hope to continue working in the Child Care Center, as well as, never leaving the Warehouse as it is my home and everyone knows that I am obsessed with it.

I honestly just want to say thank you to the Club. I would like to say that I am a product of that agency because I have been in so many programs, seen so many people, and have been impacted by so many staff. They have really supported me through a lot growing up. It was rough for me but the Club was there every single time.

They have been there to support me, get me connected to other services to help me be a healthy adult, and I think that is all that they hope for the children that walk through their doors.

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Bill Hughes – Former ED (1977-2001)

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Scott Robertson - Former ED (2001-2019)

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I think the most important thing the Club does is to treat each child or youth as an individual with unique needs and dreams. Thousands of young people have come through the doors of the Club and the relationships they build with the staff (paid and unpaid) and the other kids change them forever. They become more resilient and gain positive traits that lead them to success in later life. I love that children from all walks of life come together and are able to overcome challenges they face. I know this is true because I’ve not only seen it happen to kids at the Club, it happened to me too.

Ron changed so many lives, and left an ever-lasting impression on whoever he touched. It is because of Ron that we are here today, continuing his mission to fill the needs of the children and youth of our communities.

Ron we are forever grateful for the inspirational mark you have left with us, you will always be in our hearts.

Give the Gift of Opportunity

You can leave a life changing mark on our 50th anniversary year. We are looking for 50 people to donate $1000 who will be acknowledged with a special plaque in our front entry as part of our commemoration.

My memories are simply about the people.

Yes, we achieved some great things. We built the organization up in terms of its programming; I was able to secure a phenomenal facility by way of donation; we developed significantly greater income streams and built a great organization. But... the best thing was the impact we had on kids lives, the staff group I was able to assemble and the great leaders we had on the board such as Carol Timlin, Ted Abbot, and Mike Puffer. The staff all were there for the right reasons.

I’m so proud of them all.

Ron had many obstacles in his life, but that never stopped him from doing anything he set his mind to. He hurdled over every barrier ever put in front of him like it was a pebble on the ground.

www.bgckawarthas.com

50 FOR 50TH AT $1000

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www.bgckawarthas.com

Give the Gift of Opportunity

SPLASH PAD! DONATE AN HOUR OF SMILES! There is widespread recognition that the isolation, anxiety and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had negative impacts on children, youth and families. It’s been a tough 15 months. But this summer, you can help us lift the spirits of kids in our community.

Traditionally, you have helped us send a kid to camp. This year, we need your help to power the Splash Pad weekdays for our summer camps and for the broader community on weekends.

The sheer joy that we see on children’s faces as they wait gleefully for the water to rain down on them, or as they run through the jets, brings smiles and laughter to parents and our staff as well.

And we all need to smile...

Turning the taps on comes at a cost to our Club. Each hour costs about $60 in water and sewer charges and additional costs.

Our Splash Pad is an essential part of our summer camp programs and we would like to open to the public on weekends all summer long. It is a vital summer activity for our local community that offers enjoyment to all ages and all abilities. With your help we can provide hundreds of hours of pure fun and huge smiles!

We need your help to turn on the taps this summer and turn up the smiles!

Let’s wash away some of the negative effects that the pandemic has had on children in our community and help to give them a summer they will want to remember!

Each dollar we raise in June also gives us an opportunity to win a $20,000 donation from Canada Helps Great Canadian Giving Challenge.

50th Timeline highlights 1970: Established as Kawartha Youth Incorporated.

1974: Purchased and renovated a building at 38 Cambridge St. N. 1988: Changed name to Lindsay Boys and Girls Club to reflect national affiliation.

1991: Formed and incorporated the Lindsay Boys and Girls Club Foundation.

1995: Licensed Childcare centre opens at Dr. George Hall Public School.

1997: Alloway Corporation gift of the Deyell building and 8 acres of land.

2000: Moved into new building on 107 Lindsay St. South.

2001: Mile High Adventures opened.

2002: Name changes to Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes.

2006: Kids in Motion opened.

2008: Opened Youth Resource Centre at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes.

2012: Name changed from Mile High to PEAK rock climbing. Warehouse opened.

2016: New office renovation at the front. Outdoor Basketball Courts.

2018: New Day Care rooms. Outdoor Beach Volleyball courts installed.

2019: Splash Pad installed.

2021: Name change to BGC Kawarthas. New tagline: Club: Opportunity Changes Everything Foundation: Give the Gift of Opportunity

Fomer ED Bill Hughes recalls the moment our current building caught his eye:

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I was driving around town looking for an alternative facility/site when I noticed the former John Deyell bookbinding plant for sale. It had been for sale for a while. I had probably seen it a hundred times before but never considered it an option. Likely because we weren’t thinking big enough.

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More than a year later and after many phone calls and a few face-to-face meetings with the owners of the property, a lot of hard work, and with help from many on the Board of Directors, the building was donated to the Club and Bill’s vision was born.

Our Alumni Remember

bgckawarthas.com/get-involved/join-our-alumni

{{ I remember summer camp in the upper part of the old arena (where Valumart is now) with field trips to Ken Reid Park.

I remember cleaning and emptying the original building so the KYI could move in and those paper drives on Saturday mornings would fill the bottom floor. Hard work but it built your selfesteem. Ron Kennedy, and Norm would watch over us kids, great memories.

I basically lived at the KYI in my youth. When I started it was upstairs in the arena. Also, worked as a camp counsellor at the day camp they ran.

Many great memories.

I remember when they built the gym. Us kids did all sorts of drives to earn funds! KYI never turned a kid away because they didn’t have the funds; Ron Kennedy & Norman Cooper made sure of that!

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www.bgckawarthas.com

Give the Gift of Opportunity