Club Connection - Newsletter May 2024

YOUTH OF THE YEAR is our signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.

Angelina Sousa

A WORD FROM ANGELINA

TheimpactIwillmakeasNational YouthoftheYearisthesameimpact theClubhadonme.Iwillchooseto makeadifferenceinmycommunity. Iwillcontinuetotrymyhardestday bydaytobeaninfluentialrole modelforthechildrenIcomeacross duringmytimeattheclub.Iwill showmyleadershipanddedication ineverymomentwhenhelpingwithin theclub. Toreadmorevisit: www.bgcmetrowest.org/youth-of-the-year

H H ME ME

2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION BREAKFAST

The Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest hosted their annual Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Marlborough on Thursday, May 16, 2024. This event honored five outstanding individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to the Clubs, providing support through personal, professional, or financial means, benefiting the MetroWest community. With a long-standing 80-year history deeply connected to Marlborough and its surrounding areas, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the remarkable volunteers and supporters who have advanced the mission of BGCMW.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees included Bill Parks, Jeff Stupik, Ken Vonasek, Gayle Vonasek and the Ron Young Memorial Award honoree, Paul Connor

Congratulations toall honoredthis year!

FUN TIMES DURING APRIL BREAK

School's out, but the learning (and fun!) doesn't stop at the Club! During April vacation week, our doorswereopenfrom8:00amto6:00pm.

Research shows that attending programs like ours during breaks can significantly benefit kids. These programs can boost academic performance, strengthen social skills, and even help reduce problembehaviors.

Our amazing staff created a jam-packed week filled with exciting activities. From STEM challenges that sparked creativity to obstacle courses that got kids moving. Our Clubs were hubsoffunandlearning!

This year, one activity in particular had imaginations running wild: designing, building, and testing paper plate roller coasters! Kids sketched their ideas, carefully assembled their creations, and proudly showcased their design and constructionskills

HAPPY

FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL-YEAR!

We're thrilled to announce that over 200 young peopleparticipatedinClubactivitiesthroughoutthe week. Seeing so many kids enjoying a fun and enriching experience is what makes the Boys & GirlsClubsorewarding!

Lookingforasafeandstimulatingenvironment where your child can learn and grow? Happy Hours Preschool offers nurturing classrooms, dedicated teachers, and a fun curriculum for ages29-5yearsold Scheduleavisittoday! Smallclasssizesforpersonalizedattention Focusonsocial,emotional,andintellectual development Experiencedandcaringteachers

Spotsarefillingup!CallBarbaraMastersonat 508-485-4912Ext 214oremail

barbaramasterson@bgcmetrowestorgfor moreinformation!

Visit www.bgcmetrowest.org/happy-hourspreschooltolearnmoreandregister.

CLUB ALUMNA, LARIANNY PEREZ, VISITS THE FRAMINGHAM CLUB

We’re always thrilled to welcome alumni back to the Club! It was especially exciting to have Framingham alumna Larianny Perez visit, who graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Theater and Performance She’s a talented actress for Dhar Mann Studios which our members are very familiar with. She has also worked production for Raven’s Home and has recentlycameoutinGrown-ish.

They were eager to hear about her journey and the experiencesshehashadintheentertainmentindustry Larianny shared stories of her time living in Framingham and the perseverance it took to achieve herdreams.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions and take photos, and get a signed photograph. Larianny's visitwasnotjustawalkdownmemorylanebutabridge between past and present, showing the current members that with hard work and dedication, they too canachievegreatness.

The Club is grateful for alumni like Larianny, who continue to support and uplift the community. It’s moments like these that remind us of the powerful impact our alumni can have, encouraging the next generationtodreambigandreachforthestars.

HUDSON & MARLBOROUGH’S KEYSTONE CLUB’S IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

For the start of the Spring, Hudson’s Keystone Club teamed up with amazing volunteers from the Hudson Food Pantry to assemble food kits for local children facing food insecurity. Working sideby-side, Keystone members and pantry volunteers packed nutritious meals that will make a real differenceintheircommunity!

In April the giving spirit continued! The Hudson Keystone Club also donated food to the Marlborough Community Cupboard, ensuring much-needed assistance for families in the area They gave $200 worth of food and a $50 cash donation to the Cupboard Along with that, the Marlborough Club also donated $150 worth of food to Marlborough Community Cupboard. These acts of charity by the Keystone Club members are trulyinspiring!

FRAMINGHAM KEYSTONE CLUB

DONATES TO UNITED WAY OF TRI-COUNTY

Our Framingham Keystone members generously donated $75 in cash to the United Way of Tri County in Framingham. The local pantries urgently require assistance, and our Keystone members are always ready to lend a helping hand. Due to the high demand for aid, pantries areexperiencingacriticalshortageoffood

The spirit of generosity and community support is truly inspiring By working together, we can ensure that no family goes hungry and that everyone in our community has access to the nutritious foodtheyneed.

CLUB STAFF ATTEND COMMUNITY EVENTS

This May was full of fun community events! Marlborough staff joined the Family Fun Festival on May 5th at Ward Park, hosted by the GFWC Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club. At the event, BGCMW had a table offering details about summer activities and programs to families. They also facilitated an art project and a STEM project to engage children in attendance.

Just a couple days later, BGCMW staff also participated in the Hudson Wellness fair on May 7th They organized gym games for children present, allowing parents and families to access services like eye exams without worrying about their kids. They also set up a table to share information about the Clubs, summer registration, and all available programs.

We are grateful for the staff's efforts! Thank you for being the backbone of our success and for continuously putting in your best efforts Your contributions are truly valued and appreciated by all.

MAIN ST BANK WORKSHOP

Thanks to Main Street Bank, Marlborough&HudsonClubteensgotan inside look at the exciting careers in banking

The teens participated in a workshop that covered various areas like marketing, human resources, and information technology. This insightful session opened their eyes to the diverse possibilitieswithinthebankingindustry. A huge thank you to Main Street Bank for investing in our community's future by empowering these young minds. Their generosityismakingarealdifference!

OUT METROWEST TEEN WORKSHOP

Huge shoutout to OUT MetroWest for leading a teen workshop at the Framingham Clubhouse! All three clubs came together for this special night And a big thanks to Chick-fil-A for fueling ourteenswithadeliciousdinner!

The workshop was an incredible opportunity for personal growth, as participants engaged in meaningful discussions and activities that promoted self-awareness, empathy, and leadershipskills.

Teenworkshopsarefrequentlyheldastheycan providesignificantbenefitstoourmembers.

These sessions offer a supportive environment whereyoungindividualscandevelopnewskills, explore their interests, and build lasting friendships.Byparticipatingintheseworkshops, teens gain confidence, enhance their creativity, and learn the importance of teamwork and collaboration Overall, these workshops empower teens to become well-rounded individuals who are prepared to face the challenges of adulthood with resilience and a positivemindset.

TEEN SELF CARE DAY

Club Teen Self Care Spa Night at the Framingham Clubhouse was a success. Teens pampered their faces with masks, groomed their nails and got creative with nail polish. It was a teen night well spent, nourishing both body and spirit!

CONGRESSWOMAN LORI TRAHAN SECURES $2.2 MILLION FOR THE CPF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Congresswoman Lori Trahan secured $2.2 million for the CPF Workforce Development project, which is being divided between 5 Boys & Girls Clubs, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. The funding will support the Club’s workforce development and job training strategies for the next 18 months. The Club is excited to offer additional opportunities for teens to secure on-the-job internships and trainings, complete programs such as CareerLaunch, Diplomas to Degrees, and Up Next, and build the skills teens need to be successful in their future.

We are grateful to Congresswoman Lori Trahan for securing this funding and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lowell for managing the grant!

BGCMW Alumni, Friends & Family Reunion

The Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest Alumni from Hudson, Framingham, and Marlborough invite you to the BGCMW Alumni, Friends & Family Reunion! Join us on Sat, June 8th at the Marlborough Clubhouse for an action-packed day to reconnect with fellow alumni and staff!

BGCMW Annual

Gala & Auction

Gathering MetroWest’s influential professionals, the Gala is a celebration of our Club members. This event includes an extensive silent auction, three-course dinner, as well as a Fund-ANeed portion We also present the Michael C Sullivan Memorial Award and the Community Partner for Youth Award. SAVE THE DATE!

It REALLY takes a village. INTERESTEDIN VOLUNTEERING?

If you are an individual who is looking to volunteer, we encourage you to connect with a Club near you to find out what volunteer opportunities they have and where your time can make the biggest impact.

MarlboroughClubhouse:(508)485-4912

HudsonClubhouse:(978)562-9924

FraminghamClubhouse:(508)620-7145

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while also gaining valuable experience. By volunteering at one of our Clubhouses, you can help make a positive impact on the lives of young people in MetroWest. Whether you are interested in mentoring, coaching, or simply lending a helping hand, there are many opportunities available. If you are part of a group or organization that is interested in volunteering, you can contact Laura Terzigni to discuss potential options and opportunities.

Groups who are interested in volunteering can reach out to Laura Terzigni at 508-485-4912 or email laura.terzigni@bgcmetrowest.org

YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT OUR CLUBS BY VISITING THE LINK BELOW OR SCANNING THE QR CODE!

Your commitment to serving others is truly inspiring and we look forward to continuing our important work together. Thank you for being such valuable members of our team!

Synopsys volunteers visited the Hudson Club this spring to clean-up and beautify the outdoor area and landscape. Their dedication and effort have significantly improved the outdoor space, creating a vibrant and inviting environment for all Club members. We appreciate all their supportandhelp!

A big thank you to Synopsys for dedicating timetoourClub!

ALL-PRO TREE SERVICE DONATION

A heartfelt thank you to All Pro Tree Service! Their generous donation and hard work removing the tree at the Hudson Clubhouse have made a real difference. We truly appreciate their expertise and willingness to help. Thank you for supporting our Clubs!

YourDonation MakesaReal Difference.

Thegeneroussupportofourdonorsiswhattruly fuels our programs and allows us to make a lasting impact on the lives of these young people.Nomatterthesize,yourdonationmakes adifference.

Herearesomewaysyoucancontribute:

MakeaSecureOnlineDonation:Visitour websiteatwww.bgcmetrowest.orgtodonate quicklyandeasily

BecomeaMonthlyDonor:Yourongoing supportprovidesadependablefoundation forourprograms.

OrganizeaFundraisingEvent:Get creativeandrallyyourcommunitytosupport BGCMW.

In-KindDonations

If you'd prefer to donate specific items, please contact our individual Clubs directly to inquire aboutcurrentneeds.

At BGCMW, we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our donors. Your generosity allows us to create a safe and enrichingspacewherekidscanlearn,grow,and thrive.

Together,wecanmakeadifferenceinthelives of countless children. Donate today and help shape a brighter future for the youth of MetroWest!