BiddingForGood

This summer, our organization has seen extraordinary growth and impact:

• Expansion: We proudly opened a long-awaited Teen Center and four new afterschool locations, with one more (Killington Elementary School) slated to open for the 25/26 school year, extending our reach to serve more children in need across 14 sites. Summer day camp locations increased to six from four the prior year.
• Leadership Development: Malik Hines and Zach Belden have become Tier 1 trainers, now able to facilitate BGCA training for all staff. Directors across all sites are certified in providing trauma informed care to youth. Several staff members have earned associate and bachelor’s degrees over this past year. We remain committed to continuing education and development of our staff, nurturing an environment where staff and youth thrive.
• Engaging Programs: Our new STEM projects have sparked significant interest and a partnership with the MINT Makerspace at our Downtown location, and our enrichment clubs—including Yoga Club, Lego Club, and multiple hiking and swimming activities—have provided diverse and enriching experiences for our members. Recent funding for bussing services have allowed for offsite adventures across all sites.
• Community Involvement: Our staff and volunteers have been actively engaged in the community, including attending local events such as Friday Night Live, National Night Out, and partnering with organizations for activities like “Painting at Prouty’s” and story hours at multiple libraries.

Serving Those in Need:

We are deeply committed to supporting low-income families and children in DCF custody. Our programs are designed to provide a safe, supportive environment and valuable opportunities for growth and development.

Fall Expansion:

As we transition to the fall, we will expand our program sites to include:

• New Sites: Downtown Rutland Teen Center and afterschool sites in Wells, Middletown Springs, Lothrop, and Neshobe.
  August 9, 2024
• Existing Sites: Rutland City (also serving teens!), Fair Haven, Benson, Orwell, Castleton, Rutland Town, West Rutland, Proctor, Poultney, Wells, Middletown Springs, Lothrop, and Neshobe.

Our afterschool enrichment programs will include exciting new offerings such as the MINT Makerspace Club, Soccer Club, Volleyball Club, and Cooking Club, alongside our established programs like Smart Moves, Torch Club, and Power Hour.

Addressing Challenges:

Despite our successes, we face ongoing challenges:

• Behavioral and Staffing Support: We are working to improve support for staff managing behavioral issues and ensuring program consistency across locations. We continue to seek funding for one-to-ones, allowing us to address youth needing additional support to cooperate in a group setting.
• Recruitment: With the transition to fall, we are actively recruiting site coordinators and Youth Development Professionals to meet our staffing needs. Our partnership with Castleton University is strong and many of our best staff are students or recent graduates.

Future Prospects:

In addition to continuing to grow our relationships and afterschool sites with school districts throughout Rutland County, recent grant funding from Rutland Regional Medical Center has enabled us to secure additional staffing and launch 10 new teen enrichment groups at our new Teen Center in Downtown Rutland. Over time our Teen Center will include a Resource Hub for at risk youth needing support with food, clothing, sanitary products, connective resources, and more. Additionally, we are excited to develop a Boys and Girls Club Maker Space at Merchants Row, equipped with cutting-edge tools to foster creativity among our youth.

Your Support:

To sustain and enhance our programs, we are aiming to raise $75,000 during our Signature Event. Your support is crucial in helping us expand our reach, improve our services, and continue making a positive impact on the lives of the children we serve.

We warmly invite you to join us on September 12th to celebrate our achievements, explore our future goals, and contribute to our mission. Together, we can make a lasting difference in our community.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County.