THE GREEN BAY AND SHEBOYGAN COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
In many communities, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. The Green Bay and Sheboygan County Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Their Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.
Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. They are truly The Positive Place For Kids. Realizing that one central location is not sufficient to service the broader community, both have created relationships with the local schools and expanded those relationships by creating other Clubs to service more youth.
PERSONAL STORIES | Testimony from a female Boys &
Girls Club member, age 16
I attended the Club nearly every day from when I was 8 until I turned 14.
I came every day to see the staff and play with my friends. I could get help with my homework, learn how to draw, or join the basketball team. It helped me stay out of trouble and they made sure I was doing my best in school. After my 8th grade year, my family moved to Racine, where we were from. I didn’t like it there and neither did my brothers. They got in all kinds of trouble and so did I. I got pregnant when I was 15 and had my daughter, who is now 18 months old. We were all having a hard time in Racine, so we finally moved back to Green Bay. I got involved in the Club again, because I didn’t know how I was going to support my baby. I joined the
FELLOWSHIP OPEN SUPPORT CENTER FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
This is a very effective partnership. The Fellowship Open supports organizations which are having a meaningful and demonstrable difference in the lives of the youngsters in the City of Milwaukee. In the nine years that the Fellowship Open has been in existence, it has highlighted and contributed in excess of $500,000 to more than 50 organizations which are having a real impact on kids in the city.
The Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship (CTE) is one of these organizations. CTE’s mission is to implement programs for young people ages 9-24 that promote the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Our goal is to provide an awareness of personal growth opportunities and build individual responsibility. Since it was founded in 1991, some 14,000 young people have participated in CTE’s workshops, and 55 youth-managed businesses have been developed.
This program also has a great retention rate, which creates a positive impact on the high school graduation rate and advancement to college. All of the 2009 high school graduates from this program are in college. In addition, 165 participants received internships.
PERSONAL STORIES | CTE Students’ Perspective
As a student in the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship, the Fellowship Open has made a big difference in my life. I thank them for making it possible for me to attend the Black Enterprise Youth Conference. It happened at a time when I was really wondering what the future held for me. I had dreams and things I wanted to do but I wasn’t sure how I could achieve them. When I attended the Black Enterprise Youth Conference I was exposed to a world that changed my outlook on life. The Black Enterprise Youth Conference was like attending a business mini-college.
Teens 2 Work program and got trained on everything I needed to know about getting a job.
I went through 12 weeks of training and then I got hired at the Club and started getting a paycheck. I did so well, that I even got moved to a school site where I got lots more hours and made more money. I’m thankful the Club gave me this chance so I could provide for my daughter. I’ll never forget the Club!
The encouragement and respect I received from so many people made me determined to go to college. I realized I had to prepare myself so I could make the future what I wanted. I am thankful for CTE broadening my thinking to include becoming an entrepreneur. With the support from the Fellowship Open I now strongly believe “I will be the CEO of Me.”
THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE 2010 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 69