Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro GREAT FUTURES START HERE. Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro Annual Report 2016-2017
A Message From Our President Educating and empowering young people to be productive, responsible citizens is a core concept of the Boys & Girls Club mission nationwide but especially here in Brattleboro. If there ever was a time such a mission could play a significant role in our nation's future it is now. Board of Directors Marcia Steckler President Retired Educator Steve Gordon Vice President CEO, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Lisa Ford Secretary Parent Robert Nassau, MD Treasurer Retired Pediatrician Larry Alper Educational Consultant Scott Aronowitz Educator, Keene Middle School Scott Gordon-Macey Financial Planner, Baystate Financial Mike Powers General Manager, 99 Restaurant Linda Rinder Nurse, Brattleboro Union High School As president of the Board, I have seen first-hand the positive impact that the Club can have for the young people who participate in Club activities and programs. The statistics reflected in this annual report speak volumes regarding the number of youth in this community who participate in Club programs -- from region-wide leadership opportunities for teens to day-long summer camps for the children of local working families. The outcomes also reflect the dedicated commitment of the Club's staff and their BGCA training as youth development professionals. When Ricky Davidson took over as the Club's Executive Director last October, he began implementing programs strategically targeting the needs of elementary school age children in our Flat Street and Westgate Club sites. The number of meals served free of charge to area youth for both dinner and week-day summer lunches more than doubled during the past year. Additionally, the Club is expanding its prevention programs and out-reach for older teens and middle school age members. While these initiatives illustrate the Club's pro-active work on behalf of area young people, they are also indicators of the evident need for meaningful after-school child care, the prevalence of food insecurity facing area families and the need to combat substance abuse across all socio-economic lines in our community. To accomplish this requires support in many forms. The Club continues to diversify its funding sources, ranging from private foundations, corporate sponsorships and state and federal grants, to fund-raising events such as our annual Going-the-Distance bike ride which raised over $50,000 this year. We depend upon the generosity and on-going support of individuals and businesses from our local area to help with capital improvements and to provide nearly 20% of our annual budget. We rely upon the time and talent of volunteers to serve as mentors in STEM and other educational programs, in the Club's bike repair shop, and with various health and wellness programs. We also need volunteers to serve as advisors for Board committees and as Board members. The Club indeed plays an important role in our community. Thanks to the dedicated work of Club staff and the generosity of community donors, the outcomes highlighted in this report are inspirational. I encourage you to consider how you might help further the Brattleboro Club's mission of enabling ALL its young members to become productive, responsible and caring citizens. We welcome your time, your talents and your philanthropic investment in helping to sustain our vision of empowering young people through inclusive and aspirational opportunities. Marcia S. Steckler, Board President 2016-2017 Annual Report
Our Staff Ricky Davidson Executive Director Gabriel Weiss Flat Street Unit Director Melissa Renaud Westgate Program Coordinator Jamie Mahon Administrative Coordinator Ryan Squires Summer Program Coordinator Hannah Manon Kids Club Coordinator Shantell Rizzitano Kitchen Coordinator Program Staff Jessica Hanson Iain Haukka Kathleen Mackin Caleb Morris Emilee Rogers Matthew Whalen Jes Wright Words from Our Executive Director The 2016-2017 fiscal year has been one of change and growth for the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro. In the summer of 2016, we expanded our summer camps to serve more kids and families. In the fall of 2016, we started Kids Club, a licensed afterschool program for members from first through fifth grade. We also saw a dramatic increase in our average daily attendance during the school year, doubling and occasionally tripling the number of children participating in our after-school offerings. We also saw a corresponding increase in the numbers of meals and snacks we served free of charge to youth and families. This year, our annual Youth of the Year program for teens included BGCA s newly instituted Jr. Youth of the Year activities. At a ceremony in February, Casandra Earp was named Brattleboro s first ever Junior Youth of the Year. In May, Casandra joined long time member and Brattleboro s Youth of the Year Derrick Harnish in Montpelier for the state competition. At this ceremony, Derrick was chosen to represent Vermont at BGCA s regional competition in New York City. Our Brattleboro organization is proud to be the home of Vermont s State Youth of the Year for the second year in a row. This past spring also included significant renovations in our music and performance space. This effort, spear-headed by David Snyder, is already opening doors for mission-based collaboration with other non-profits such as BrattRock. Looking ahead, 2017-2018 will feature expanded offerings and opportunities for young people. We anticipate adding licensed after-school programs at our Westgate Club House and continuing to grow the number of youth we serve every day. Other plans include program-related improvements and some necessary repairs to our Flat Street Club House. This has been a year of change for me as well, moving from the role of interim director during the summer to that of executive director starting in the fall of 2016, and I am grateful to the Board of directors for their support as I transitioned into my new role. I want to recognize the club staff for their hard work and dedication to the young people in our community; they change lives for the better every day. Most of all I want to give a big thank you to our members, whose energy, humor, dreams, passion and compassion make every day a true joy. Ricky Davidson Executive Director 2016 2017 Annual Report
2016-2017 Fiscal Information 2016-2017 Annual Report
2016-2017 Highlights Out of our 1,100 members we have an average of 74 youth in attendance daily. We combat food insecurities, having served 19,434 snacks and 11,175 dinners free of charge. Club Member Derrick Harnish 2017 Vermont State Youth of the Year. Our members participate in over 3,240 hours of community service through the club. 100% of our teens graduate on time with a plan 2016 2017 Annual Report
Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro Our Mission To inspire young people especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro 17 Flat Street Brattleboro VT 05301 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BRATTLEBORO, VT PERMIT #21 2016-2017 Annual Report