News Archive

Fall 2011 Newsletter

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Read our Fall/Winter newsletter.

:: Click here to download ::

Shining Star: Anti-Bullying play

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County perform an original play about not smoking and bullying.

Report to the Community 2010

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Read our Report to the Community for 2010. Read about the stories of change and transformation that our clients went through

Click here for the report.

Kids help prepare for On the River

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Kids help prepare for On the River

Posted: Jun 24, 2011 12:43 PM EDT

By Britt Conway, Multimedia Journalist, FOX28

A day of fun in the sun for a good cause. That's what On the River is all about.

The big event on the banks of the St. Joseph River in South Bend is a little more than a month away and organizers are in full swing getting everything ready. That includes preparing the 'beach' area. Volunteers from Target and the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County were on site Friday to lend a hand. They pulled weeds, picked up trash and raked the sand.

"The whole mission of On the River is to transform the landscape of our community," says Event Director Aaron Perri, "and also transform the lives of those folks that live at the Center for the Homeless. So these kids are getting a chance to really make a direct impact on their community themselves."

Amanda Burkhart is one of the volunteers who came with the Boys and Girls Club.

"It makes me feel good to help people because I know that they don't have a lot right now," says the sixth grader. "I like yard work and I like helping people so it's like a bonus."

On the River takes place August 5th and 6th. All of the proceeds go straight to the South Bend Center for the Homeless.

Spring 2011 Newsletter

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Read our Spring/Summer newsletter.

:: Click here to download ::

Great big Kid Craig Horvath interviewed on WNDU

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Watch Great Big Kid candidate Craig Horvath talk with WNDU's Tricia Sloma about Youth of the Year and being a Great Big Kid.

Great Big Kid candidate Aaron Perri interviewed on 103.9 The Bear!

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Great Big Kid candidate Aaron Perri interviewed on 103.9 The Bear!

Boys & Girls Clubs is a Big help to Families

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

WNDU discusses what makes the Club special.

Watch the WNDU coverage of our Youth of the Year candidates

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The St. Joseph County Boys and Girls Club announced its candidates for 2011’s Youth of the Year in a press conference on Wednesday.

The nominees for the award are: Aubrei Hayes, Chloe Teall, Curtis Anderson, Jeannette Rogers, Marquis Taylor and Darius Cristler. All are considered to be great role models for other students at the Club.

"All the kids deserve to be Youth of the Year because they've overcome some incredible challenges in their lives,” said John Morgan, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County. “But this is a time when we pick a select few and we highlight them. But they represent all of the kids here at Boys and Girls Club."

The kids will be paired with local business leaders who are competing for their own award.

It all comes down to a fundraising contest to determine who will be the greatest big kid, with the awards being presented at a dinner in April.

For more information on the Boys and Girls Club and how you can donate, click here.

Youth of the Year Press Conference

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jory Fitzgerald Kelly, Director of Development

Business: 574.259.5666 x 306

Mobile: 574.876.1068

E-Mail: jfitzgerald@fccin.org

Press Conference:

When: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

4:00pm

Who: Youth of the Year Candidates and Great Big Kid Mentors

Where: Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County

O. C. Carmichael, Jr. Youth Center

502 West Sample Street

South Bend, IN 46601

Who’s the Greatest Big Kid in Town?

Boys & Girls Club team with adult mentors through Youth of the Year process

April 15, 2011, South Bend – The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Every year the Boys & Girls Clubs of America reaffirms this mission by celebrating exemplary youth in Clubs across the nation with the Youth of the Year program. The Youth of the Year journey begins locally when youth, nominated by Club staff and peers, accept the challenge to rise above their circumstances and make positive changes in their lives, Club, and community.

This year the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County are pairing these exceptional youth with adult mentors or GREAT BIG KIDS who will share in the Youth of the Year journey. Created as a way to foster positive relationships between adults and young people and create advocates for the Club, GREAT BIG KIDS is an opportunity we are truly excited about.

This new initiative will allow our community’s GREAT BIG KIDS to support the Boys & Girls Club in two ways: as a mentor to a youth member and as an advocate for the Club. Youth of The Year will be awarded by a panel of judges based on candidates promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The Greatest Big Kid in Town award will go to the mentor who raises the most money in support of Club programming. Both will be awarded in an event on April 15, 2011. The Youth of the Year Candidate will go on to represent their Club at a regional competition, and then National.

Great Big Kid candidates are fundraising using personal webpages and other social media applications such as twitter and Facebook. Their pages can be found at GreatBigKid.org.

Great Big Kid candidates:

· Shawn Henderson, Washington High School: Shawn is the Coordinator of Student Services at Washington High School and the South Bend School Corporation awarded him Teacher of the Year in 2008. He brings a warm and compassionate heart to his ministry at Heroes Camp, which focuses on fathering and mentoring young men. His kind and loving spirit wins the trust and confidence of many hurting kids. After graduating Riley High School, Shawn attended Maryville College in Tennessee where he played ball his entire college career and led his team to an All Conference Championship. Graduating with a B.A. in Psychology and later completing his Masters in Early Childhood Education from I.U.S.B. Shawn is a devoted teacher. His devotion to helping build strong young men for our community will be an asset to his Youth of the Year candidate.

o Shawn is mentoring Darius Cristler an 8th grader at Edison Intermediate Center. Darius has been a Boys & Girls Club member for four years. He enjoys the opportunity to play basketball and hang out with friends while at the Club. Darius “loves the good sportsmanship and positive attitudes of (his) fellow Club members.” He credits the Club for not only providing a place to get homework help and meet new friends but also a place where he can mature into a young man.

· Craig Horvath, University of Notre Dame: Formerly a major Gifts Officer at Holy Cross College, Craig recently took on a new challenge at the University of Notre Dame Reunion office. In his spare time, he coaches in the Junior Irish Travel Soccer program, is a board member of the Downtown South Bend Rotary Club, is an active member of C.A.S.E. (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), is a board member of A.F.P. (Association of Fundraising Professionals), is on the Leadership South Bend/Mishawaka class of 36, is a Dream Team mentor for the SBCSC (South Bend Community School Corporation), is on the Crime Stoppers ad-hoc Committee and is a member of the Notre Dame St. Joseph Valley Alumni Club. In short, Craig has made a commitment to teaching our youth. With a zest for life and education, Craig is sure to be a wonderful mentor.

o Craig is mentoring Jeanette Rogers, a student at Adams High School. Jeanette’s dream is to become a veterinarian, own a home, get married and have a family. The junior at Adams High School has been an active Club member for three years. She enjoys the variety of activities the Club offers: volleyball, basketball, field trips. However, she also appreciates the opportunity to have help on homework, receive advice from Club staff and hang out with her peers in a safe environment. Jeanette’s charismatic personality is always shining through.

· Aaron Perri, Legends of Notre Dame: Amongst Aaron’s many talents; his commitment to service of his community shines above all. As a volunteer for Center for the Homeless and On The River Fest (which he co-founded) and Boys & Girls Clubs, Aaron knows that making a strong community begins with making strong kids. His passion for community and family will be a great asset to the child he mentors.

o Aaron is mentoring Brei Hayes, a student at Jefferson Intermediate Center. Aubrei “Brei” Hayes has been a Club member for eight years! Just like her Great Big Kid mentor, Brei sees the importance of a strong community. Brei is involved in numerous activities both at school and at the Club. At school Brei volunteers her time to tutor younger students. At the Club she is involved in ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Club, choir, volunteer work, and gardening club. Brei says, “The Club offers us advice and keeps me out of trouble”. Brei’s future goal is to go to college to become a doctor and someday deliver babies Memorial Hospital.

· Rick Rice, Teachers Credit Union: Soon to be retiring as President and CEO of Teachers Credit Union, Rick knows all about hard work. Under his leadership, TCU became the largest credit union in Indiana and the 51st largest in the nation. Setting goals and achieving them is one of Rick’s greatest skills, and something he can pass on to members of the Club.

o Rick is mentoring Curtis Anderson, a student at Dickinson Intermediate Fine Arts Academy. A precocious young man, Curtis has been an engaging partner to Rick Rice. Curtis enjoys math, science and social studies. He’s a longtime member of the Boys & Girls Club; over seven years! While at the Club he likes to finish his homework, participate in choir, and just hang out with friends. When asked why he likes coming to the Club Curtis remarks “It’s a positive place and I like it here”. His future goals include attending college and becoming a lawyer.

· Manette Tepe, Holladay Properties: Manette is a dynamic powerhouse. Serving on several community boards, her job as Senior Vice President for Development creates the infrastructure upon which our community builds its wealth. Manette’s poise and commitment to family will easily be shared with her Youth of the Year candidate.

o Manette is mentoring Chloe Teall, a student at Kennedy Primary Academy. Chloe is the youngest of all the Youth of the Year candidates but don’t let her age deceive you, this spunky 4th grader at Kennedy Primary Academy is an active and determined young lady. Chloe has already decided that she wants to go to the University of Notre Dame and then continue on to University of Arkansas for a degree in Marine Biology. While Chloe has many goals for the future, she enjoys her time as a kid at the Club. A member since kindergarten, Chloe likes coming to the Club because, “It’s a fun place where I feel safe and have lots of friends”.

· Perry Watson, III, Lexus of Mishawaka: As owner of a local dealership, Perry knows the value of a dollar. He believes in giving our youth financial education now so they can be responsible adults later. He is a strong advocate for educating and mentoring young people. He has served as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club of America, Jack and Jill America and the Urban League of South Bend and St. Joseph County, for which he wrote and taught a youth workshop. His Youth of the Year Candidate will benefit from Perry’s strong moral character and commitment to youth in our community.

o Perry is mentoring Marquis Taylor, a student at Clay High School. While Marquis may seem like the strong, silent type he is a young man with a big heart and big goals. Marquis is a freshman at Clay High School and has been a Club member for one year. However, in a short time Marquis has jumped in to become a very active member. He’s involved with the volleyball and basketball teams, a mentor to 8th graders and a volunteer in the concession stand for Club fundraisers. Marquis calls the Club “his other family.” With Perry Watson III as his mentor Marquis has enjoyed exploring his role as a leader at the Club and his future as a young man.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the April 15 event at 6:00 pm at Gillespie Conference Center. Please contact Ashley Farrell at (574) 259-5666 or afarrell@fccin.org for information.

###

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs, an affiliate of Family & Children’s Center or to schedule an interview with a Youth of the Year or a Great Big Kid candidate, contact Jory Fitzgerald Kelly at (574) 259-5666, ext. 306, or via email at jfitzgerald@fccin.org.

Some Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County programs are funded, in part, by United Way of St. Joseph County.

Who’s the Greatest Big Kid in Town?

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jory Fitzgerald Kelly, Director of Development

Business: 574.259.5666 x 306

Mobile: 574.876.1068

E-Mail: jfitzgerald@fccin.org

Who’s the Greatest Big Kid in Town?

Boys & Girls Club team with adult mentors through Youth of the Year process

This year the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County are pairing these exceptional teens with adult mentors or GREAT BIG KIDS who will share in the Youth of the Year journey. Created as a way to foster positive relationships between adults and teens and create advocates for the Club, GREAT BIG KIDS is an opportunity we are truly excited about.

Great Big Kid candidates will begin fundraising on February 25th, using personal webpages and other social media applications such as twitter and Facebook. Their pages can be found at GreatBigKid.org.

Great Big Kid candidates:

· Tricia Sloma, WNDU: Watching Tricia on WNDU morning news is more effective than a cup of coffee; her enthusiasm is infectious. One-on-one she is as sweet as she is bright. With two children of her own, Tricia knows the struggles any family shares in raising kids and how important the Club can be to the life of a child. As a board member for the Public Education Foundation she knows that schools can only provide so much, and that afterschool programs enhance what is taught during the day. Tricia’s quick wit and power in front of a crowd or camera will lead our youth to create a strong public face.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the April 15 event at 6:00 pm at Gillespie Conference Center. Please contact Ashley Farrell at (574) 259-5666 or afarrell@fccin.org for information.

###

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs, an affiliate of Family & Children’s Center or to schedule an interview with a Great Big Kid, contact Jory Fitzgerald Kelly at (574) 259-5666, ext. 306, or via email at jfitzgerald@fccin.org.

Some Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County programs are funded, in part, by United Way of St. Joseph County.

The power of picking up a good book in Michiana

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

GRANGER —
In the age of I-Pods, laptops and 3-D television, it's rare to see kids who have a passion for reading.When is the last time you sat down with a good novel?

Girl Scout Troop 220 welcomed local celebrities Muffet McGraw and Joe Kernan out to Prairie Vista Elementary School for some good old-fashioned story time.

Tonight’s family reading event focused on teaching kids the power of picking up a good book.

"My favorite book is princesses," said her 6-year-old Kennedy Chester."It was about a dragon named Ignis," her twin sister Marin Chester said.From fiction to fairy tales, it's always happily ever after for the Chester twins.

Family reading night at Prairie Vista was a chance for Marin to share her love of reading with mom.

“I started teaching them their little alphabets and how to read cat and all of a sudden they took off," said Kristal Chester.

And these young book worms can't get enough.

They anxiously wait for library day every week.

“If you can't read, you can’t learn," said former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan.

And that was the most important lesson of the evening.“

George Washington didn't go to college but he became our first president because he was a veracious reader,” Kernan said.

“He read everything he could get his hands on."

We've seen the Harry Potter phase roll through and the Twilight fanatics are still around.

But picking up a good old book is usually not on a daily "to do" list.

And that's why the Girl Scouts of Prairie Vista thought this lifelong skill needed some attention.

“It's the greatest gift I got from my parents and my teachers, was learning how to read," Kernan said.

And for the Chester twins, the adventure of learning how to read is just beginning.

“The librarian showed me some choices," Marin said. "I looked around and finally found my book."

The volunteer group Emerge teamed up with the Boys and Girls club of St. Joe County to help out tonight. Their main goal is to try and improve literacy rates in northern Indiana. If you’d like to volunteer in the Literacy Room you can click here.

Mishawaka youngster filled with Christmas spirit

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Article published Dec 23, 2010
Mishawaka youngster filled with Christmas spirit

Justin Sergio, 10, donated his $50 gift card to the Boys and Girls Club. Tribune Photo/SANTIAGO FLORES

By ERICA MORRISON Tribune Staff Writer
MISHAWAKA — While most children are on their best behavior these days, hoping Santa will bring them everything they wish for, 11-year-old Justin Sergio is wrapped up in the spirit of giving.

Justin, a fifth-grader at Battell Elementary School, received one of his Christmas gifts early and decided to re-gift.

He gave his $50 gift card to the Boys & Girls Club at Liberty Elementary School after he heard the club was in jeopardy of closing next school year because of a lack of funding.

"I decided to send money to the club for support," he said.

Justin has been attending the club since he was in kindergarten.

"I care about Club," he said bashfully, "and I want it to stay open."

Justin's mother, Nicole Voorde, said she tries to teach her children the importance of giving, and says she was very proud of her son's decision.

When she asked him why he wanted to give his gift card to the club, he said, "Because Miss Tammy (club instructor) needs it more than I do."

"That made me cry," Voorde said.

Tammy Slaven, director of Mishawaka operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs and director of the Battell club, said Justin's donation "took me very much by surprise."

Slaven was describing her duties to the students one day when Liberty's financial woes came up in conversation.

She said Boys & Girls Clubs often encourage the kids to "pay it forward." After Justin's gesture, other students started giving in other ways.

An e-mail from the Boys & Girls Clubs about Justin's donation prompted Dynamic Mechanical Services in Mishawaka to donate $100 to the Liberty club and to replace Justin's gift card.

"We've always supported the Boys & Girls Club," Deb McCallister, accounting manager at Dynamic, said. "It's one of the charities that we hold close to the heart."

After receiving the new gift card, Voorde said, Justin offered to donate that one, too.

"He asked me three times, ‘Should I buy things for Club?' " Voorde said.

But Slaven insisted that Justin keep the gift card for himself.

Justin attends the Battell club year-round, playing with friends, doing homework, and working on arts and craft projects after school. In the summer, the kids take field trips.

But what Justin enjoys most, he said, is playing for their flag football team.

"Club's a place where kids can play and have fun, and make new friends," Justin said.

Without the club, the aspiring video game designer admits, "I would go outside sometimes, but I would play video games."

Since funds at the club have become a little tight, Justin said, he has noticed some changes, such as no summer barbecue and fewer prizes.

He hopes that others will donate to the $70,000 needed by the Liberty club to remain open next year.

Staff writer Erica Morrison:
emorrison@sbtinfo.com
574-247-7756

Santa stops by the Notre Dame Bookstore

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Santa and staff at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore help to spread holiday cheer on Saturday.

Store workers sang carols, read stories, and helped the kids make holiday crafts along with supplying plenty of cookies and cake.

The event benefited the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County, people could drop of new or gently used books for the club and receive a coupon for 10 percent off a new book in the store.

University of Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins even made an appearance, stopping by to read to the kids.
“A lot of things the community doesn't really get to see from an environment here throughout the year in the store with the students here and this is our chance to give them the run of the building and bring in their whole families and see what it is we have to offer for them,” says Keith Kirkpatrick, Director of Operation for the bookstore.

This is the 11th year for the event.

Boys and Girls Club receives gift to the sound of a great tune

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Boys and Girls Club receives gift to the sound of a great tune.

It's not every day you get something for nothing at a pawn shop, but it happened for officials with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County on Monday.

The group was the chosen recipient of the National Pawnbrokers Association’s second annual Musical Instrument Gift Day.

“We're giving these four gifts here, two electrical guitars and two acoustic guitars, with amplifiers,” said Tom Howard of Worldwide Jewelry and Pawn.

“At the Boys and Girls Club we utilize our arts program to give kids an opportunity to express themselves, individually so the instruments donated today by worldwide will allow us to achieve that mission with those kids,” said John Morgan of the Boys and Girls Club.

Monday’s gift to the St. Joseph County Boys and Girls club was valued at $1,500.

Posted: 4:52 PM Dec 6, 2010

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/Boys_and_Girls_Club_receives_gift_of_music_from_local_pawn_shop_111405684.html
Reporter: Sarah Rodts
Email Address: sarah.rodts@wndu.com

Fall 2010 Newsletter

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Click here to download a pdf.

A Tremendous Impact on Student Success

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jory Fitzgerald Kelly, Director of Development

Business: 574.259.5666 x 306

Mobile: 574.876.1068

E-Mail: jfitzgerald@fccin.org

A Tremendous Impact on Student Success

Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County cited as key in improving student test scores

October 2010, South Bend – A recent independent evaluation of eight of the local Boys & Girls Clubs branches by the Indiana Youth Institute cited the Clubs as playing a significant role in increasing student test scores.

The following information, based on data from the elementary level Club sites at Battell, Perley, Harrison, and Wilson, which are also 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC), was presented in the report:

· Each site improved from 2009 to 2010. Highlights include:

o Club members at Battell: ISTEP pass rates increased 10% in Math from 2009 to 2010 and exceeded state pass rates.

o Club members at Harrison: ISTEP pass rates increased in ELA by 20% and 14% in Math from 2009 to 2010.

o Club members at Perley: ISTEP pass rates increased in ELA by 22% and by 30% in Math from 2009 to 2010.

o Club members at Wilson: ISTEP pass rates increased in ELA by 8% and by 23% in Math from 2009 to 2010.

· The evaluator attributed much of the Boys & Girls Club member success to the strong relationships Club staff has built with school personnel and parents/families. These working relationships have proven to significantly impact our kids. We are also offering Parenting Groups, Employment Education, and Technology Education classes to assist our Club parents.

· The attitudes and perceptions of Club parents have changed over the past two years. In the past, most parents have viewed the Club as a childcare facility, and now they see the club as a place that benefits their child academically. 95% of parents reported being extremely satisfied with Club activities and Club staff.

· Club kids showed gains in school day attendance, grades, and ISTEP scores.

· The most dramatic impact on grades continues to be among those students who are failing or nearly failing. In 2009 – 2010, just as in 2008 – 2009, many of those students who had F or D grades in either Mathematics or English/Language Arts at the beginning of the school year improved dramatically by the close of the second semester. Last year, these students improved their English/Language Arts in-class performance by an average of 1.39 grade levels; this year, comparable students improved by an average of 1.26 by spring 2010. Last year, students improved their in-class Mathematics performance by an average of 1.25 grade levels; this year by an average of 1.5.

"The 21st Century program has helped us reinvent the culture of learning at the Club's elementary school sites," explained John Morgan, Executive Director of the Clubs. “This recent evaluation is a very strong endorsement of what we've been able to accomplish over the past several years as a result of partnering with both the South Bend and Mishawaka school corporations."

On average, across all school based sites, kids who attended the Club for 30 days or more averaged a higher passing percentage (in ELA, Math, and Science) than kids who did not attend Club, or those who attended less than 30 days.

*30 days or more is the standard used by the State and Federal government.

###

Hope Ministries presents awards

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Article published Sep 15, 2010, South Bend Tribune
Hope Ministries presents awards

SOUTH BEND -- Hope Ministries last week presented its Spirit of Hope awards at the 57th annual Community Luncheon at Palais Royale.

The awards went to the South Bend Community School Corp. Student Services, the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County and Crooked Creek Camp Horseback Riding Ministries.

Naomi Adams of South Bend Community School Corp. Student Services received a Spirit of Hope award from Andrea Chick, a parent at Hope's Family Life Center. The school corporation offered free parenting class for nine families with school-age children at Hope Ministries.

The 10-week classes included a stipend, free on-site child care, the convenience of classes being held at the Family Life Center, a free dinner, an instructional book and a graduation ceremony.

John Morgan of Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County accepted the award from Ellen Shore and her daughter, Emily, one of the nearly 2,000 children served by the club each year.The Boys and Girls Clubs provide scholarships for school-age kids at Hope Ministries to attend their summer program at no cost to their parents. This summer, 13 children from Hope's Family Life Center had the opportunity to build friendships, play, learn and grow in a safe and active environment. One evening per week, the Boys & Girls Club also opens up its gym for adult residents from Hope to enjoy basketball and volleyball.

Crooked Creek Ranch Horseback Riding Ministries' Cindy Sandine received the Spirit of Hope award from Sicerie Brooks and her son Julio Lopez.

Sandine has been using her 20-acre ranch in Wakarusa as a way to help children, teens and adults who are at-risk or low income. Groups from more than 10 different local agencies are given the opportunity to ride a horse for the first time, pet farm animals, play in a creek, enjoy a picnic or go for a tractor ride.

Community Foundation’s 2011 Leighton Award For Nonprofit Excellence

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Family & Children’s Center Wins the Community Foundation’s 2011 Leighton Award For Nonprofit Excellence

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has named the Family & Children’s Center, under the leadership of Bruce Greenberg, the winner of its 2011 Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence.

Founded as an orphanage in 1882, the Family & Children’s Center has served the St. Joseph County community continuously for 128 years. This highly complex organization consists of the Boys & Girls Clubs, The Children’s Campus, FCC Counseling and Development Services, and Prevent Child Abuse St. Joseph County. Together these organizations address many of the most pressing and difficult social problems of our times, including teen pregnancy, mental illness, family dysfunction, child abuse, and the persistent achievement gap between children from low-income families and their more affluent peers.

During his five years of leadership, President Bruce Greenberg has visibly streamlined the organization, improved its operating efficiency, upgraded its use of technology, established challenging standards for performance and outcomes, and has pushed FCC to grow to meet needs that have skyrocketed during what is referred to as the Great Recession. The Children’s Campus and FCC Counseling and Development Services have earned and consistently maintain the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, the nation’s leading health care standards-setting and accrediting organization, for demonstrating high standards for safety and quality of care, and nearly 3,000 local students participate in Boys & Girls Club programming.

As this year’s Leighton Award winner, the Family & Children’s Center receives a $100,000 endowment challenge grant and must raise $100,000 in matching funds. The resulting $200,000 will be used to create or add to a fund in the Community Foundation for the Center’s benefit. The Family & Children’s Center receives an additional $10,000 to help cover the costs of any fundraising and communications associated with the match.

Also, the Foundation named two Special Recognition winners, each of which will receive an award of $10,000. Special Recognition awards are intended to encourage organizations that are pursuing higher degrees of excellence, recognizing inspiring examples of service and performance. The Community Foundation’s first 2011 Special Recognition award goes to St. Margaret’s House, under the leadership of Kathy Schneider, for having created a unique community of women helping women over the past 20 years. In 2009, over 1800 different women and children benefitted from some form of assistance from St. Margaret’s House, addressing needs such as permanent housing, literacy, job training, employment, mental health services, and health care. Its second Special Recognition award goes to WNIT-TV Public Television, under the leadership of Mary Pruess, in recognition of the impressive vision reflected in the creation of the new WNIT Center for Public Media.

Established by Judd and Mary Lou Leighton and the Leighton-Oare Foundation in 1999, the Leighton Award encourages all of the community’s nonprofit organizations to pursue excellence at every level of their operations. Previous winners of this annual award include LOGAN (2000); Center for the Homeless (2001); South Bend Heritage Foundation (2002); REAL Services (2003); St. Joseph Health Center at Chapin Street (2004); Goodwill Industries of Michiana (2005); Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. (2006); South Bend Civic Theatre (2007), the YWCA of St. Joseph County (2008), the St. Joseph County Public Library (2009), and the Women’s Care Center (2010).

2009 Report to the Community

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County is an affiliate of Family & Children's Center. The Report to the Community for 2009 contains stories of change and transformation that our clients went through.

Download a copy of the 2009 Report to the Community