Social Innovation - Identifying ways to impact Social Change

Paul J. Casey, CEO

Boys & Girls Club of Garfield

At the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield it is so important to practice what we preach.  As we work with our members on the primary impact areas of Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles and Character & Citizenship , it is so important as the positive adult role models that we work on these things as well.  We are looking to help children reach their full potential as life long learners, that live a healthy lifestyle and who most importantly make a positive contribution on their communities.  But as we provide the daily mentoring for so many children we must do the same to reach our full potential.

So, over the last few days I continued my life long learning as I attended the Social Innovation Summit at United Nations Plaza in NYC, hosted by JP Morgan, Landmark Ventures and the United Nations.  I was so happy to be invited to this tremendous summit.  The Social Innovation Summit was a private, invitation-only forum that explored “What’s Next?” in the world of Social Innovation. Identifying ways among thought leaders to impact social change.  Attendees included top Fortune 500 Corporate Executives, Venture Capitalists, Government Leaders, Foundation Heads and Social Entrepreneurs eager to discuss global and local challenges, analyze innovative approaches for problem-solving, and build partnerships that enable them and their organizations to maximize social impact.

The speakers throughout the two day summit were tremendous and the takeaways were inspiring.   The impact that this kind of information and enthusiasm has on me as a leader and on a Club like the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is outstanding.  It left me with a number of thoughts.  First, as a non-profit organization we must collaborate and partner with other organizations similar to ours and with innovative and socially conscious companies that are looking to give back.  We then need to act as partners who can show the value and resources that we bring to the table for the communities we serve.  I am thrilled that there is no question that we are doing a great job of that.  Our partnerships with other Boys & Girls Clubs and organizations like Vacamas Programs for Youth, the Garfield YMCA, Meadowlands Environmental Center, City of Garfield, Garfield Board of Education, Bergen Arts & Sciences, Synetek Solutions, MIB Mediaworks, the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, ProCamps and many others have proven to help us be much more innovative as we identify additional solutions to serve the children in our Club.

Additionally, as discussed at the Summit, once these innovative ideas, partnerships and solutions are put together we must have the right people on the bus in order to move these initiatives forward.  At the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield we have built a culture of accountability that includes people that have the values of Teamwork, Caring, & Leadership and who have a Commitment to High Quality and Integrity.  So the staff, volunteers and parents of this organization are all of these things and more.  But, most importantly we are helping young people reach their full potential as children with strong Character & Citizenship.  We are also helping these children achieve Academic Success and live Healthy Lifestyles.  As a result we are building the future innovators and leaders to be on the "bus" and who will be employable for companies like Microsoft, Intel, HP, Verizon and others in the future.

Education was a major topic of discussion at the Summit.  We must identify ways to close the achievement gap and move our educational progress forward as a Nation.   As was shared we must do this by personalizing education and ensuring that education is tailored to the learning needs of our children.  One way of doing this is through blended learning initiatives similar to the High Yield Learning Activities that Clubs offer on a daily basis.  As these innovative ideas materialize the thoughts are that Education in the future will be similar to the model that Clubs provide.  Arts, music, and other recreational and extra-curricular activities will work their way back into schools in this kind of setting.  Learning must become more interesting and provide an experience that kids will enjoy.  Also, in 2012, more data was collected than at any time in human history, now we must figure out ways to use it.  Boys & Girls Clubs are effectively doing that with the use of the National Youth Outcomes Initiative.  This data will help us prove that the kids participating in Club activities are achieving at higher levels.

Finally, Social Innovation is being funded at a very high level and multi-stakeholder partnerships are being created to create collaborative innovation.   As a local Boys & Girls Club I wasn't sure what role we could play but one presenter suggested the following "If you think you are too small to be effective you've never been in bed with a mosquito."  So with that I know that the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is on the bus to be a partner to identify innovative ways to meet the largest challenges and accomplish at very high levels for our members and their families.   Also, we have what I believe is the most valuable resource available, children who are willing and interested to learn to be the innovators for the present and future.  Robert Orr, Assistant Secretary General for the United Nations started the 2nd day of the Conference by saying "Think of yourselves as delegates of the world for the world, now lets get to work. "  I invite you to get involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield and lets get to work!  For more information on Club programs or to get involved please visit our website at www.bgcgarfield.org or give us a call at 973-478-7662.  

GREAT FUTURES START HERE

The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield serves over 1500 multi-ethnic children per year.  They seek to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential and have provided opportunity for youth since 1959. They are part of a national network of some 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, which serves more than 4.6 million young people annually, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach.  For more information on Club programs please call (973)-478-7662.