Summer 2013- Value

As we start summer 2013 I first want to wish you well and I hope that you enjoyed your Holiday weekend. The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield's summer program has started off well and we are serving close to 400 kids daily. The summer is such an exciting time, as I walk around the building and speak with our members I am in awe of their excitement, manners, and how happy each of them are.

This is a tribute to so many people that contribute to the great work we are doing here to see the wonderful smiles on the faces of our kids. I am fortunate to hear from our kids about the latest music trends, who their favorite baseball team is, what they did over the weekend and so much more. But, the thing I most enjoy is listening to our young people and staff telling me about what they want to be when they grow up and to hear about their dreams and aspirations. It is amazing to me how clear it is to them that the Club is part of these dreams and they do seem to understand the kind of value that comes with being a member here.

As a friend of the Club I know that you know the value and I thank you so much for the time that you spend in order to help us make sure that Great Futures Start Here. When I think of the word value I often think back to the recent Economic Impact study that was done on the value of the Club and I am reminded that the study found that every dollar invested in Boys & Girls Clubs can generate 15 dollars of positive impact in the community, through improved safety and academic performance for children and teenagers, as well as increased parental income. For example:

• Every $1 spent by the Clubs to provide a safe after-school environment can save $2 annually on costs communities could have incurred for teenage pregnancies and births, underage drinking and expenditures for the criminal justice system.
• For every $1 spent by the Clubs, $1.45 of increased earnings is generated through the increased lifetime earnings of Club members, whose school performance and graduation rates improve through educational assistance.
• Every $1 spent by the Clubs can generate $9 of earnings by parents, who can keep their jobs due to high-quality, low-cost after-school supervision offered by the Clubs. 

The study identified several additional areas where Club participation has significant economic implications: 

Health: More than 60% of registered Club members reported reaching or maintaining a healthy weight by participating in physical activities; and 62.4% of parents report that their children have made better food and drink choices since attending Boys & Girls Clubs.

Parental education: 20.4% of parents whose children attend the Clubs have been able to pursue further education or skills training.

“The economic impact report confirms that the essential investment Boys & Girls Clubs make, on a daily basis, in the future of our young people is really an investment in the future of our state,” said Al Koeppe, Chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. 

This study clearly shows that Boys & Girls Clubs have an impact even beyond the enormous social and educational benefits we have always recognized. The tremendous economic rate of return is a testament to the vital role the Clubs play in shaping the lives and futures of members and their parents, as well as the community.

This economic impact is tremendous and it is great to be able to share outcomes like this with you, but the work of effecting change in a young person’s life is perhaps the most valuable part of the investment we make in children's lives. It is a pursuit that molds and shapes our future. Within the walls of the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, there are more than just children playing ping pong, swimming in the pool, or playing basketball to pass the time between school and dinner. There are opportunities to develop friendships and lasting relationships with positive role models. As for our athletic endeavors, there is more than just a good game and healthy competition; there is a lesson in coordination, teamwork and strategy. In our activities, children engage in more than a fun run at “Guess Who,” line dancing, or triple play; they learn about other cultures and languages. At our Club, kids enroll in more than literacy programs and health and nutrition activities they engage in opportunities to develop good decision-making skills and lessons in character. They develop a moral compass. Within our walls are dreams and aspirations, potential awaiting cultivation. In short, our work is important… priceless even. We ensure the academic success, healthy lifestyles and strong character & citizenship of our children. What could be more valuable?

I invite you to come and join us and get involved to see what we do firsthand. Experience the value of the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield. Thank you so very much for all of your support.