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Dear Friends,
Last week, we wrapped up a busy school year, welcoming over 1,300 kids who walked through our doors! Yesterday, summer began with 400 youth engaged in fun and enriching activities at Clubhouse Camp, Camp Simmons, and Teen Camp. We are reminded of the transformative opportunities our kids have enjoyed because of friends and supporters who believe in the power of our mission.
None of our work would be possible without the unwavering support of our community. The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich relies on operating support from individuals like you who recognize our critical role in mentoring and developing the potential of our youth. Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly impact the lives of countless children, providing them with a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow, learn, and thrive.
June 30 marks the end of our fiscal year. Please help us reach our Annual Fund goal and make a lasting impact on the lives of our Club kids. Your donation will help provide a nurturing environment that fosters growth, instills confidence, and empowers children to reach their full potential. DONATE TODAY!
Happy summer, and enjoy this issue of BGCG Connections!
Sincerely,
Cristina Vittoria
Chief Executive Officer
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$353,000 Awarded in College and Vocational Scholarships | |
Some of BGCG's 2023-2024 Scholarship recipients | |
BGCG’s Scholarship Committee recently reviewed applications from 52 Club members, then met with each applicant to learn about the individuals’ dedication to higher education, involvement with the Club, and future aspirations. For the group of high school seniors and college students, good grades, commitment to character development, volunteerism, and community leadership, has led to a combined reward of $353,000 in scholarship funds, made possible through our BGCG Scholarship endowment. | |
BGCG Welcomes New Members to 2023-2024 Board of Directors | |
At the final Board meeting of the year, BGCG Board Chair, Eileen Tang, and our organization welcomed six new members to our Board of Directors. The new Directors are Judy Collins, Gretchen Johnson, Katerina Pergola, Monica Rodriguez, Michael Stellwagen, and Randy Simpson. Welcome to the Board! | |
2023-2024 Board of Directors | |
ZAC Camp Hosts Over 100 Youth
We were thrilled to host ZAC Camp for over 100 youth at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich in April! This is where it all started, back in 2011. We were the first Boys & Girls Club to partner with The ZAC Foundation, and it was on this foundation that this national, award-winning program has been built. We at the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club are very proud of that.
We have held 10 camp seasons here and over 1,000 Greenwich Club ZAC campers! And over 20,000 ZAC campers have participated around the country. In that time, the ZAC Foundation, founded out of a tragedy, became a national leader in water safety.
Finally, we are so proud of our campers who spent a week learning essential safety lessons to remove any previous fears they may have around water. Through our aquatics curriculum, classroom lessons, and interactions with First Responders, our campers had a fun, welcoming, and educational week which helped prepare them for a lifetime of safety around water.
We are so grateful to The ZAC Foundation for their commitment to our Club and this community.
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Awards Night Highlights Outstanding Youth
A buzz of excitement filled the air as family and friends gathered at the Clubhouse for the 55th Annual Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich’s Awards Night. The event honors Club members who excel in their areas of choice.
“Awards Night is my favorite Club event,” said Don Palmer, Vice President of Programs & Youth Development. “It brings together extraordinary Club members, parents, families, and community leaders in celebration of great futures. It is the resounding ‘why’ as to why Boys & Girls Clubs are needed in every community giving kids positive outlets during out-of-school time.”
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Youth Become Reading Champions
At the end of the school year, our Greenwich United Way’s Reading Champions participants and volunteers were recognized for their hard work and dedication. Through the program, youth are paired with a tutor to work one-on-one on fluency and literacy skills throughout the school year. At the ceremony, our young readers were presented with a medal and summer reading book by their tutor.
According to the International Reading Association, research shows that leisure reading enhances students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary development, general knowledge, as well as their self-confidence as readers. “Given the ample evidence showing the benefits of tutor-instructed reading, we’re happy to offer our youth the ability to develop and deepen their love of reading,” said Don Palmer, VP of Programs and Youth Development at BGCG.
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Golf Program is a Hole-in-One
A group of our members had the opportunity to spend their spring Tuesday afternoons at the Stanwich Club being introduced to the fundamentals and rules of golf.
“Our youth looked forward to learning new skills and connecting with the caring professionals at the Club every week," said Otis Bellamy, Director of Athletics & Youth Development at BGCG. “While they began as a group of mixed experience levels, this opportunity helped two groups of kids: one learning basics of the game, and one who were working to sharpen their skills. Both groups were transformed into a cohesive team.”
We are grateful to Michael Summa and the Board of Directors at Stanwich Club for making this partnership possible for our kids.
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Annual Benefit - September 8
Please join us for a lively party to celebrate the work of Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich with dinner, dancing, and friends! Guests will be transported to the allure and mystique of Havana for the night.
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Annual Benefit Launch Party
The glamorous showroom at Serpentine Jewels was bursting with excitement as committee members gathered to celebrate the upcoming Havana Nights event! BGCG and event co-chairs, Lizzie Boswell, Mary Dillow, Susannah Heyworth, and Kathryn Shaw, are extremely grateful for the support of the committee for generously sponsoring the launch party.
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Jada Brewington Named 2023 Youth of the Year
Some of Greenwich’s best and brightest were celebrated during the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich’s Annual Youth of the Year celebration. Jada Brewington, a junior at Greenwich High School and an inspiring writer, was named the Club’s 2023 Youth of the Year. In addition to naming the Youth of the Year winner, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich also honored Taylor Tejada (Grade 8 at Western Middle School) as the 2023 Jr. Youth of the Year; Alex Flook (Greenwich High School junior) as the inaugural David Ogilvy Award for Character, Kindness and Integrity recipient; and 2023 Champions of Youth, Jannell Bakrow and Annette Wilson, with 25+ years each of dedication to BGCG.
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Corporate Volunteer Spotlight | |
Healthy Snack = Healthy Habits
Our thanks to a team of volunteers from PepsiCo who prepared over 750 healthy snacks for our youth. For three afternoons, our youth enjoyed yogurt and fruit parfaits, turkey and cheese pinwheels, and fruit kebabs.
Our after-school program provides a healthy snack to all members each afternoon thanks to a generous funder. Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich knows that increasing kids’ healthy habits will strengthen their ability to make smart choices and form healthy nutrition practices.
If your corporate team would like to participate in this program, please contact Michele Smith, Director of Development.
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Boys & Girls Club
4 Horseneck Ln
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
(203) 869-3224
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