CBT Visits the Al Lenzmeir West Side Boys and Girls Club
CBT shares in the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help young people develop the skills they need to succeed in life by providing programming focused on fostering positive character development and community-centered values. Recently, CBT received a first-hand look at the special work the BGCA does in the Twin Cities community with a site visit to the Al Lenzmeier West Side Boys and Girls Club. The CBT extends a big “Thank You” to the Club’s amazing administrative team and young members for an enlightening and inspiring visit.
The Club
Increasingly, children in the Twin Cities community are left at home with no adult care or supervision. The Al Lenzmeier West Side Boys and Girls Club offers the area’s youth a safe haven to learn, grow and have fun. With more than 80 years of service to the area’s youth, The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities provides activities and support to more than 12,000 young people from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Everyone needs a room of their own. The Club Room gives teen members a place to socialize, get to know each other and share common experiences and issues they face. Individual meetings and group talks build trust and community.Club members learn rules and basic skills for table games like Foosball, Pool and Ping Pong. Daily instruction teaches children how to use game equipment, practice good etiquette and develop sound playing habits.
This young Club member is all smiles as she acts as tour guide for CBT including CBT Minneapolis/Corporate Executive Director Lisa Chernick.Members score big with sports programs as they learn to get fit, reduce stress and participate on teams. The Club proudly displays trophies and awards earned by members for athletic excellence.
Programs
The Al Lenzmeier West Side Boys and Girls Club provides young people in need with a wide variety of tested and proven programs focusing on Character and Leadership, Health and Life Skills, the Arts, Sports and Recreation and Careers and Education.
Whether it’s pizza, spaghetti or s’mores, Club kids don aprons to gain confidence in the kitchen while learning about nutrition, kitchen safety and food handling. Each day, Club members enjoy balanced and nutritious meals as part of its Kids Feeding Kids program.
Superhero or Princess? Anything is possible as the Club’s arts and crafts programs ignite the creative imaginations of young members with projects from all types of media. This budding artist shows off her latest works of art.Kids get access to technology resources to help them expand creativity, perform better in school and prepare for the workplace. Programs include Computer Basics, Skill Tech I & II, Digital Arts Suite, Netsmartz, Claymation, Technical Training and MyClubMyLife.com.
Each month, a teen who excels in Club, home, school and community activities is chosen as the club’s Youth of the Month. Recipients of this honor are recognized with a photo and bio posted at the Club. Teens who earn this recognition at the Club level prepare for participation in the greater Twin Cities competition.
What better way to sow the seeds of the importance of the environment than to grow a garden? The Club designed its own garden to grow produce and teach members about plants and the need to be connected to the environment around them. At harvest time, the produce will be incorporated into Club meals.
