Club News

Job opportunities for graduating teens abound in the fields known as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).  Boys & Girls Clubs across America aim to engage kids in STEM education, to raise awareness and opportunities, particularly for youth who are underrepresented in these fields. As part of this initiative, during out-of-school time this past summer, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club engaged Club Members in these areas by touring local STEM facilities where they had an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities highlighting these areas of expertise. Club Kids visited Illini Motor Sports, where they learned about race cars, Jumps Labs on University of Illinois campus, which provides students with opportunities for collaborative research and easy access to University labs, equipment and services. Club Kids also visited FlightStar Aviation & The Parkland Aviation Institute, where they learned about the foundation and concepts of planes and jets. Club kids had a phenomenal experience stepping into the world of opportunity that awaits them in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math. Encouraging kids to dream of their future in any of these fields is an essential part of laying the foundation for success in areas where minorities are underrepresented. Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club embraces the belief that every Club kid, given the opportunity, has the ability to think like a scientist, to be an inventor, an airplane pilot, or an engineer. Working to support Club kids in developing the necessary skills to achieve their dreams is fundamental to our Mission.

Local Artists Paint Mural The Boys & Girls of Club of Mississippi Valley had a mural  designed and painted by Boys & Girls of Club of Mississippi Valley members with the help of a local artist for the opening of the Visual and Performing Arts Center, this was finished in Fall of 2015

Boys & Girls Club of Danville Member Attends State of the State Elijah from the Boys & Girls Club of Danville who was the Club’s Youth of the Year candidate from last year and will be again this year, was invited by Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti to be her special guest at today’s Governor’s State of the State address at the Capitol building. He attended with his parents (adoptive parents), to meet with the Lt. Governor for a private meeting, Elijah was also escorted into the gallery to hear the Governor’s speech. After the Governor’s speech he was able to meet with the Lt. Governor & others for the Governor’s private reception. Elijah along with his parents were also able to me with State Rep. Chad Hays and & Senator Bennett. In the summer the Boys & Girls Club of Daniville had the Lt. Governor as their Signature event speaker and Elijah gave his Youth of the Year speech. Elijah along with the Executive Director Rob Gifford spoke to the Lt. Governor afterwards and asked if Elijah might have an opportunity in the future to be considered as a page and she said she would keep him in mind for that and other things. He made a great impression. Executive Director Rob Gifford got the call and the official okay for Elijah to be the Lt. Governor’s guest. Elijah and Rob spent time at the Club briefly talking about the impact of the Teen Reach grant on afterschool organizations especially BGC organizations, not having a State budget in place and that not being included in the Governor’s budget proposal. Rob told Elijah if asked or given an opportunity to discuss it, just naturally talk about how important it has been in helping to shape him into the person he is today. Elijah did get the opportunity to meet with the Governor Rauner along with Lt. Governor Sanquinetti, Representative Chad Hays and Senator Scott Bennett.

What is your Dream Page: https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/program/whats-your-american-dream-the-danville-boys-girls-club-weighs-in    

STEAM at Genesee Today the eight and nine year olds worked with motors, circuits and microscopes to understand how each of them work. First, we used the circuits to create a fan that when the electricity was turned off, the fan then flew a few feet in the air. Robert, age nine, said, “This is one of the coolest things ever!” Michael, age nine, said, “That’s awesome! I want one of these at home!” After we worked with the fan, we used the motors to build a car. After a few struggles, the car was finished and the youth were very excited to see the car moving around the gym. Miguel, Gisele and Naythan were in agreement when they said “Look how fast the car is going! We have to run to catch it!” After all of our building, we then utilized the microscopes. We had pre-made slides with dry pig’s blood, yeast and dried shrimp eggs. We decided to add some leaves to see the different colors under the microscope. The youth were grossed out with the pig’s blood with Jeremiah stating “That’s nasty!” After we got over our initial gross factor, Sherleen was heard stating, “Is that what blood looks like?” The other two samples we looked at “Looked super cool!” according to Leonardo. Overall, these kits were a wonderful experience for our youth and we will absolutely do these again. Having more STEM kits, like these, would be great!

2018 Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale Randy Osburn, Club Execuitve Director ;Terri Bryant, HS Superintendent & Rebound Faculty with Carbondale Mayor and Governor of Illinois