February
YOUTH CONNECTIONS

2018
Dear Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods Supporter:
http://givebgc.org/
We have already had a fantastic beginning to 2018 and are so excited to already be in February! This month, we would like to shed a light on two national initiatives; National Black History Month, and Month of the Military Child. As always, Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods aims to serve any and all youth in Humboldt, Del Norte and Siskiyous counties-- regardless of race, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or nationality. Our goal is for the Club to be a symbol of diversity and inclusion, where all members feel safe, welcome and cared for. Our staff is dedicated to providing programs and curriculum that encompass all that it means to be a youth in the world today, like our Youth for Unity program, a program designed to encourage youth of all races to come together to battle oppression and work together . If you would like to take a tour of our Clubs, or learn more about the life changing programs that we offer, please call our Administrative Office at (707) 441-1030. 
Sincerely, Monica Rose, Executive Director


Board of Directors

Anita Beers 
Jason Chaind
Nancy Kay 
Wendy Kerr  
Chris Miller 
Dylan Sacco 
Dr. Keith Snow-Flamer   
Rod Strom
Ryan Sundberg 
Betsy Totten
Mark Wetzel 


President: Phillip Nicklas

In This Issue

Save the Date! 

Soroptimist International 
Girls Career Fair
March 9th,2018

Vines by the Sea
Pierson Park, McKinleyville
April 21st, 2018, 1:00pm-5:00pm

T-Ball Registration
Opens February 1st, 2018

Youth of the Year Reception
Ingomar Club 
April 12th, 2018

Second Chances Art Show
Ink People 
May 5th, 2018



MemorableMoments



DHHS Safe Routes to Schools in McKinleyville

McKinleyville Teen Center Bike Club members have had a special treat, as they team up with Department of Health and Human Services Safe Routes to Schools program to learn how to stay safe on their bikes. Areli Cupp, with DHHS Public Health, showed members how to properly lock up their bikes, as well as the differences in helmets, and why they are so important no matter where you bike. Teens even received new bike locks and helmets! Members are currently planning a bike trip through McKinleyville trails to test our their new gear.

Teen Center Cleans up Downtown

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 15th, not only marked a day of reflection and honor, but, for our Eureka Teen Center members,  a day of community service. Eight teens, accompanied by staff, were able to clean up parts of downtown Eureka, inspiring passerby to join in as well. Their cleanup efforts yielded 6 bags of trash, and a sense of community involvement, that embodied some of Dr. King's philosophies on community; "Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives". 
 

Pitch, Hit, Run, T-Ball Registration Has Begun!

T-Ball registrations are up and running! Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods T-Ball  is a beginning fundamental program for boys and girls ages 5 through 7. Teams are based in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville. Our season begins at the end of March and runs through the end of May and costs $65 per participant. To register your child, visit us online at www.bgcredwoods.org/tball or in person at our Admin Office at 939 Harris Street in Eureka. If you have any other questions, you can call our T-Ball Hotline at  (707) 633-8783.



New Years Eve Extravaganza 

Our Klamath Club had a tremendous turn-out for their first-ever New Years Eve party! Members were able to play games, eat, drink sparkling apple cider, and even engage in a little bit of sumo wrestling. This event was hosted at the Klamath Club site, as well as the Yurok Tribe Community Center, to allow teens to ring in the New Year in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. In all, more than 25 teens were able to enjoy this awesome event. 

Clubhouse Music Camp Performance a Hit!

For the past six months, the Clubhouse has been partnering with Calvary Lutheran Church, to expand our Power Hour program, with funding from Measure Z, as well as providing youth with a no-cost music camp, run by Melissa Gussin, and spear-headed by Suzanne O'Dea of Calvary Lutheran Church. This camp, broken into different sessions throughout the year, focuses on rhythm, musicality, movement, and playing various instruments, that culminates in a performance at Calvary Lutheran Church. The most recent performance, on January 21st, included an acapella rendition of "This Land Is Your Land", and a dance with rhythm instruments. Click here to check out the full performance!


FeaturedProgram


Youth of the Year: Lead, Succeed, Inspire

 
Youth of the Year is a Boys & Girls Club of America program, recognizing members who are examples of what the organization strives for with every youth that walks through the Clubs doors. Teens are judged on a list of criteria including service to the community, academic success, character and life goals, and public speaking ability. Winners of the local award have the option to compete at the State, Regional, and National levels of competition. This year, we had four amazing applicants, that were judged by our Board Members, Anita Beers, Jaison Chand, and Chris Miller, as well as Area Director, Keon Gaither, and Executive Director, Monica Rose. Of this year's applicants, Monica Rose said,  "This was a really tough decision, the candidates this year exemplified strong leadership, community involvement, and good character." Our winner for the 2018 Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods Youth of the Year is Quin Maynor of McKinleyville, who has been an model member of the McKinleyville Teen Center this past year, working his way up to be the lead of the Junior Staff program and running his own programs. Quin will be honored at the Youth of the Year reception in April, and will continue on in the State competition coming this March. Congratulations Quin! 

SupportTheClub


New Year, New Supplies

As we are headed into the new year, we are in need of some new supplies to keep our programs fully stocked! New supplies allows our programs to continue to grow and change to meet the needs of our youth. A new blender can further a passion for the culinary arts; basketballs and soccer balls allow for members to participate in organized team sports; paintbrushes and crayons fuel a budding artist. If you would like to make a donation, you can visit our Amazon Wishlist or contact our Administrative Assistant, Amber Larson, at office@bgcredwoods.org or (707)-441-1030.
GreatStaffGreatKids



Klamath Youth of the Month
Raiy-Ro Ramos

Our Klamath Youth of the Month is Raiy-Ro Ramos, an amazing 6th grader, attending Crescent Elk Middle School.  Raiy-Ro has shown a lot improvement with this behavior and self responsibility this month .  Although he is playing basketball for the school, he still finds time to come to the Club, and participate in a variety of games and activities. Raiy-Ro has grown so much since first starting here.  Way to go Raiy-Ro!  
SupportTheClub


Staff of the Month
Adrian Pichardo, 
Clubhouse Unit Director

Adrian's journey with the Club started in 2014, when he started with an internship at the Eureka Teen Center. Afterwards, he became familiar with the Humboldt local youth & found a job opening at the Eureka Club House site. Since then, he has moved up his way from intern to Program Assistant to Program Director, and is currently the Unit Director of the Club House site. "Every day is a new challenge and enjoyment working at the Club House because when the day kicks off you know at the end of the day these members need your support & carin g every second," Adrian said. Adrian is a single Dad with a two year old son, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & minor in Criminal Justice from Humboldt State University. Adrian grew up in East Los Angeles, and came to Humboldt county to experience the redwoods, beaches, and hiking adventures. Adrian also met his mentor when starting work at the Club, Monica Rose. Of Monica, Adrian said, "She has taught me the good qualities of what it takes to raise a family in my personal life and showed me the ropes of what needs to be done around the Club to be successful as possible.". Every day at work, Adrian strives to be as happy and positive as possible so that the Club members experience positive change in their life as well.




ThankYou

Thank you to our 2017 504 Club Members!

Donna & Ron McQueen
Kathy Madsen
Tony & Shalise Miles
Lynne Sonderberg
Kathleen Bryson
Brian Stephens
John & Jackie McBeth
Debra & Ron McBeth
Ken & Judith Stoffer
McCrea Nissan-Subaru
Nancy Dean
Becky Reece
Owsley Electric
Eureka Chapter #752 Women of Moose   


The 504 Club is an annual giving campaign for the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods. With a donation of $504, you can sponsor a Boys & Girls Club youth for an entire year. That's only $42 per month, or $10 a week. That's less than most people spend on coffee every week. When you invest in the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods through the 504 Club campaign, you are making a commitment to support our youth in our community. We, in turn, are making a commitment to be there for more than 4,000 youth currently participating in our programs and activities. 


Interested in joining our 504 Club? Call our Administrative Office at 
(707) 441-1030!



WhatWeStandFor

Vision  
We envision healthy, empowered and engaged youth who appreciate and respect  themselves, each other, their families, the community and the environment.

 
Mission 
We empower youth to reach their full potential as responsible, caring and productive citizens through professionally led programs and activities that are fun, positive, and relevant in a safe, supportive, and healthy environment. 
 
Visit Us Online At
www.BGCRedwoods.org