November 2023

During this season of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for our entire Boys & Girls Clubs' family -- from the children and families we serve to our tireless Board and volunteers to our incredible staff and generous supporters that make our work possible. THANK YOU!

CLUBS HAPPENINGS

Quick Club Quote: My son loves the Boys and Girls Club! The homework support he is receiving is helping him improve in school. He loves the recreational activities and has made so many new friends. I honestly don’t know where we would be without it, it has truly been a life saver!” BGC Wayne, Mom

Fall Fun: Tons of fall fun was happening at our Clubs and off-site locations in October, from pumpkin picking and decorating, Halloween parades and celebrations, bake sales, and parties! What a fun time of the year!

Take a Bow: Congratulations and deserving recognition goes to Wayne Unit Director, Dan Dipsey, who was honored at our October National BGCA Conference as the North East Professional of the Year from The Professional Association. A well-deserved award! Dan consistently brings a strong work ethic, positivity, fun, and a smile to the Clubs' kids and staff every day!! Way to go, Dan!

Partners for Good: Where would we be without our generous partners? THANK YOU to the Edward W. & Stella C. Van Houten Memorial Fund, ADP Foundation and Blue Foundry Charitable Foundation for their continued, generous support of our Neighbors in Hardship Scholarship Fund. This Fund allows children of low-income families or those is a crisis situation to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs programs. Continued support is needed to replenish this Fund. For more information on the Neighbors in Hardship Scholarship Fund, please contact Gina Radice at gradice@bgcnwnj.org.

POWER HOUR

making minutes count

Power Hour helps Boys & Girls Club members ages 6-13 achieve academic success by providing homework support, tutoring, and technology-engaged activities as part of our after-school program. Club members complete their school assignments in a positive learning environment under the supervision of qualified staff. By encouraging members to develop a daily habit of completing homework and studying in a dedicated space with adult supervision, Power Hour helps members commit to school and learning.

Incentives are provided to encourage children to complete assignments and for improved grades. Parents are grateful that schoolwork is complete once they pick up their children. BGCNWNJ is committed to doing all we can to support our members' academic success.

ALUM SPOTLIGHT

Recognizing ...

Kayla Martello

We are pleased to recognize Boys & Girls Clubs' Alum Kayla Martello for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions as a Club member, counselor, sports referee, volunteer, and friend. Kayla began with the Boys & Girls Club at age 6 in our Wayne's Club Panther Travel Soccer program. She continued her affiliation with BGCNWNJ in various roles, including as a Keystone member (Leadership Development Club), serving as President during her junior and senior years of high school. She credits this experience for advancing her leadership skills and leading the way to being awarded the 2017 Youth of the Year for BGCNWNJ.

Kayla shared, “The Boys & Girls Club is what allowed me to gain the interpersonal and professional skills needed to become who I am today. My first work experiences, beginning at 14 as a referee and continuing as a counselor and volunteer coach at 16, are where I obtained the most fundamental tools: responsibility, interpersonal communication, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and confidence." Kayla credits, Wayne Club staff Dan Dipsey, Kevin Rebner, and Adrian Polanco, for being valued mentors during her years at the Wayne Club.

Whether as a participant, volunteer, or staff member, Kayla appreciates the importance of the Boys & Girls Clubs experience, stating: 'I am very fortunate to have taken full advantage of what the Club offers and continue to see how it impacts youth positively. It provides a safe environment after school where everyone is welcome, young athletes can gain confidence and have fun at all skill levels, and young adults become contributing members of society through job and volunteer opportunities. BGCNWNJ is a family with the same mission: be kind to all around you, help those who need it most and guide youth to be the best versions of themselves.

Congratulations and best wishes to Kayla as she enters this new phase of her life. As a recent Quinnipiac University Physician's Assistant program graduate, she will begin this new chapter as a hematology and oncology P.A. at the Smilow Cancer Center at St. Francis Hospital in Connecticut. We couldn't be more proud!