On Friday, March 13, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay will be celebrating its semi-annual Spring Impact Awards competition, where the youth serving organization recognizes unique local programs that have significantly impacted youth as a result of the innovation, creativity, and passion.
The local competition showcases the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay’s top locally developed programs from staff that produce positive outcomes, while highlighting best practices for replication with the potential to earn national recognition.
Here are your top 6 finalists for Spring 2020:
The local competition showcases the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay’s top locally developed programs from staff that produce positive outcomes, while highlighting best practices for replication with the potential to earn national recognition.
Here are your top 6 finalists for Spring 2020:
The ultimate purpose of Fascinating Facilitators is to help middle schoolers gain more responsibility and have a sense of leadership within the Club, by gaining an increase in knowledge and experience in running a gym program, as well as building relationships with younger members.
Two middle schoolers get selected each week through good behavior and going above-and-beyond to be a respectful Club member. The Sports & Gym Coordinator would meet with them to go over ground rules and pick the activity they wanted to plan on Thursday. The middle schoolers would run the program for the 1st and 3rd grade age group, supervised by the Sports & Gym Coordinator.
The middle schoolers got to run their very own gym class that they planned with a partner. There was a great mentorship relationship between our staff and middle schoolers, as well as middle schoolers and the elementary kids.
“Both the value of responsibility and the sense of leadership definitely increased in participating Club members!” –Program Staff
Two middle schoolers get selected each week through good behavior and going above-and-beyond to be a respectful Club member. The Sports & Gym Coordinator would meet with them to go over ground rules and pick the activity they wanted to plan on Thursday. The middle schoolers would run the program for the 1st and 3rd grade age group, supervised by the Sports & Gym Coordinator.
The middle schoolers got to run their very own gym class that they planned with a partner. There was a great mentorship relationship between our staff and middle schoolers, as well as middle schoolers and the elementary kids.
“Both the value of responsibility and the sense of leadership definitely increased in participating Club members!” –Program Staff
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The purpose of the Hmong Clan Club was to increase knowledge of Hmong culture between Club members. They learned about the Hmong language, shamanism, story cloth, traditional dances, Hmong New Year event, instrument, traditional clothing, clans, and its cultural evolution throughout American history.
In an effort to teaching Club members about the importance of diversity and how to speak another language, this Club aims to increase open-mindedness with multiple cultures and cultural appreciation.
“I feel this multicultural club really represents what Boys & Girls Club is all about. It helps student accept others of different backgrounds and gives students confidence/self-esteem by building knowledge of their own culture.” –Program Staff
In an effort to teaching Club members about the importance of diversity and how to speak another language, this Club aims to increase open-mindedness with multiple cultures and cultural appreciation.
“I feel this multicultural club really represents what Boys & Girls Club is all about. It helps student accept others of different backgrounds and gives students confidence/self-esteem by building knowledge of their own culture.” –Program Staff
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The purpose of the Tiny Chefs program is to introduce Club members to culture and lifestyle of other communities and cultures. Local kids had a lot of fun learning and cooking foods from different parts of the world.
Through this program, Club members learned emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity, while working as a big team and in smaller groups to accomplish a common goal. While we allow kids to have their own opinions on food, it was established that we would not bad mouth foods from different places. Instead, we would learn how to accept the foods with open minds and taste buds.
Club members also worked together to help each other rely on the next person. A lot of Club members encouraged and helped one another measure ingredients, find correct tools, and try new foods.
“I was able to recognize our Club members’ bravery and expanding open-mindedness because of their willingness to try new things and learn about other cultures!” –Program Staff
Through this program, Club members learned emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity, while working as a big team and in smaller groups to accomplish a common goal. While we allow kids to have their own opinions on food, it was established that we would not bad mouth foods from different places. Instead, we would learn how to accept the foods with open minds and taste buds.
Club members also worked together to help each other rely on the next person. A lot of Club members encouraged and helped one another measure ingredients, find correct tools, and try new foods.
“I was able to recognize our Club members’ bravery and expanding open-mindedness because of their willingness to try new things and learn about other cultures!” –Program Staff
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The goal of the “Whodunnit?” Program is to ignite curiosity of forensic science skills & careers through lab analyses, field work, and criminal investigation. In addition, Club members will learn about forensic science through experimentation, chromatography, toxicology, fiber analysis, blood types, and observation skills!
Hands-on activities, critical-thinking skills, and science literacy were all incorporated into the program to solve the mystery of who stole the cookies from Ms. Randall’s classroom cookie jar. Club members use the tools of forensic science to analyze clues left at the crime scenes.
The Green Bay Police Department was also invited to visit and speak to the local youth, so that they can learn from the real-world detectives, understand the importance of building positive relationships with local law enforcement, and experience a new opportunity for career choices.
“Club members worked in pairs to gain important forensic skills, such as scientific observation, sample examination, analysis, lab work, testing, interviews, and field work!” –Program Staff
Hands-on activities, critical-thinking skills, and science literacy were all incorporated into the program to solve the mystery of who stole the cookies from Ms. Randall’s classroom cookie jar. Club members use the tools of forensic science to analyze clues left at the crime scenes.
The Green Bay Police Department was also invited to visit and speak to the local youth, so that they can learn from the real-world detectives, understand the importance of building positive relationships with local law enforcement, and experience a new opportunity for career choices.
“Club members worked in pairs to gain important forensic skills, such as scientific observation, sample examination, analysis, lab work, testing, interviews, and field work!” –Program Staff
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The goal of the Fine Arts Program is to increase creativity, expressions, inspiration, and positivity in any creative art form; whether that is through drawing, coloring, or painting. Day-to-day activities include drawing or painting on a canvas and paper about positive topics, current issues, and events that are important to them and our community.
Club members learn basic drawing and painting skills, such as different brush strokes, painting techniques, and how to use color or lack of color in different ways. They also learn how to be aware of themselves, their emotions, and of others; and how to positively self-identify and express themselves. Having a sense of creative freedom gives participating Club members the chance to express themselves through art and how they feel about current topics or themselves.
A large collaborative coloring piece for Black History Month that took over a month to complete, included the combining of 72 different sheets of papers all put together, colored, and organized, and on display during Black History Family Night!
“As the program progressed, I received more and more participants, many of whom wanted to paint or draw even when the Fine Arts program was not running. Their work developed into outstanding pieces, including mountain ranges, environmental awareness pieces, mental awareness art, and two large collages about positivity and Black History Month!" –Program Staff
Club members learn basic drawing and painting skills, such as different brush strokes, painting techniques, and how to use color or lack of color in different ways. They also learn how to be aware of themselves, their emotions, and of others; and how to positively self-identify and express themselves. Having a sense of creative freedom gives participating Club members the chance to express themselves through art and how they feel about current topics or themselves.
A large collaborative coloring piece for Black History Month that took over a month to complete, included the combining of 72 different sheets of papers all put together, colored, and organized, and on display during Black History Family Night!
“As the program progressed, I received more and more participants, many of whom wanted to paint or draw even when the Fine Arts program was not running. Their work developed into outstanding pieces, including mountain ranges, environmental awareness pieces, mental awareness art, and two large collages about positivity and Black History Month!" –Program Staff
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The goal of the First Aid Program is to strengthen Club members’ skills in health and life, character and leadership, education, and possible career development!
In this program, Club members learned what basic first aid is and what to do if they are in need of first aid. Learning these skills will give them a sense of empowerment to be able to handle their own first aid needs or be prepared to help others. These skills will enable participating Club members to remain calm and know what to do in such an instance!
We discuss frequent first aid topics that are most likely to occur on a daily basis and incorporate hands-on activities related to that topic.
Topics discussed are:
Local youth learned the importance of hand washing and how easily germs can spread. They used a germ glo powder that glows under black light, which allows members to see how well they washed their hands. We practiced using cloths to make slings for potential broken bones or sprains of arm and practiced what it would be like to take off “dirty” gloves. With an Educator Pen, Club members also learn what it may be like to give or get an Epi-pen injection for those that have anaphylaxis reactions.
“We’ve already seen, in action, some of the things members have learned during program. After learning how to properly handle a nosebleed, we’ve witnessed other members use the skills and even teach their peers.” –Program Staff
In this program, Club members learned what basic first aid is and what to do if they are in need of first aid. Learning these skills will give them a sense of empowerment to be able to handle their own first aid needs or be prepared to help others. These skills will enable participating Club members to remain calm and know what to do in such an instance!
We discuss frequent first aid topics that are most likely to occur on a daily basis and incorporate hands-on activities related to that topic.
Topics discussed are:
- Germs & Hand washing basics
- Influenza vs. Cold viruses
- What is First Aid
- Gloves, Nosebleeds, and Bleeding
- Cuts & Scrapes; Broken Bones; Burns
- Bug Bites; Allergic Reactions & Anaphylaxis
- Choking & Seizures
- Carbon Monoxide; First Safety; Hypothermia vs Frostbite
Local youth learned the importance of hand washing and how easily germs can spread. They used a germ glo powder that glows under black light, which allows members to see how well they washed their hands. We practiced using cloths to make slings for potential broken bones or sprains of arm and practiced what it would be like to take off “dirty” gloves. With an Educator Pen, Club members also learn what it may be like to give or get an Epi-pen injection for those that have anaphylaxis reactions.
“We’ve already seen, in action, some of the things members have learned during program. After learning how to properly handle a nosebleed, we’ve witnessed other members use the skills and even teach their peers.” –Program Staff
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In addition to the submissions of these 6 finalists, we received many quality program nominations! Thank you to all of our program staff who continue to design impactful programs for our local youth! The winner will be announced the week of March 16, 2020. Stay tuned!
