HOW DO WE BULD A BETTER TEENAGER?

That's an age-old query faced by all youth development professionals. United Way of Manatee County partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County (BGCMC) yearly with supportive funding for TEENSupreme - the leadership and character-building approach to adolescent development researched and designed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

What works to promote a sense of well-being, academic achievement and a drive for self-development among teens has to appeal to their unique identity. Teens' lives are a complex mixture of challenges and opportunities. Teens have to develop the skills and tools needed to transition into adulthood. Strong, positive bonding relationships seem to hold the key - positive ties with parents, teachers, peers and Club staff make a material difference.

One of the scariest choices a teen has to make is the path to take toward a definite career choice. Schools even ask for a tentative commitment toward that career path by the end of 8th grade. Yes, some teens knew they want to be a doctor when they were in kindergarten, but the majority have no idea, even in high school.

Through our dedicated teens centers in the Bradenton, DeSoto and Palmetto Boys & Girls Clubs, the school-based Harlee Club and the Club at Southeast High School, our teens prepare for future careers. They learn job skills readiness, Money Matters, search out a world of career possibilities through www.careerlaunch.net, take field trips to colleges and training institutes and explore careers through hands-on job shadowing.

BGCA'S FIVE-POINT PLAN

BGCA(BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA) WILL PROVIDE TRAINING, PROGRAMS, RESOURCES AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, PASS THROUGH FUNDS TO HELP CLUBS:

1) Promote the Importance of High-School Graduation

• Clubs will create a culture in which members, especially those in middle and high school, their families, Club professionals and volunteers, all embrace the importance of high-school graduation.

2) Build School and Parental Partnerships

• Clubs will develop comprehensive partnerships with their local school districts to help enhance academic success.

3) Identify and Retain High Risk Youth

• Clubs will identify and recruit students who are falling behind in school and develop plans for improving their academic status.

4) Develop Supportive Relationships and Implement Comprehensive Programs

• Clubs will train and retrain committed youth development staff to provide long-term continuity, support and informal guidance that is integral to high-school graduation; and implement targeted BGCA programs to address personal, academic, social and family-related obstacles to high school graduation (e.g. Power Hour,k Club Tech, Career Launch)

5) Track and Measure Success

• Clubs will work with their school districts to develop localized strategies for tracking the academic and social progress of Club members.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.BGCOFMANATEE.ORG

IN MEMORY OF A GREAT MAN...TIM RUSSERT

The Boys & Girls Club Movement mourns the loss of legendary broadcast journalist Tim Russert, who died suddenly in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 13. Russert’s connection to our Movement was long, personal and enduring. He was a native of Buffalo, N.Y., where his father, Russ (immortalized in Tim’s best-selling “Big Russ and Me: Father and Son – Lessons of Life”) was a Club kid. The son never forgot what the Club did for his dad. Tim Russert showed his support for our Movement in a variety of ways. He served on the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, D.C., and emceed the Club’s annual dinner – performing a similar duty in 2005 for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Northeast Gala in New York. Russert often mentioned Boys & Girls Clubs as a worthy cause in his television appearances, and during one memorable on-air occasion made a bet with one of his guests. The guest, if he lost, would have to make a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs. Tim Russert was 58. He will be greatly missed.

Elements of Positive Youth Development

The 5 key elements of positive youth development are:



1) A safe , positive envirnoment. At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee, club staff, facilites, program offerings and age-appropriate settings create stability, consistency and a sense of physical and emotional safety for members. The clubs provide structure and clearly defines acceptable behaviors.



2) Fun. Clubs generate fun for members. Members develop a stong sense of belonging through connections they establish with staff and peers. Staff members make the Club feel like home, fostering a family atmosphere and creating a sense of ownership for members.



3) Supportive Relationships. Club youth develop meaningful relationships with peers and adults. Staff members actively cultivate such relationships to ensure that every member feels connected to one or more adults and peers. Staff members demonstrates warmth, caring, appreciation, acceptance and proper guidance in their interactions with members.



4) Opportunities and expectations. Club youth acquire physical, social, technological, artistic and life skills. Clubs encourage members to develop moral character and behave ethically. Staff members establish and reinforce high expectations and help young people do well in school and pursue a post-secondary education.



5) Recognition. Clubs recongnize and affirm young people's self-worth and accomplishments. Staff members encourage youth and provide postive reinforcement as they make improvements and experience successes. The club showcases young people's achievements.