IN THIS ISSUEErica Robbins: My Club Experience

Community Spotlight

Club News

Erica Robbins

2015 Youth of the Year

www.petenancebgc.org

Winter 2016

President’s LetterDr. Mardel Kolls

With our 5-year anniversary just around the corner,

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club (PNC)

continues to serve the needs of Greene County

youth through vibrant and engaging afterschool and summer programs. Since opening our doors in June of 2011, we have continued to expand our footprint in the community. Recognizing the need to provide age-appropriate activities, then building specific programs and space to address those needs, have been the key ingredients to our continued success in reaching our Greene County youth that need us most. In 2013, we were awarded a 5-year grant (PEAK) that allowed us to expand our afterschool programs thus reaching additional middle and high students by utilizing their own school facilities in addition to our Club location at GES. What makes our afterschool model so powerful is what we call the “school multiplier effect.” If each member affected the behavior of one school mate, our impact would be doubled. These programs can change the culture within the school. We are a Club-in-School model in that we work with the staff and students in our partner schools to support better learning outcomes that keep our students on-track for graduation, and focused on their future success. Together, these afterschool programs offer academic support and enrichment to 400 youth daily throughout the school year.

In spring 2016, we will graduate our twenty-third senior Teen Club member. Since opening the PNC Teen center in 2013, 100% of our Club seniors, each year have graduated on-

time, thus contributing to a 22% increase in the graduation rate at Greene County High School reported in 2015. Many of those teens had attended the Club since it opened in 2011. But more importantly, our teens graduated with more self-confidence, a vision of what could be, what it would take to accomplish their dreams, and a plan for their future success. In 2015 we put our character education programs into action by reaching out to our local community partners to engage our PNC youth in service projects. We are grateful to our local churches, community organizations, and business partners for their resources and support in providing 30 service learning opportunities for our PNC kids and teens.

Another key ingredient in our program is the dedicated volunteers, staff and teachers who work with PNC kids of all ages each day. Whether it is homework help, reading and literacy, Think through Math, First Tee golf, Music, Art, Character Education, Scouts, Leadership Training, or serving spaghetti dinner to 180 kids, over 100 children are touched each day enriching their lives and experiences. In 2015 alone, approximately 257 volunteers and 23 board members donated over 6,000 hours of service to PNC kids and the Club. Although these volunteers represent an in-kind donation of $54,549, the impact they have and their satisfaction of making a difference is priceless. I thank you all for the support and look forward to working with you in 2016 “Making a Difference Together”. s

Mardel Kolls, Board PresidentPete Nance Boys & Girls Club

Table of Contents

2 Erica Robbins: My Club Experience

4 Community Spotlight

5 Club News Dr. Kolls and Club kids make treats for the PNC Halloween party.

My name is Erica Robbins, I am presently a junior at Greene County High School and I have been affiliated with the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club (PNC) for the past five years. The Club has made a tremendous impact on my life.

When my mom and dad separated I felt as though my life was quickly falling apart. I needed an outlet to express myself. PNC has afforded me the opportunity to have a place I can call a home away from home. My experience with the Club has groomed me to be the young lady I am today.

When I was in the sixth grade I joined PNC in Greensboro, GA; not knowing my life was about to change forever. Upon joining the club I really had some anger issues that I could not control. My emotions were all over the place. I really did not have any self-control. I had so much anger built-up within me and no one to vent to because my parents were having issues of their own. I wanted to release my feeling to my mother, but watching her go through her own struggles, I kept all my feeling inside. I made many friends at the Club, but none of them knew the true me. I decided to just cut loose and have fun while I was at there. The games and interaction made me forget about my own struggles for a while. Being at the Club helped me to stop focusing on myself so much, and I started getting involved with helping others. I learned that helping others and talking them through their battles really helped me with my own and it was self-fulfilling. The Club has taught me the value of life and how to move forward even through the toughest issues.

As I continued to build relationships with my friends at the Club it carried over into my personal life. I noticed that my respect level has changed for the better and to everyone in

my life; my parents, brother, relatives, friends, and teachers. I found myself less angry about small things and begin to dream about what I want my future to be. The teen staff saw leadership ability in me, something I never knew I had. At PNC, I have been placed on the leadership team and I love every minute of it.

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club has taught me how to be strong through life trials and tribulations. I know there are going to be stumbling blocks along the way, but I have to maintain my cool, stick with my plan, and move forward. s

Erica Robbins2015 Youth of the Year

My Club Experience

2

President’s LetterDr. Mardel Kolls

Meet Kalab, a Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club kid with a big heart. Last year, Kaleb was placed in foster care after being removed from his home. During that time, he made the Club his second home and received the warm welcome all kids receive despite their challenges and personal circumstances. The Club not only allowed for a safe and private place for his social worker to meet with him on a weekly basis, but it also served as a place of hope and promise in which Kaleb and his mom were able to reunite on several occasions. Read the rest of Kaleb’s story at www.PeteNancebgc.org s

Kaleb’s Story

Mike Conrads, Boys & Girls Club North Central Georgia (BGCNCG) Board Chairman, shares the importance of “Carpe Deim” (seize the day) with Erica during the 2015 BGCNCG Awards Dinner.

The Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club (PNC) is growing and

developing into an even greater force of

hope and promise as we strive to provide a safe space

and productive environment for our city’s youth. Over 85% of our members are from single parent homes, 10% of our members are currently in the foster care system, and we serve many youth from disadvantage circumstances. That’s why we’re here! The Club offers an afterschool program where we serve members ages 6 – 18 and provide opportunity for up to 160 members a day. The Club also offers an enriched summer program where we target academic summer learning loss and facilitate over 18 character educational programs that allow youth to combat daily challenges and reach their academic and personal goals. We are aware that this level of ambition comes with a great deal of responsibility for our Club. As we climb to even greater heights, it is our obligation to ensure that every member, every day, who enters our doors is given a life-long learning opportunity of hope and human possibilities by teaching them the skills they’ll need

to become outstanding citizens who’ll one day contribute to the future growth of Greene County.

Why is attending the Club so important, you may ask? Well, it is a known fact that uncoachable kids become unemployable adults, which is why it is important for our members to attend the Club at least three times a week or more. The routines that youth develop now will carry into their adulthood and workforce. At the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, over 80% of our members attend the Club at least 3 times a week. National statistics show that if our members attend the Club at least three times a week, the likelihood of graduation will increase to over 90%. This is our ultimate goal!

In closing, I would like to say that it is an honor for me to lead our staff at the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club and to have strong community support. We have dedicated professionals who share their passion and experience with our members. Everyday, I’m proud of our community for being on the forefront of changing the lives of young people who will one day be leaders in our community. You are a part of making a difference.

Thank you for your continued support. s

3

Volunteer of the Year:Howard McKinleyCongratulations to Howard McKinley for being selected as the 2015 Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club Volunteer of the Year. Howard’s passion and commitment to the club is inspiring. He has been instrumental in fundraising and communications and has a true passion for the children of the club. Howard, we applaud you and appreciate your willingness to serve the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club. s

Pictured left to right: Michael McKinley, Dorothy Ann McKinley, Howard McKinley, Dr. Barbara Pulliam Davis, and Dr. Mardel Kolls

Director UpdateBob Mackey, Senior Club Director

4

Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church: The Giving TreeChildren from The Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club felt the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season. Through the local Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church, a Giving Tree was initiated for local Boys & Girls Club members. Members of the Catholic Church gladly took a card from the tree and supplied Christmas gifts for families who would have none otherwise. In addition to the children’s small wish list, the Knights of Columbus of Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church supplied winter coats to those kids in need. These angels wrapped the gifts and placed them under The Giving Tree for delivery to children of the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club. s

Lake Oconee Area Builders’ Association: DonationJulie Wade, Charitable Contributions Chairman of the Lake Oconee Area Builders’ Association, surprised PNC Club Director, Bob Mackey with a generous donation of $500. s

The Home Depot: Winter Wonderland December 9, 2015 is a day Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club (PNC) members will remember as the day Santa came to town and transformed the Club into a Winter Wonderland. Well, maybe Santa wasn’t solely responsible. He leaned on his friends from The Home Depot, located in Greensboro, GA for a little help.

The Home Depot Kid’s Workshop associate volunteers provided supplies to make the event possible. They brought two truckloads full of decorations from the store to literally transform the classrooms into a festive Wonderland. Together with PNC volunteers, Mark Bushway and his team of The Home Depot, Greensboro spent the afternoon spreading Christmas cheer to PNC members during various “workshop” activities ranging from face painting and wood working to ornament making and story time with the jolly old soul himself, Santa. Mrs. Clause treated the children to milk and cookies as well. s

Community SpotlightDirector Update

Bob Mackey, Senior Club Director

PNC staff member, Vera Hall and a PNC club kid participate in woodworking activities courtesy of The Home Depot

Julie Wade (LOABA), Bob Mackey (PNC), and Club kids

Club parent welcomes Giving Tree gifts delivered to PNC

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Kid’s CornerWow! What a difference! The closing out of 2015 brought the Pete Nance Club many incredible opportunities and some awesome new territory. We were able to partner with at least 10 organizations. The K-Nine Angels brought more furry & larger friends (pets) to the Club, The Elks Lodge allowed the Club to be featured in their annual Hoop Shoot competition. 53 Club kids attended the Novelis Family Fire and Safety Day at PNC along with representatives from the Greensboro 911 Operation Center and Greene County Fire department who volunteer their time to teach about fire safety. s

Tween CenterThe Tween Center also known as “The Loft” opened in 2015 due to the increasing number of tweens and the lack of space within the Club. Since opening, the tweens have launched many life-changing programs and participated in many community service projects such as partnering with the Humane Society to host neighborhood animal drives, planned the first annual haunted house at PNC, and hosted a can food drive for families at Thanksgiving. They also initiated a very meaningful project with the Torch Club, which is a community-focused leadership program that helped raise funds and awareness for Morgan Robertson, a Teen Member who is battling Cancer. The Torch Club and the Keystone Club (leadership programs) planned a dance and surprised Morgan’s family with support. s

Teen CenterSince opening the Teen Center in 2013, we have expanded our enrollment, graduated all Club seniors on-time, sent teens to leadership conference in Orlando, focused on career planning, college visitations, academic support, and soft skill training for job interviews. In 2015, we added a new focus, and began looking for ways to engage our youth in “making a difference” by giving back to the community through service-learning projects. Over the course of the year, our Teens participated in numerous projects with business partners, local churches, and other organizations. Several teens secured employment following a course in interview techniques employer expectations, and professional responsibilities for employees. The Teen Center currently has 45 students actively involved. s

Club News

Teens working on making treats for 200 kids used during the Club’s “Haunted House” event in October 2015

Morgan Robinson Fundraising Event

2015 Novelis Family Fire and Saftey Day

PEAK PointsAfterschool Program Karen Robertson, Program Director

As another successful academic calendar year

comes to a close, we once again take the opportunity to review

the work and accomplishments of the students and staff of the PEAK 21st Century Program. Each academic year provides an opportunity to build on our previous strengths to develop new and challenging programs. Over the past two semesters, we have continued to recruit new students in need of academic support bringing our enrollment numbers from 200 in September to 273 by December 2015.

With the addition of enrichment programming such as Make Music Count, Think Through Math, and our First Tee Golf Program, and Smart Girls courses in leadership and character development, we see the interest of our students being “PEAKed”. This is directly reflected in our attendance numbers that continue to exceed goal numbers at both the elementary and high school sites, and are reporting attendance rates of 90% or more at the middle school. Kids enjoy the PEAK Program and are continuing to come daily. Calendar year 2015 has seen the largest number of students attending the PEAK program since it began in fall 2012 with over 151 students attending the program more than 3 days a week. This grant funded program provides transportation home after school hours which allows many

more students to take advantage of the opportunity for academic support and enrichment activities.

In 2015, PEAK Program acquired the services of a certified chef who leads the culinary arts program at our high school site. This program continues to draw more 9th grade students by offering workforce development interests as they learn about the hospitality and service industry.

In keeping with the “In-school-model,” we also work with the administration at each site to identify diverse paths and resources that align with course standards related to programming that support students’ needs and enhances their likelihood of academic success and on-time graduation.PEAK is making a difference. s

What is PEAK?(Physical Fitness and Excellence in Academics for Kids)

Shortly after opening the Boys & Girls Club in 2011, it became apparent that demand exceeded the space provided in our current location in a wing of the Greensboro Elementary School. In 2012, we applied for a state 21st Century grant, and in 2013 received five years of funding for our afterschool PEAK (Physical Fitness, Excellence, Academics for Kids) program. This grant allowed our program to provide after school academic support, transportation, and enrichment

for an additional 180 students in grades 5-9. Carson Middle School and Greene County High School, provided the additional space and facilities needed for expansion of an “in-school-model” and the “multiplier effect”. The goal for the PEAK program focused primarily on youth at-risk of dropping out and aligned well with the PNC mission as members of PEAK also become members of PNC. Together these programs are serving over 400 students a day. s

PEAK kids participating in the after school culinary enrichment program

Don’t miss it!

April 16, 2016

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge | Reynolds Lake Oconee | Grand Ballroom

6:00 pm Seated Dinner featuring Eddie Byrd and the Good Vibrations Band

Tickets: $130.00 | Cash Bar | RSVP by April 2

To purchase tickets, call Melanie Unchuan at 770-267-8034 or munchuan@bgcncg.org

PO Box 474 • Greensboro, GA 30642 Return Service

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U.S. POSTAGE PAID

GREENEBORO, GAPERMIT NO. 1728904

Our MissionTo enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

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www.petenancebgc.org