Fulfilling the Mission
The Times May Have Changed…But The Mission Remains The Same
WHAT IS THE CLUB DOING NOW DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS?
Despite this unprecedented and uncertain time, the Club has embraced a new identity while holding true to the core values and beliefs that have proudly guided us since 1956. Times may have changed, but the mission remains the same. We forge ahead to take on the challenges of today so that our kids have the opportunities they deserve tomorrow.
This is not a time for our community's youth to fall behind.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington is proud to provide three core programs as we continue to fulfill the mission:
WONDERING HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Many kids do not know where their next meal will come from. Many parents do not have the resources they need to help their child with homework or provide the tutoring necessary to ensure success in the e-learning environment. Many parents do not have a safe place for their child to go while they continue working as essential personnel during this crisis.
"These are hard times for us all - but in hard times, we have the opportunity to provide hope, support and help to those in need."
Jeff Baldwin
Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
As a community, we must come together to ensure that every child that needs it receives healthy meals, access to virtual and limited in-person programming, and the critical supplies their family may need during this time.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
BGCB | Virtual Club
Launched in March 2020, the BGCB | Virtual Club is an online engagement group via Facebook that is FREE and OPEN to the public! Led by the Club's Program Directors and Staff from all three units, over 250 members have joined the Virtual Club. Three times each weekday, a new video is posted online for Club members and their families to enjoy. Each engagement piece aligns with one of the Club's core programming areas: Healthy Lifestyles, Academic Success, and Good Character & Active Citizenship.
Additionally, the Virtual Club hosts LIVE interactive sessions throughout the week via Zoom! These special interactive sessions provide Virtual Club members opportunities to actually engage with Club Staff. Examples of these engagement pieces include Let's Do Lunch, Minute-To-Win-It Challenges, and Scattergories! The Virtual Club even provides a Virtual Homework Center twice each weekday to provide extra academic assistance for registered Club members who struggle with e-learning.
Finally - understanding the need to also connect with Club Teens, the BGCB Teen Virtual Club was launched to provide a safe and online world for Club Teens to gather together and interact using the same principles highlighted in the Virtual Club! This online service is also FREE and OPEN to the public - not just registered Club Teens!
Community Food & Supply Drive
To address the growing need for food and crucial supplies in the community, the Club launched the Community Food & Supply Drive – a 16-week outreach initiative to provide weekly necessities to Club kids and their families during the crisis. Led by staff at the Ferguson Crestmont Club, 97 unique families representing more than 400 people benefited from this community program in large thanks to community donations.
"I wanted to thank you for the generous supplies and food that was donated. The items were helpful and very appreciated! We don't know what we would do without everything the Club does for us."
Ferguson Crestmont Club Family
Throughout the 16-week outreach initiative, the need for food and general supplies grew so greatly that the Club started serving kids and families that were not Club members. In fact, roughly 20% of families served in the Community Food & Supply Drive were not registered Club members! For more information on this successful initiative, please contact Leslie Abshier, Resource Development Director.
Community Emergency Relief Camp (CERC)
In close consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the City of Bloomington, the Monroe County Health Department, and IU Health – the Club is opening their doors to assist essential healthcare workers by offering the Community Emergency Relief Camp (CERC), which is designed for children to be grouped together in small “youth pods” of eight along with two Club staff members. With local schools closed for the remainder of the school year and the increased demand on our healthcare workers, the Club has developed a framework to provide necessary and safe care for children.
Each CERC operates with five key priorities in place: 1.) Health Screenings of Staff & Participants 2.) Camper & Staff Hygiene 3.) Social Distancing in Programming 4.) Facility Cleaning and 5.) Response to Detection of COVID-19 Symptoms.
For a thorough and comprehensive review of our policies and procedures along with Frequently Asked Questions relating to this support initiative, please visit the CERC website by clicking here.