The Roseland-Pullman Community Welcomes New Boys and Girls Club
by Our children need to grow up in an environment where their minds, bodies and spirits are all properly nurtured. That’s where the Boys and Girls Clubs come in. Recently, a new Club was opened in the Roseland-Pullman neighborhood on Chicago’s southeast side.
Our children and youth need to grow up in an environment where their minds, bodies, and spirits are all properly nurtured. Yet, these important elements are sadly lacking in today’s world. This is especially true in poverty-stricken areas, where both parents must work in order to make ends meet. Many young people are at risk because they don’t have the appropriate environment in which to thrive and develop into productive adults.
That’s where the Boys and Girls Clubs come in. In addition to sponsoring a wide variety of recreational activities, these clubs offer children a great learning experience. Staff members set good behavioral examples, giving our youth positive role models to emulate.
Recently, a new Boys and Girls Club was established in the Roseland-Pullman community, located on Chicago’s southeast side. According to Senator James T. Meeks, the club was sorely needed by the youth in this area, to curtail the extreme presence of gang violence there. Senator Meeks, the Senior Pastor of Chicago’s Salem Baptist Church, suggested the idea of a club in this neighborhood to an area corporate member about a year ago. After much finagling, officials were finally able to raise the necessary funds.
Mr. James Keane, CEO and President of the Chicago Chapter Boys and Girls Clubs, said the annual club operating budget was about $200,000. However, Pastor Meeks has stepped up to the challenge of this responsibility by donating church funds to the Roseland-Pullman club. The generosity of Salem Baptist has alleviated the neighborhood’s burden of trying to raise money for club upgrades. All the club has to do is ensure enough funds are available to hire staff and sponsor programs. Additionally, Meeks is allowing the children full access to the church’s gym and game room.
The new club which operates after school hours and also during the summer, services youth ranging from ages 6 to 18. Many children who are left alone when both parents work, get into all kinds of trouble. Due to the lack of parental supervision, they either become victims or perpetrators of violent crimes. These young people are seeking to compensate for their parent’s absence by experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and joining gangs. They are lost and crying out for help.
Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe environment for these children by not only offering positive role models, but also giving them an outlet to express themselves through after-school programs and summer camps. Because the children are taught new skills and behavior patterns, ultimately they learn how to love each other, and themselves.
Among the many programs offered are vocabulary and spelling lessons, arts and crafts and etiquette, as well as recreational activities such as basketball, dance, and video games. The club expects to acquire a computer lab in the future to further meet the needs of the youth.
Children were recruited from schools and churches to become Roseland-Pullman club members. The initial 100 member count is expected to double in the near future. A ten year old, 5th grader, Davon Denson said he always has fun because ‘he always has lots of games to play’. Denzel Talison, who is 13, has experienced excitement and good times at the club, as well. Said Denzel, “Not only do we have fun, but we are taught respect.” Another youth, David Rojas, put it this way, “If it wasn’t for the club, I wouldn’t be here.” In a speech delivered earlier this year, another youth, David Rojas, expressed his affection for the organization this way, “If it wasn’t for the club, I wouldn’t be here.” Rojas’ comments were made after he won the Chicago Club’s Youth of the Year Competition.
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