August Be the Change: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
by Natalie Criscione
The young boy had never ridden a bike. He stood near a tree as the other children raced through the trails like experts. He heard their joy as they rounded corners or caught up with friends. Yet, he remained silent. One of the coaches approached him, and he soon found himself fitted with a beautiful orange bike and matching helmet.* Within a short time, and after some careful coaching, encouragement, and a few wobbles, he felt like he was flying. It was then that Chris Alexander, who was watching with his camera in hand, witnessed an “incredible moment: a giant smile riding around the park—and he’s still going. He hasn’t stopped!”
As the Director of Marketing and PR for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA), Alexander exudes energy, excitement, and hope. “Providing a consistent, safe space for the kids is our priority,” he says.
As he speaks, it is clear that the “safe space” he describes is actually a dynamic and secure stepping-off point, a place from which young people learn to navigate the world, become engaged, develop positive relationships, and ultimately discover their voices. At BGCCA, where programming is focused primarily on the hours when students are not in school, opportunities to discover one’s voice are a key component for creating civic-minded adults. This does not happen in a vacuum, nor does it happen overnight. Within a structured environment and across the careful scaffolding of years, dedicated staff members encourage each child’s potential, often against difficult or seemingly impossible odds.
Creating that space involves meeting “challenges such as food insecurity and poverty,” says Alexander. Through BGCCA’s own commercial-grade kitchen and additional partnerships with organizations such as the Free Food Fridge of Albany, they bridge the gaps. They even supplement the nutritional program by producing some of their own food and providing farming experiences for students through a hydroponic Freight Farm located inside a shipping container near the Troy Clubhouse.
With programming specific for different developmental stages, children in Albany and Troy have countless options. There are 26 Universal Pre-K classrooms (in partnership with Albany County Schools) for example, where students begin to make connections and get involved with positive activities that extend well into their adult years. The 10 afterschool sites and annual summer programs serve the school-aged population by not only providing low-cost childcare for working families, but also a myriad of experiences such as the joy of getting outside, being unplugged, and meeting new friends. Throughout, there are opportunities for students to establish strong connections with staff members who often become mentors and guides. “These kids attend from an early age and often stay with the Club even after their high school journey ends; there is even a program that is geared toward providing career resources,” says Alexander.
For middle and high school students, BGCCA’s teen program provides spaces in both Albany and Troy. The “Clubhouses,” as they are called, are the gathering places where teens can, among other things, get a free haircut or meal, go to the gym, work on a computer, get help with college applications, and practice their music or stage performance. Within the space is structure, counselors, and community partnerships that include the police, fire department, and various corporate entities. “We know there is a lot of dangerous activity that teens are susceptible to on nights and weekends, and so we make the Club a space where they can get away from that,” says Alexander. It is also a space where young people can express their concerns and explore creative solutions. Through BGCCA’s ongoing “Stop the Violence” program, the students themselves are among the featured speakers. They are passionate about curbing gun violence, making their communities safe, and exploring other issues that impact society at large.
Through BGCCA’s opportunities, students discover their voice, their passion, and, like a new bicyclist, their path.
For more information visit their website. During the month of August, say “YES” to the question “Would you like to round up to the nearest dollar.” Know that you are helping to create giant smiles!
* BGCCA partners with Free Wheel Fix.