Step into one of the four Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County Clubhouses and you'll find programs that are impacting local teens.
One of those programs is called Keystone Club. It provides youth ages 14 to 18 with leadership development opportunities both inside and outside Club. The program focuses on three areas: academic success, career preparation and community service.
At the Middlebury Club, teens are planning out projects for the new school year and developing bonds with their peers. On a recent Monday night, they were planning what items to sell in a "Keystone Concessions store" at the Clubhouse, expressing interest in running for leadership posts and playing games to build community.
While it may appear at times from the laughter that it's all fun and games, it's far from that.
"The goal is to teach them leadership, how to pour into the younger kids and how to encourage their peers," said Leah Tuttle, Middlebury's Teen Engagement Supervisor.
Right now they are working on their campaigns and brainstorming fundraisers for later in the year. They're also developing price points for their concession area, Tuttle said.
That concession area is a store that the teens like Andrew Deal operate every afternoon. Other Club members can purchase snacks and drinks as a fundraiser for the club.
There is a core group of about eight members in Middlebury, but Tuttle hopes that number grows as the year progresses.
The teens say they recognize what the Keystone Club can do for them as they prepare for life after high school.
"This gives me volunteer hours for National Honors Society and it's fun," said sophomore Damian Godman. "I got to help out at the zoo the other day and it helps me out academically, too."
"I like to help around the Club. It's helping me with social skills. I'm naturally a shy person but here I'm surrounded by people I trust," said senior Olivia Elliott.
Later in the school year, the group will do a community project or presentation that the teens develop. That will be part of the national program requirement. And the fundraisers they do throughout the year, along with money raised by the concession area, will help pay for a trip to the national Keystone Conference.
At the Middlebury Club, teens are planning out projects for the new school year and developing bonds with their peers. On a recent Monday night, they were planning what items to sell in a "Keystone Concessions store" at the Clubhouse, expressing interest in running for leadership posts and playing games to build community.
While it may appear at times from the laughter that it's all fun and games, it's far from that.
"The goal is to teach them leadership, how to pour into the younger kids and how to encourage their peers," said Leah Tuttle, Middlebury's Teen Engagement Supervisor.
Right now they are working on their campaigns and brainstorming fundraisers for later in the year. They're also developing price points for their concession area, Tuttle said.
That concession area is a store that the teens like Andrew Deal operate every afternoon. Other Club members can purchase snacks and drinks as a fundraiser for the club.
There is a core group of about eight members in Middlebury, but Tuttle hopes that number grows as the year progresses.
The teens say they recognize what the Keystone Club can do for them as they prepare for life after high school.
"This gives me volunteer hours for National Honors Society and it's fun," said sophomore Damian Godman. "I got to help out at the zoo the other day and it helps me out academically, too."
"I like to help around the Club. It's helping me with social skills. I'm naturally a shy person but here I'm surrounded by people I trust," said senior Olivia Elliott.
Later in the school year, the group will do a community project or presentation that the teens develop. That will be part of the national program requirement. And the fundraisers they do throughout the year, along with money raised by the concession area, will help pay for a trip to the national Keystone Conference.
Keystone Club member Andrew Deal stocks shelves at the concession store they operate at the Middlebury Clubhouse.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County began operations in 1956, and today the Clubs provide programming and services for the most at-risk boys and girls within the community. Each day, the Clubs provide powerful relationships with the youth they serve and open avenues of opportunity for young people across their community by offering safe places where young people can learn, grow and succeed.
