Minnesota Update Check out all our latest updates from Minnesota Boys & Girls Clubs |
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Top Stories: - MN Boys & Girls Clubs Open During Pandemic
- Clubs Meet Shifting Educational Needs of Kids
- Clubs' Work Addressing the Equity Gap Has Never Been More Important
- Clubs Spotlight
- Youth Spotlight
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This Holiday Season we are thankful for the staff and kids who are in the Clubs each day. Click on the video below to see how we all come together in this challenging time. |
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MN Boys & Girls Clubs Open During Pandemic, Despite Challenges A number of Minnesota Boys & Girls Clubs have been open since the pandemic began; providing emergency childcare and meals to families. Over the course of the last six months, Clubs have reopened to serve our communities, with almost all Club organizations serving youth, on-site, as well as doing virtual programming. It continues to be challenging to help youth who need Clubs the most during this time. Clubs have had to cap participation for health and safety reasons, while staffing and safety costs increase, and a downturn in the economy reduces fundraising. Coupled with the dangers of COVID-19 for staff, Clubs continue to be stretched to the limit. Clubs know they need to be open to help families through this challenging time, but without increased pandemic recovery funding for nonprofit organizations, Clubs fear an unsustainable operating future. | | |
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Clubs Meet Shifting Educational Needs of Youth Clubs across the state have stepped up to make sure kids have a place to go, and help with their schoolwork, when their schools are in hybrid or distance learning. Seven Club locations in Minnesota are now open all day to youth who are not in school due to the pandemic. This is a monumental task for Clubs that are usually open just in afterschool hours, or in the summer. While Clubs have always provided homework help to participants, Clubs have increased the amount of resources and time put towards helping youth with their distance learning. Clubs also received funding from ConnectedMN, and other groups, to purchase additional computer devices and increase internet access for youth. This has helped Clubs increase their role as a safe, computer and internet access point for youth who struggle to get connected. | | |
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Clubs' Work Addressing the Equity Gap Has Never Been More Important At Boys & Girls Clubs in Minnesota, we believe every young person has what it takes. At the Club, youth find safe spaces, supportive mentors and high-quality programming to help them grow into productive, caring, responsible adults. Right now, we are at a critical juncture as widening wealth, equity and opportunity gaps limit and threaten the great futures our young people deserve. Clubs support kids and teens – of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and religion – providing a safe, inclusive environment for every child who walks through our doors. Boys & Girls Clubs in Minnesota stands against racism and discrimination. The work that occurs at our Clubs every day is part of the change needed to provide equitable opportunity to all. Our Clubs offer youth safe, supportive environments where kids and teens of all races and backgrounds are encouraged to have difficult conversations and use their voices to create positive change. Minnesota Clubs are working even harder to help youth voices be heard. Just recently, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities hosted a racial equity and justice town hall with youth and state officials. Other Clubs have created youth and staff listening sessions and are assisting teens in getting involved in advocacy. | | |
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Youth Spotlight Fifth grader Christopher* has attended the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities since 2016. As a regular participant in his Club's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities over the years, he has developed his social skills, emotional maturity, and a strong sense of self-motivation. When our Clubs reopened for the fall session, Christopher demonstrated a clear work ethic and a positive mindset toward the new routine of distance learning. Throughout the weeks, he has consistently focused on completing his assignments promptly each day. When he finishes his work, Christopher enjoys drawing and reading until it's time to start the next activity. He is considerate of his fellow Club members and is mindful of not disrupting other kids who may still be working on their assignments. We are so happy to have Christopher and other young people back in our Clubs this fall, and we're very proud of Christopher's determination to succeed through the challenges of distance learning. Keep up the awesome work! *Name changed for privacy | | |
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Minnesota Local Clubs News Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester recently partnered with other local community organizations to create a youth distance learning center at the Rochester Civic Center. The projects create a safe space for Rochester youth to learn, interact with others, and have access to other resources like tutors. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN was recently awarded the Greater St Cloud Development Corporation's 2020 Innovation Award. The Award recognized their groundbreaking CareerStart program for teens. The Red Lake Nation Boys & Girls Clubs had Ojibwe cultural liaisons working with their Indigenous youth this summer. Clubs youth learned about beading, Ojibwe language, powwow zumba, hand drum singing, and the 7 Grandfather Teachings.
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