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A Positive Place

The Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge provides a safe and positive place for the city's youth. Grants from the Lethbridge Community Foundation have enabled the Boys and Girls Club to provide even more enriching experiences for children.

Between 55 and 60 children a week participate in the Homework Program, which runs from September to June. "The program provides an hour and a half of supervised homework right after school in our special homework room," explained Jen Casselman. "Education students from the University volunteer for the program, providing children with the attention and assistance they need. The one-on-one mentoring is great." Participants in the program can use the internet, work on math and English worksheets, participate in spelling bees, and join in many other fun and educational games. "The kids just get hooked," said Jen. Over the past few years, the program has attracted more and more children, who return year after year.

The Foundation grant provided materials for the resource room, including books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, computer software, and comfortable furniture. "All these tools help us improve our homework program, which just keeps growing," Jen explained.

"Come and Meet Pals" is a Saturday program for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. About 20 children between the ages of 5 and 15 have participated in the program, which exposes them to new experiences and helps them to make friends, interact with others, and develop social skills. "The Foundation grant was a huge help in making the program a better and broader learning experience for the children," said Jen. The grant enabled the program to offer more off-site trips, provide nutritious snacks, and purchase crafts supplies.

Both of these programs get high marks from workers, participants and parents. "We have had nothing but positive feedback," said Jen, "and every one can hardly wait for the programs to start again in the fall."

From the LCF Report to the Community 2004