Ridgefield Press: May 20, 2015
Among thousands around the country, the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield was chosen as the best overall program in the nation at the Boys & Girls Club of America’s 109th National Conference held May 12 to 15 in Chicago. The Ridgefield Club received the Honor Award for Best Overall Program and a $5,000 award from MetLife Foundation, sponsor of the annual recognition program rewarding local clubs for innovative, effective youth programming.
“The key to the club’s success is rooted in the support we receive from the Ridgefield community,” said Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Mike Flynn. “From community partners to engaged donors, Ridgefield cares about this club, and it shows,” he said. “This is really an award for the town and people of Ridgefield.”
The Honor Award for Best Overall Program is presented to one club a year that excels in all five of Boys & Girls Club of America’s core program areas: character & leadership development, education & career development, health & life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
“Our job is to make each club member feel a sense of belonging and purpose at the club,” Flynn said. “We welcome each child by name, and we try to recognize each child for their accomplishments, from small things like helping a staff member to significant milestones like celebrating high school graduation,” Flynn said.
The club builds programming around priority outcome areas: academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and citizenship. “The results are impressive,” said Flynn. He cited statistics. Last year 227 young people participated in Project Learn, the club’s theme-based learning during out-of-school hours. The club’s middle school service-oriented Torch Club grew to 75 members. And the high school leadership and service club, Keystone, won two national awards for Teen Outreach and Community Service — bringing the Keystone Club’s national award total to nine in the last four years.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield’s mission is to inspire and enable all youth to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens,” Flynn said. The club provides program opportunities for 2,200 members and more than 3,500 young people each year.