Interview with Chris Emond, CEO, Boys and Girls Club
What is your organization’s mission?
We provide three things: a safe place, positive role models, and the opportunity for kids to expand their horizons.
Who do you serve within the Greater Lakes Region? And through what programs and services do you serve them?
We serve infants through high school students through four distinct programs: early childhood, afterschool programs, teen services, and summer day camp.
How do you impact peoples’ lives?
We give kids the opportunity to open their eyes to new possibility. I’ve been watching it happen for 20 years. Kids have a trajectory that they might live paycheck to paycheck, but we show them that there is another way and that we are going to help them find the path. We have these conversations with the kids every day. All our programs are a vehicle to have those conversations. Alumni don’t remember the activities, but they remember the encouragement from the adults and come back and share their experiences. Kids listen and will remember what you say.
How has funding from the Greater Lakes Children’s Auction benefited your organization?
It’s hugely important. We offer a lot of financial aid because we do have fees, and this funding is critical.
What kind of feedback do you get from those you serve?
One of the nice things is seeing the kids come back as adults and seeing them send their own kids to the club. It’s great to see how successful they are—however you define success. Most importantly, they are happy, and that is a huge accomplishment.
Please tell us a story about an impact you had on a child or a family that was transformative.
In 1999, a young boy was murdered and that led to the founding of the teen center that later became the Boys and Girls Club. I’ve met with the child’s mother, and his death is very much still fresh. She has thanked us for what we’ve done, and we always make it a point not to forget that story.
Interview done by Janice Beetle Books.
Over 150 campers and counselors joined the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction on July 31 on the M/S Washington for a complimentary narrated scenic day time cruise at 10 am. The weather was gorgeous and we are grateful that the Boys and Girls Club along with many other children from our funded nonprofits joined us. We had almost 300 guests and we are excited that we were able to provide them a unique opportunity to get out on the water. Visit our blog to learn more about this special adventure.
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