Voice of Youth at the Fiske School Boys & Girls Club
Fiske Club: Staples Design Party
On Wednesday, February 7, 2007, there was a grand opening of the Holy Angels Club Game Room. The Game Room was completely renovated with the help and support of DTLR (Down Town Locker Room) a group specializing in urban wear. DTLR purchased new furniture, and games. The project was initiated by Rasaan Fuller and Sherri Goodall of the DTLR Corporate office in Baltimore, MD. That Tuesday, February 6, at least 30 DTLR representatives painted the Game Room and set up the furniture.
Other contributors were Home Depot, who donated a $300 gift card; Chase Bank contributed $500 through a team volunteer grant, and a group of volunteers from Chase. Also, pictures of several music icons were donated by Sony.
The grand reopening was attended by several Holy Angels supporters including Linda Finke of Jive Records, LJ McDowell of Sony BMG, Marcus Thompson and Stephanie Hunter of Power 92 radio station, Phil Franklin and Davon Jackson, the store managers and staff from DTLR.
During the month of October the Fiske Boys & Girls Club participated in a number of events. In an effort to raise awareness of after-school programs, they attended the Lights On event at the Englewood Club. Members of the Science Club visited the Museum of Science & Industry, where they spoke with several science professionals about their careers. The Torch Club hosted an ice cream social for the parents and faculty of Fiske Elementary School during a recent open house. Last, but not least, Fiske Club members attended the Democracy Youth Summit held at the Gary Comer Youth Center to discuss various topics related to teens.
Voice
of Youth at the Fiske School Boys & Girls Club
Interview with
Antavia Neal, female, 14 years old, 7th grade
Demarco Young, male, 14 years old, 7th grade
Both Antavia Neal and Demarco Young are 14 years old, attend seventh grade at the Fiske School in Chicago, and are members of the Fiske Boys & Girl Club at the same school. The similarities do not end there.
Both agree that one of the best things that ever happened to them was their Club’s decision to establish a partnership at their school. Though the interviews were conducted separately, both young people seemed to echo each other when describing what the Club means to them. According to Demarco, “If I didn’t have the Club, I’d probably be in gang, or a drug dealer. Here I’m learning to be a responsible young African-American man, and I’m thankful for that.” Antavia notes, “Without the Club, I’d be watching TV or babysitting. Here they teach us how to stay safe; we learn how to give back to the community, and we have fun… but they also help us with our homework and with test prep.”
Antavia and Demarco also agree that is extremely convenient to have the Club at the school. Antavia observes, “I feel safe at the program because I don’t have to travel anywhere. The Club is right inside the school… It is very helpful and it’s so convenient. We come to the Club right after school. I attend
Monday through Thursday from 2:45 till 6:15.” Almost like an echo, Demarco says, “It’s good that the Boys & Girls Club is based at the school because there’s too much violence out in the real world, and here you just have to walk down to the facility.”
Both gave high marks to the Club’s staff. Antavia says, “The relationship with the staff is like a parent-child relationship. They tell us when we are doing something wrong, and tell us ‘good job’ when we do something right. The staff members are like family to me.” Demarco agrees, remarking, “What I like most about the program are the staff members. They are all cool but my favorite is Deborah Strong. She’s super-cool. She’s my role model.”
Demarco likes Passport to Manhood a lot because it “tells you about being a boy turning into a man. We talk about puberty and hygiene, what a boy needs to do to stay fresh. We talk about self-esteem, why it’s so important… They teach us about peer pressure and how to resist…What I really like is that it’s just for young men.” And Antavia loves Smart Girls “because it helps you with your self esteem, and to make smart choices in your life… Also because you can talk with other girls about being a teenager, about how you feel about your body and all that stuff…” The Torch Club is also a favorite – both enjoy giving back to the community and learning how to be a leader.
Both Demarco and Antavia say that they are better students because of their participation in Club programs – that the Club helped them turn around academically. They wouldn’t change anything about Club programs, but Antavia would like to have a Club close to home that would open on weekends. Both feel that the positive role models at the Club and their close relationships with staff have been a very good influence in their lives.
The two Fiske school students were one voice in their recommendation that all schools should have a Boys & Girls Club. Antavia says, “The Club helps you a lot so you won’t be in the streets and they help you stay and do better in school.” Demarco adds, “All schools should have this type of Club. As I mentioned, if I didn’t have the Club in my school, I’d probably be dealing drugs or in a gang. The Club gives me a chance to succeed.”
