Valentine Club Digital Arts Web Design Festival Wins
Valentine Dance Studio Presents “Dreaming out Loud”
HuronConsulting Interns Volunteer at Valentine Club
Valentine Club: Totem Poles Rededication
March Madness with BGCC Associate Board
Valentine Club: Valentine Youth & Lubbock Christian University
Valentine Club: Charter One Bank Check Presentation - Making Music Matter
Midwest Regional Digital Arts Festival - Music Making
Valentine Club hosts “Safe & Secure Video Games” Event with Best Buy and Microsoft
Valentine Club: Valentine Swim/Jr. Lifeguard Team
Valentine BGCC Youth Wins Digital Arts Festival - Photo Manipulation Award
Valentine Club - Valentine's Day Party
Valentine ASDC: Lights On After School!
Valentine A.S.D.C: Physically and Mentally Fit
Valentine Club: All Around MVPs
Valentine Club: The Makings of a Memorable Summer
Valentine After-School Day Care:Violence Prevention
Valentine Club Digital Arts Web Design Festival Wins
Jesse Velazquez and Robert Woods were selected as winners of the Midwest region Digital Arts Festival in Web Design in the in the 10-12 and 16-18 age categories. “We are especially proud of these awards because the websites were designed to raise awareness for both Global Warming and Teen Violence Prevention.” stated Erin Rochford, Valentine Program Director. The winning entries can be seen on www.bgca.net under the Club Tech section. Both of the winners have been members of the Valentine Club for over five years and have both won Digital Arts awards in other categories. Way to go guys!!!
The Club Tech Digital Arts Festivals are a great way for our members to express themselves artistically and showcase the technology skills they’ve acquired through the Club.
Valentine Dance Studio Presents “Dreaming out Loud”
On May 31, 2008 the Valentine Studio directed by Danny DiFoggio
held their annual Spring Recital, “Dreaming Out Loud”.
Over 170 youth ages 3-18 years old showcased their talents in
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Lyrical styles of dance. Our competitive
companies both Junior and Senior wowed the crowd with their dedicated
spirit and outstanding pieces. Both companies placed top three
at the Joe Tremaine and Company Dance Competitions/Conventions
as well as qualified for Nationals in Orlando, Florida. We would
like to congratulate all of Valentine Studio dancers as well as
the devoted Director, Danny DiFoggio for their hard work and determination
throughout the year!
Huron Consulting Interns Volunteer at Valentine Club
Throughout the summer, the Huron Consulting Interns volunteered
their time to host special theme days for Valentine Summer Day
Camp. Themes included Game Show Day, Water Fun Day, Carnival Day
and All-4-Fun Day. The interns formed many special relationships
with campers this summer. It was a pleasure for Valentine Club
staff to have their assistance during camp.
This summer, the Valentine Day Camp engaged over 300 youth ages
6-12 years old in Sports, Art, Swimming, Computers, and Games
Room Activities. Campers attended two field trips a week and were
provided with Lunch and a Snack each day. This year’s camp
theme was Diversity. Each group was named after a country. Every
week, the counselor educated the youth on various topics such
as Culture, Dance, Food, Music, Sports, Hometown Heroes and Art
pertaining to their country. Each youth then created a fun historical
book on their country including all of their work from each workshop.
Valentine had 32 Junior Staff ages 13-15 years old assisting the
Day Camp groups. Each Junior Staff person was also responsible
for leading weekly educational workshops on Dental Hygiene, Birth
of the Statue of Liberty, Recycling, Pop Music, Sox vs. Cubs,
Dr. Seuss and Seat Belt Safety. Congratulations Valentine Club
for providing campers with a fun-filled and educational summer!
Valentine Club: Totem Poles Rededication
On Saturday, May 10, 2008 the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago presented a Totem Pole Rededication Ceremony for the newly refurbished Totem Poles outside the entrance of the Club located on 3400 S. Emerald.
The program included a Blessing and History of Totem Poles, and Tribal Dancers. Georgina Roy, Assistant Director of the Anawim Center of Chicago and Myles Goddard, Vice President of Midwest SOARRING Foundation, an organization that provides education about American Indian Cultures and environmental concerns performed the Four Directions Native American Prayer and Blessing and delivered the history of the totem poles.
Helping to secure the $100,000 funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the monumental sculptures were Board members, friends and partners of the Valentine Club including: 11th District Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley, 11th Ward Alderman James A. Balcer, 1st District State Senator Antonio Muñoz, and 2nd District Representative Edward J. Acevedo.
March Madness with BGCC Associate Board
On March 31st, the Valentine Youth welcomed members of the Boys
and Girls Club of Chicago Associate Board and celebrated March
Madness. Approximately 30 youth and teens participated in Basketball
Knock-out, created their very own Jerseys, competed in College
Basketball Trivia and enjoyed a scrumptious pizza party. We would
like to cordially thank the Board for this exciting celebration.
Valentine Club: Valentine Youth & Lubbock Christian University
On Thursday, February 21, 2008, twenty-one employees of Financial
Strategies Network, LLC closed their office doors and spent the
entire day at the McCormick Boys & Girls Club. The volunteer
group assisted with the beautification of the new Cadet Room for
6 & 7 year olds and the new additional space for the Bea Pounian
Academy of Arts Program. The entire volunteer group were from
the firm of McCormick Club Board Member Craig Richart. The group
donated their creative ideas, energy and time to help bring to
“life” the new program spaces. In addition to the
painting project, they also cleaned the outside of the third floor
windows. Financial Strategies Network, LLC also will provide a
financial donation to cover the expenses associated with the indoor
beautification project.
Valentine Club: Charter One Bank Check Presentation - Making Music Matter
On Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Charter One Bank presented the Louis
L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club with a $25,000 check for its
new music room and program. Charter One Bank’s “Making
Music Matter” program recognizes and supports local not-for-profit
organizations by raising much-needed funds at select concerts
throughout the summer.
Several gently used musical instruments were collected at local
Charter One branches and donated specifically for the music program.
Thanks to Charter One, the Valentine Club now offers music lessons
to Club members in beginning and intermediate piano, beginning
and intermediate guitar, drums, youth choir and electronic music
and song production.
Midwest Regional Digital Arts Festival - Music Making
Valentine Club member John Lange is the National winner for the Digital Arts Festival Music Making category for the 16-18 age groups. Boys and Girls Clubs of America hosts an annual Digital Arts Festival in five categories of technology driven arts programs, such as music making, film making, photoshop and others. The Music Making area explores a variety of digital music software applications and basic music theory, Club members learned to write sheet music, mix musical loops, and compose and record original songs. You can hear John’s winning piece at www.myclubmylife.com
Congratulations John!
Valentine Club hosts “Safe & Secure Video Games” Event with Best Buy and Microsoft
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago teamed up with Microsoft and Best Buy to host a safe and secure gaming event Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Louis L. Valentine Club. The featured game of the night was Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock a popular video game that is suitable for a broad range of family members and inspires players to be active.
Best Buy and Microsoft representatives offered families tips
on gaming safety, and encouraged a balanced approach to interactive
media use as well as educating parents on ways they can limit
children’s exposure to inappropriate video game and movie
content. Over 150 Club members and 50 parents attended the fun
filled event. The program emcee was 11th Ward Alderman James A.
Balcer, Valentine Club Board president. Guest speakers included
Commander Eugene Roy 9th District Police Department and Esther
Golar, 6th District State Representative.
two Xbox gaming centers were donated to the Club and Xbox 360
and Guitar Hero III games were raffled off to Club members. Best
Buy and Microsoft staff also helped serve pizza and soda and hand
out goodie bags to participants. It meant a lot for Club members
and parents to attend an event that focused on such a timely issue
as gaming safety that was also fun for kids.
In conjunction with this event, Best Buy stores nationwide are selling collectible Guitar Hero III key chains for $2, with proceeds supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s commitment to providing a positive place for youth to engage in safe gaming and gain essential tech skills through its Club Tech program.
Five Members of the Valentine Swim/Jr. Lifeguard Team participated on TEAM CHICAGO, a citywide Junior Lifeguard team. Club members traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to compete in the United States Lifesaving Association national Jr. Lifeguard Competition. They faced 30 teams, over 1,000 competitors from beach cities everywhere, sustaining jellyfish stings and battling 4 foot waves in 100 degree temperatures. The Club members under the pressure of competition and other obstacles came home with a third place medal!
The Valentine Swim team competed in the 11th Ward swim meet bringing a first and third trophy to the club for the second year in a row. Congratulations Valentine!
Valentine
BGCC Youth Wins Digital Arts Festival
Photo Manipulation Award
On Thursday February 15, 2007, Jesse Velazquez, a teen at the
Valentine Boys and Girls Club received an award for winning a
photoshop contest. Jesse, age 14, created his photo with pictures
from the war in Iraq and pondered what would happen if he were
there. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America hosts an annual Digital
Arts Festival in five categories of technology driven arts programs,
such as music making, film making, photoshop and others. Valentine
Club
Valentine's Day Party
On Wednesday February 14, 2006 the Valentine Boys and Girls Club
hosted its annual Valentine's Day party. This year’s party
was sponsored by the Rotary Club and Club members enjoyed a party
unlike any in the past. Youth rotated throughout several stations
in the club which included inflatables, Valentine's Day themed piñata,
arts and crafts, and bingo. Also there were special presentations
on careers from high standing local community members. Club members
were engaged throughout the day and received goodie bags as well
as fun freebies from our career presenters.
Young Reporter Scores Interview with Mayor Daley
Brendan Epton, a member of the Valentine School Age program, hopes to create a kids’ newsletter, entitled Kids Talk. He loves to write and hopes to have newsletter published as column in a “real” newspaper someday. Brendan got his first taste of being a reporter at a recent news conference where the Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich discussed raising the minimum-wage rate. Brendan got close enough “masquerading as a television reporter”, to actually interview Mayor Daley. He was photographed interviewing the Mayor and managed to land on page 6 of the Chicago Sun-Times, Sunday, October 29, 2006 edition---impressive. Brendan was also able to get both the Governor and the Mayor to autograph his simulated microphone. What better way to get into the business, than with a first rate interview!
Valentine ASDC: Lights On After School
The Valentine ASDC participated in the national “Lights on After School” day which took place on October 12, 2006. The children and staff carried two large light bulbs as they went out into the community to “shine the light” on quality after school programs. The goal was to enlighten the community on the impact these programs have on lives of the children served, and consequently garner support for future programming. The first signature of support was from Alderman James Balcer. The children were able to get numerous signatures from local businesses and other people in the community.
Valentine A.S.D.C: Physically and Mentally Fit
In August, the Valentine A.S.D.C. children and youth completed their Walk Across Illinois project in association with the State of Illinois Lieutenant Governor’s office. Twenty-seven children and youth received Certificates of Completion from the Lieutenant Governor’s office for completing at least 167 miles or more (the length of the State of Illinois) during this project. Our winner, David Dietrich, completed 374 miles, with the help of his parents logging his weekend activities. Total miles completed for all of the 44 youth---7,759 miles. Keeping fit is the way to go!
Also in August, the Valentine A.S.D.C. completed the Summer Reading Program in partnership with the Richard J. Daley Library. There were a total of 44 children and youth reading books and completing book reports throughout the summer. Top readers, David Dietrich, 8 years old, read 47 books, Carole Ann Frugoli, 8 years old, read 23 books, and India Marks, 11 years old, read 23 books. All children and youth completing the book report logs received certificates and t-shirts from the library. The winners also received special recognition and other incentives at the end of the summer celebration.
Finally, on August 12, Valentine A.S.D.C. staff and youth were part of the Bud Billiken parade through a partnership with Action for Children. Staff and youth took time to be a part of the community event and show their support. Our presence highlighted the fact that we believe children/youth are important.
Valentine Club: All Around MVPs
On August 9th the Valentine Boys & Girls Club participated
in the 11th Ward Swim Meet. The Valentine members competed against
youth from 11 Chicago Park Districts. The club had 3 teams to
participate, and won both 1st and 3rd place in the meet. On August 17th, 16 Junior Counselors from the Valentine Club
were rewarded for their hard work throughout the summer with a
trip to U.S. Cellular Field. The youth were allowed to watch batting
practice, given tickets to the Game, and $10 in Comiskey Cash
for food and drinks. Jermaine Dye, 2005 World Series MVP, inducted
the teens into his MVP Program presenting them with gift bags
and an autographed picture.
Valentine Club: The Makings of a Memorable Summer
June 16-18, 2006 the Valentine Boys & Girls Club hosted its 1st Annual Art and Music Festival. Art vendors, community restaurants and musicians showcased their talent throughout the weekend. Community and Club members, family and friends participated in establishing a wonderful tradition.
CAPS proudly introduced ex-Bulls center Scottie Pippen to the Valentine Boys & Girls Club on July 13, 2006. Scottie spoke to the youth about the importance of education, staying off the streets and leadership development. The youth were also very excited to meet Benny the Bull! Scottie gave away autographed basketballs, beanie babies and Bulls memorabilia.
The Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago Day Camp encourages youth ages 6-12 years old to become well rounded individuals while participating in daily activities of sports, arts & crafts, game room, swimming, indoor/outdoor activities, leadership development, youth-led educational games/workshops and field trips. We have over 380 youth participating in our program.
Valentine After-School Day Care: Violence Prevention
On July 17, 2006 the Valentine A.S.D.C. and Club youth, ages 10-12 years old experienced a hands-on workshop discussing Violence Prevention. Two disabled ex-gang members spoke to the youth about their childhood which had involved gangs, drugs and homelessness. The youth learned about the influence the Boys & Girls Club had on the lives of the speakers.
