Today’s International Youth Day events and conversations got us thinking about our work with young people, and one group in particular that supports them. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America offer opportunities for thousands of children every year: fun and educational programs that keep them active, engaged in school, and off the streets. But like most nonprofits, the Boys and Girls Clubs are strapped for the resources they need.
That’s why we were delighted when one of our fantastic clients, Blue Sky Studios, decided that they wanted some of their old tech to go to the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, CT. I went out to Stamford to drop off some computer hardware and check out their facility.
I spoke to Jeff Pytlak, the Director of Programming, about the difference his club is making. “A lot of these kids that attend here would not have an opportunity to partake in the kinds of programs and activities that we offer without the club,” he told me. “The reward of seeing kids succeed is why I continue to do this.”
Jeff gets the most value out of his days by spending one-on-one time with the children and is always looking to find more ways to spend more time directly with the kids. Jeff told me a story of one such child he has helped:
“One kid who started at summer camp wouldn’t talk,” Jeff said. “Over the course of spending time with him it got to the point where he started to speak if no one was here – he’d come up and whisper in my ear.” That progress continued throughout the summer – and now, according to Jeff, “he’s one of the most outgoing kids in the club. It just took someone taking the time to understand him instead of pushing him to the side that I think made the biggest difference in his life.”
Having an additional computers will also help Boys and Girls Club staff members like Jeff perform their administrative duties more easily. As we continue to partner with Blue Sky we hope to eventually build out their entire technology infrastructure. Ambitious? Yes. But that how strongly we believe in the power of repurposing.
