Meet Azlan (She/Her)
“I feel like the Boys and Girls Club has given me the opportunity to challenge myself to become someone that needed when I was younger. I was encouraged to reach new heights, and they allowed me to feel like I was someone who could actually achieve my dreams. The Club has given me so much, and I cannot say how much everyone here means to me.”
Azlan has been coming to BGC for over 10 years, and has been an active participant across all programs. From afterschool, free youth evening, to specialty programs – Azlan has done it all!
Recently, Azlan has been approached by BGC staff members to apply for our National Youth of the Year Scholarship valued at $10,000! This opportunity will potentially allow Azlan to break down financial barriers to accessing her post secondary education. When Azlan graduates, she aspires to be a lawyer to help advocate for the rights of children and youth experiencing generational poverty and to breakdown systemic barriers they face daily.
Meet Cayden (He/His)
“If it wasn’t for the Boys and Girls Club – I wouldn’t know how to cook at my age that’s for sure. I don’t know any other kids my age that are allowed to even use the kitchen at their house. I feel like because of the programs here I am learning how to be healthy and happy as I get older, when I work with the staff I learn all the steps to make sure I am being safe and I am feeling supported!”
Cayden has been coming to the Boys and Girls Club for “as long as he can remember” and has been an active Club Member in various programs. Cayden has been able to take advantage of our sports and healthy living programs like Kid Food Nation, Ball Hockey, and any other sports program he can participate in.
Most recently, Cayden can be found cooking up a storm with his friends in our Club kitchen creating healthy snacks and meals. Because of our Kid Food Nation program, Cayden has gained the skills and confidence to create healthy snacks for himself and his family on the weekends. This opportunitiy has given Cayden exactly what he needs to pursue his passion for creativity, food, and living a healthy happy lifestyle.
Meet Xander (He/His)
“The Boys and Girls Club has allowed me to take the time to better understand the issues that are happening in our city and how they effect LGBTQ+ communities. I think that because Club has always been so accepting and caring for everyone that I feel comfortable enough to express myself and truly be who I am. The staff care, and they support us for who we are, who we will be, and they let us follow our dreams.”
Xander has been a Club Member for a longtime now, starting out in our free Youth Evening Program! By coming to our program(s) offered in Evening Program, Xander was able to take advantage of a safe, inclusive space for all children and youth in Saint John.
Recently, Xander has expressed an interest in creating an LGBTQ+ Youth Advisory Committee to make sure that LGBTQ+ members are having their voices heard and to ensure that community members are acting with kindness, peace, and taking the time to educate other on systemic issues effecting the LGBTQ+ community. Because of the Boys and Girls Club, Xander has grown into a strong young person who understand social issues and looks forward to working towards creating an equal and more accepting space across Saint John.
Meet Kim (She/Her)
“Being a Club Kid means that I belong. It means that I get the chance to make a difference in other peoples day, and I have the chance to make them smile – even if their day has been tough.”
Kim has been with us since our Daycare days. Kim is a ray of sunshine, and lights up the room with her joyful personality! Kim can be found working hard to make sure that everyone is having fun, feeling supported in their afterschool groups.
Recently, Kim has been a youth leader in her group and takes this role very seriously. Being a leader to Kim means that she must make sure that her group is following what being a “Club Kid” really means. To Kim, this means making sure that every is accepted for who they are, and making sure that they feel the sense of belonging, respect, encouragement, and that we are working together to speak out against bullying.