Partner Perspectives are written by members of the Community Consulting Board through the Center for Civic Engagement. These articles provide examples of partnerships, best practices, and other insights from the viewpoint of Illinois State University’s community partners.
While Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal (BGCBN) and Illinois State University have a number of partnerships throughout each year, one that plays a major role in the functioning of the organization revolves around the numerous Illinois State students who come to BGCBN as volunteers to complete service projects and fulfill their diversity hour requirements and observation hours.
Those who come to volunteer complete an onboarding process with BGCBN’s Family and Volunteer Coordinator, Leslie Adams, who then works with BGCBN’s Unit Directors to determine the most appropriate location for the volunteer, who might serve on the elementary site or one of the teen sites. While these volunteers have specific requirements per their classes, BGCBN ensures that the mission of the club is clear: to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
This mission is further expanded upon through targeted programming, where members participate in curriculum tied to Boys & Girls Club of America’s five core program areas, including The Arts, Education, Health & Wellness, Leadership & Service, and Sports & Recreation. Other parts of programming that support the mission include positive club climate, social work partnerships, choice programming, teen nights, and field trip opportunities within the community.
In order to support the success of each of these pieces of the mission, volunteers are encouraged to remain consistent in their volunteering, as the greatest impact between youth and volunteers happens when interactions continue over an extended period of time, allowing for a relationship to develop and grow.
For this reason, volunteers are encouraged to spread out their hours, allowing for the individual to remain at the club for an entire semester. Some of these volunteers have been so inspired by their experiences at the club that they volunteer beyond their required hours, returning for another semester, or even becoming an employee at BGCBN.
Such is the case of Elliot Royer, a secondary math education major at Illinois State University. Royer started volunteering as part of his MAT 223 course, but he soon decided to become a youth development professional (YDP) at the club’s Parkside Junior High School location. Royer found that he enjoyed working alongside youth through club programming and realized his class schedule allowed for him to work at the club as well, providing him with an employment opportunity while in school.
Royer shared that “as a volunteer, I did a fraction of what I am doing now. I had very little to do with planning or leading programming and was there mainly for behavior support. Now I’ve been given a lot more responsibility, including leading programming for seventh and eighth graders at Parkside Junior High School.”
Due to the connections developed during his time as a volunteer, Royer says that it was easy to adapt to his new role, and the members place more trust in him. “I have spent my time working at BGCBN bettering myself as a leader for youth development and gaining relevant skills for my career in education, along with making impactful, positive changes for the members I see.”
Currently, the Parkside Junior High School location sees an average of 33 members per day, a number that continues to grow. Royer’s decision to become a YDP has played a key role in BGCBN being able to appropriately staff and serve members from all Unit 5 junior highs at this location, ensuring a safe environment for the teens who come to programming each day.
BGCBN is thankful for the continued community support through Illinois State partnerships, as the impact of Redbird volunteers greatly impacts the club’s mission of empowering members in all areas of their lives. Furthermore, this impact reaches the families of the members, allowing the club to provide services and support through other Illinois State partnerships and community partners.
