Author: Sarah Durham

By Katie P.

My mom is the best mom in the entire world. Without her I would not be the person I am today. My mom has been so supportive with everything I do. She always tells my sister and me to make sure that we follow our dreams because the sky’s the limit.

This year, I applied to be a part of the Tacoma Youth Philanthropy Board. I was really scared and nervous to apply because I wasn’t sure I was capable of it, despite everyone encouraging me to apply for a position. My mom stayed up with me into the very late hours and helped me finish my essay questions for the application. A few days later I got a call for an interview and that made me even more nervous. My mom talked to me and calmed my nerves down when I was on my way to my interview. She had called me and told me that no matter what happened she was proud of me. If it wasn’t for her encouragement I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to make it through the interview because I kept thinking of my mom’s words.

My mom loves me and my sister so unconditionally that words just can’t describe how much she means to me. No matter what we do or have done, she will always love us. My mom always say “I love you to the moon and back,” and I know deep down that she truly does. My mom is my role model, my rock and my best friend. When teachers ask me what I want to be when I grow up, I always tell them that I want to be just like my mom, simply because she is the BEST!

Boys & Girls Clubs youth are celebrating a Denver victory – off the field.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver triumphed over Boys & Girls Clubs of King County in the first ever Boys & Girls Clubs Bowl, an online fundraising challenge inspired by their cities’ appearances in the Super Bowl. In the final minutes of the competition, Denver pulled into the lead by raising $28,584 to Seattle’s $24,066. The terms of the competition are that the staff and kids of the losing organization are to wear the colors of the opposing team for a day.

“Although we lost the official challenge, all King County and Denver-area Boys & Girls Clubs kids are the winners,” says Calvin Lyons, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County President & CEO.  Kathy Luna, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver agrees, “What an incredible way to raise more than $53,000 for Club kids in just over a week.” Read more. 

Save the date for Youth of the Year! The Washington State Youth of the Year will take place on March 18th and 19th. Check out the flyer below for more information on the Gala Dinner at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center!

Noni LaLone was the first person in her family with a college degree. Her father, 17 when she was born, didn’t graduate from high school.

Today, LaLone is a partner in the Everett office of a major accounting, tax and consulting firm. She also heads a steering committee to launch InspireHer, a new effort to help girls build successful lives and careers.

“My upbringing was not ‘Leave It to Beaver,’” said LaLone, who works at Moss Adams LLP. “A lot of people helped me along the way. I want to do for others what people did for me.”

LaLone told her story at a breakfast Wednesday at the Everett Golf & Country Club. Women were invited to learn how they could help with InspireHer, as mentors, planners or donors.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County will be the home of InspireHer, which is sponsored by Moss Adams. There is a similar program in King County, InfluenceHer, but LaLone said the grass-roots effort here is distinct to Snohomish County.

Women invited to Wednesday’s event were “hand-picked” as role models and potential mentors by InspireHer organizers, LaLone said. Seventy women attended the breakfast. And $4,600 was raised to provide girls with memberships to local Boys & Girls Clubs and for special programming.

InspireHer will target girls ages 8 to 18. The goal is to foster success in three areas: career and academic achievement, character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Read more.

TACOMA, Wash. — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but for greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”

In 2014, Tacoma’s Raining HOPE Keystone Club got to make this a reality when we were able to help those that were in need. We volunteered at a local pantry called St. Leo Food Connection in downtown Tacoma. The greatest thing about the pantry is that they never turn anyone away.

As soon as we walked into St. Leo’s, it had a totally different vibe, one that we were not expecting. Everyone welcomed us with open arms. Read more. 

KENNEWICK, WA – A teenager at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties Music & Arts Center will soon help shape teen programs across the country.

The organization has selected 14-year-old Monyae Rizzuto of Kennewick to serve on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2014 National Teen Advisory Council. He is one of just 10 teens across the country who will serve on this group.

Throughout the year, Rizzuto will join in on conference calls with staff members from the national organization to review program materials for teenagers. He will also take part in special focus groups and give staff members more insight into the minds and culture of today’s teenagers.

The Boys & Girls Club says Rizzuto’s thoughts and feedback will play a large role in creating and fine-tuning teen programs in the future.