Introduction This research paper is brief information about my senior project topic “The affects public recreation and community centers have in communities”. The reasoning for this selection of this topic is because when I was younger every weekend and summer I would go over to my local community center to play basketball with other kids from the neighborhood. I chose recreation and community centers to research because I’m interested in the funds of these centers, the adults who take the time out of their lives to interact with these children, what these recreations and community centers have to offer for children and the community as a whole, their partnerships and there missions. I hope to accomplish with this project is to make sure that …show more content…
these children and communities are getting everything they deserve because when I was growing up my community recreation center didn’t have much for is children in the neighborhood. A latest article I have on the community center is the Salvation Army. The article is mainly about the Salvation Army’s Red kettle Christmas campaign. Its about them hoping for donations for mobile phones this year. This campaign started in the beginning of the month of November (2010), it’s a new charity idea and was thought of to make donations quicker and much easier. “Nowadays people are so inclined to have a phone in their hands, so donating to help those in need in the community is just a text away,” said Stephanie Romett, public recreations volunteer coordinator with the Salvation Army’s Virginia Peninsula Command in Hampton. Origin of the Boys and Girls Club The Boys and Girls club started in 1860 with just three women in Hartford, CT. Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin and Elizabeth Hamersley. They had a thought that young boys that were in the streets should have something positive to do with their lives and time. These women started the first club. They began this cause. The following are some history highlights: In 1906, most boys club grew. The Federated Boys Club in Boston was created with a 53 member organization. This was the start of a nationwide movement and our national organization. In 1931, The Boys Club of America received a U.S. Congressional Charter and because females became a component to the cause of The Boys Club this national organization’s name changed to The Boys and Girls Club of America in 1990. In the year 2006 marked the bicentennial year of The Boys and Girls Club of America. The organization celebrated 100 years of providing opportunities and hope to the youth across the nation. The development of the charter has been the goal since the start of the organization in 1806.
The Clubs first professional worker was John Collins; he devised a system to inform guidance to grabbing the attention of boys to join the club. He accomplished this simply by capturing their interest, improving their behaviors, increasing their goals and expectations in life. Collin’s methods made a clear plan, this structured type of method to take boys off of the streets and enhance their development towards a successful well-produced future. This system enhanced the basis of The Boys and Girls Club environment. Today this method is still being implemented with supported results. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America vowel to the development of the charter being the basic building in a person’s personal development. They believe this method should be an integral aspect for every Boys and Girls Club’s program activity. Aaron Fakringer, a Regional Director for the West Coast Chapter in the 1950’s wrote The Boys and Girls Club code as part of the movement’s celebration for the anniversary of the club. The code was used extensively in the 50’s and 60’s. This code is still shown in lots of Boys and Girls Club’s today; in support of this …show more content…
thought. The Boys and Girls Club Code: “I believe in God and the right to worship according to my own faith and religion. I believe in America and the American way of life… in the Constitution and The Bill of Rights. I believe in fair play, honesty, and sportsmanship. I believe in Boys and Girls Club, which stands for these things.” Why we Care At the Boys and Girls Club child safety is part of their mission and commitment to the security of the youth. The Boys and Girls Club ensure that they can provide a safe haven for children. The actions the Boys and Girls Club have taken over the years include advocating for the youth by way of passage of the U.S. Protect Act, which administers background checks, screenings and access to these. The Boys and Girls Club also have partnered with agencies in the FBI, the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and the CDC to contribute development of the safety practices that will benefit youth within and out of the organization. (http://www.bgca.org/whywecare/childandclubsafety/pages/childsafety.aspx) Today children are faced with huge challenges that range from poverty, the high school drop-out crisis, to health and the youth obesity epidemic. These are just a few of the issues that put today youth’s futures at a higher risk then some years ago. Due to these misfortunes the Boys and Girls Club maintains a reputation of ensuring safe havens for America’s youth. The organization is staffed with adults whom are compassionate to the needs of children and they mentor these children with their best interest at heart. While child safety has been top priority for the club throughout its history, the work can never be done. The Boys and Girls Club is very much committed to helping the separate clubs provide a safe and secure experience for youth during their times there. Through the children and safety departments a five-step plan that advances in technology and expertise. 1. Criminal background checks 2. 24-hour toll-free child safety hotline 3. Safety policies and procedures 4. Child Safety training 5. Security Technology Programs Offered Education and Career are programs that are offered at The Boys and Girls Clubs. They have implemented this program strategy for every member each year. It’s designed for all of the clubs no matter their size or resources as they partner up with the youth, schools, parents, and other community decision makers to demonstrate one of the four approaches and techniques. Academic enrichment, and school engagement works with dropout prevention and is an intensive intervention along with case management. Their aim is to make sure that everyone in the club graduates from high school on time and ready for a post or secondary education. Another program that The Boys and Girls Club offers is what’s known as the D2D which is the Diplomas to Degree program, which is a college readiness group for teens. It provides vast range of services that’ll guide its members of the Boys and Girls Club as they work towards earning their High School Diploma. The D2D program prepares the student again for secondary and/or post education. This focuses on developing the student to become successful in college. The Boys and Girls Club has a group of staff and facilitators whom mentor the teen members and use guidance tools such as high-yield activities and a teen college guide. This guide provides tips on achieving progress with academics and planning for post education. The member can also access the D2D information anytime that they need to from home at their convenience. Next, there is a program called BE GREAT; GRADUATE. This program BE GREAT; GRADUATE focuses on assisting and preventing the youth drop-out rate. It’s a program to keep the young people in school to high their high school diploma. The program focuses on providing tons of support to the member through adult counselors whom the member has gained trust in. These adults target demonstrating care and understanding while developing them academically. They use early signals such as attendance, the behavior of the member and the member’s ability to comprehend the course work to identify if this youth is a risk of dropping out for failure to comply with the signs listed above. There is another program that’s affiliated with The Boys and Girls Club named PROJECT LEARN. This program enforces the academic enrichment and learning engagement of the youth during their times spent at The Boys and Girls Club. By using a method based on enjoyable research it’s been proven that students can achieve higher scores in when they use their non-school hours more productively learning while engaging in a fun activity. This is academically beneficial for the members who give total commitment and receive intellectual skills. During this project member of The Boys and Girls Club learn as the staff use all areas of the facility and the program to create opportunities for these members. This includes leisure reading, creative writing activities, and open discussions with adult counselors with knowledge relating to these areas, helping fellow members with homework, tutoring, games, etc. Origin of the Salvation Army William Booth worked hard upon his ministerial career in 1852, wanting to win the lost multitudes of England of Christ.
Booth walked the streets on London preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and less fortunate trying to spread hope. William Booth gave up on the conventional church concept with a pulpit in a church rather he decided to take his message and deliver it to people. This method wasn’t welcomes by other church leaders in London who has more traditional methods of worship. Booth withdrew from these traditional methods and decided to travel throughout England starting evangelistic meetings. Booth’s wife Catherine could be considered the co-founder of the Salvation Army because of her role and support to her husband William. In 1865 William Booth was invited to host a series of evangelic meetings in the Eastern part of London. He had a tent set up in a Quaker graveyard and his services became an instant success. During his time in the traveling independent evangelistic ministries he became a religious leader throughout London. This attracted people near and far to witness his ministry. These were not just law-abiding people yet drunkards, gamblers, prostitutes and thieves were amongst Booth’s converts to Christianity. Booth’s goals lead people to a righteous path and to get them to live better with spiritual guidance. Many churches throughout the land didn’t accept Booths followers because of their past. That never stops
Booth as he continues to lead and give positive direction to his followers. Soon after his followers began preaching and singing in the street as a living testimony to God’s power. By the year 1867 Booth had 10 full-time workers and by 1874 that number grew to be 1,000 volunteers for his cause and 42 evangelists, all helping and serving under the name of “The Christian Mission”. Programs offered The Salvation Army offers many programs such as, Basic needs Housing Youth services Rehabilitation Disaster relief Counseling Spiritual Programs vary from certain locations but in every country in Minnesota and North Dakota there is Salvation Army assistance available. A basic need is a program where if you hit hard times a Salvation Army is available to help you. If its from needing a bag of groceries or just some support on helping pay a bill. Every Salvation Army is ready to help. Housing programs; the Salvation Army has about 50 emergencies, transitional and permanent housing options. They know that some people go through hard times that we don’t plan for like a job loss or medical debt. But they’re there to help. Youth service programs is designed for youths from all ages, some want to learn something new like a new skill instead of going home to an empty house. Some children need help with homework and need adequate dinner. Some of the youth just want to have a conversation with someone willing to listen. It doesn’t matter what the need is from the child the Salvation Army sees potential in each child’s life and they just want to help them see hope for a brighter future. For the youth they have after-school programs, teen drop-in centers, character building programs, music, and Northwoods Camp. Rehabilitation program; their rehab program offers compassion to help people make changes. It doesn’t matter if its people with addictions or repeat incarceration they’re there to help those people find a new life path and reclaim lost hope. They offer a starting point of freedom with counseling, patience, payers and a limitless amount of supply of God’s love. (Addiction Recovery and Correctional Care). Disaster relief; when floods, fires, tornados, and other disasters strike, they provide critical services to make sure that survivors have the support that they need to rebuild their lives. Their team services communities across the country. Services they provide are: Meal Services Spiritual Ministries Counseling Identification/ Registration Shelter Donated Goods Cleanup and Reconstruction Financial Assistance Volunteer Staffing Advocacy Counseling, their moto is “need to talk. We’re here to listen.” No matter what you’re going through you are not alone. They are there to help you get through whatever it is. Salvation Army officers and ordained pastors are available for individual counseling if necessary. They also offer group counseling, care for adults with special needs, guidance for people experiencing certain difficulties in life such as addictions or incarcerations, and visitation for older adults. Spiritual, when you think of the Salvation Army you may think it’s a sort of food bank or housing shelter but it’s actually a Christian Church. They not only assist with physical needs, they also help the healing of souls through their spiritual ministry just by simply sharing the love of Jesus Christ and his promise of salvation. They want to help you experience or explore what it’s like to have a personal relationship with God. The Salvation Army is a church home to hundreds of people on Sundays, but they also offer ministries during the weekdays. Some of these programs include: Sunday Worship Weekday Ministry Programs Pastoral Counseling Prayer Requests
A prevalent but highly economical constraint that has plagued inner city communities is a lack of financial income. Studies have identified “costs of registration, equipment and travel expenses”, as key determents of the lack of participation within recreational activities by lower and single income families (Hughes et al, 1992). Though many programs are offered for free, programs which require fees discourage youth in lower income families from participating (Torrance, 1998). Many Inner cities do not offer recreational programs for its residents within the community, forcing the residents to seek recreational activates elsewhere. This results in additional investments in both time and transportation cost, as many low income families cannot afford a car (Hughes et al, 1992). This causes a strain on single parent families with more than one child, as they struggle to find programs which are suitable for various ages in different locations (Hughes et al, 1992). Another socioeconomic constraint which has heavily impacted recreational activities throughout inner city communities, is a lack of facilities and space for community centers. Residents of low income communities often reside in neighborhoods which lack resources needed to facilitate positive recreational involvement. A study in regards to the
The Gospel Spreading Church was founded by a man by the name of Elder Solomon “Lightfoot” Michaux, who was born, raised, and educated in Virginia. In 1906, Lightfoot came to Mary Eliza Pauline, a woman one year his junior, was born and raised in the church. With hard work and dedication, by the age of 34, Lightfoot, had become “a prosperous business man, securing large government contracts to furnish food to defense establishments.” Mrs. Michaux prayed for the salvation of her husband daily, and one day, “God saved him and from that time forward, they worked as a team in gospel ministry.” One year after finding salvation, Elder Michaux was ordained and licensed. He then began preaching at a small church called “Everybody’s Mission” which he had built up from scratch. Moving from Everybody’s Mission, Michaux began once again to build a church, this time starting from a tent. It was here, in this tent, that one hundred and fifty people would come to accept the Lord as their Savior, and would join the Michaux family in becoming the foundation of the Gospel Spreading Church (GSC).
I began by tutoring at the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) and eventually became a teacher at the boys and girls club. The focus of my continued volunteer work was to enrich the children’s after school experience whether they needed help with homework or busy work. During my volunteer work the issue that stuck out in my mid continuously was social class or classism. The BGC emphasizes many different issues and points such as “creating aspirations for the future,” “Helping youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills for participating in the democratic process is the main thrust of these programs and also to develop leadership skills and provide opportunities for planning, decision-making.” BGC encourages kids to engage in healthy and positive behavior as well as to help the youth build and discover creativity in the arts “Club programs help develop fitness, a positive use of leisure time, reduction of stress, appreciation for the environment and social and interpersonal skills.” (bgca.org)
... Reestablishing community goals and encouraging youths to engage in extracurricular activities will greatly improve outlooks on life and help them make the right choices for a better tomorrow.
The civil right leader, Coretta Scot King, Once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” A thriving community has pushed for transparency in its local government. For example, sports have an impact on communities that have both solidified communities and destroyed at least one. The videos for this week topic such as Wild in the Streets, Irish Hurling, and both LA Dodgers’ has created an open government that can treat people alike by proving them with both positive and negative benefits. Sports builds communities and sometimes tears them down.
The Salvation Army is well known around the world as a charity to help people living in poverty. Less known about The Salvation Army is that its original purpose was to become a form of religion. William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army did not want the purpose of The Salvation Army to stray too far from the idea that all people are free to worship Christ. It was because Booth believed that the most efficient way to reach people living in poverty was to offer them food, clothing, and shelter while preaching to them. Booth was a very religious person from a very young age, more so after his family had lost their money and William had to work to get money for his family. Booth's understanding of life in poverty and his love for God would reflect in his life after he became a preacher. Soon after Booth had gotten his first full time preaching job, he met the love of his life and his partner in creating a faith, Catherine Mumford, who was also a very religious individual. He would also meet George S. Railton, who believed that God was more important than any worldly possessions. Railton would later become Booth's first lieutenant and a huge factor in the way the Salvation Army was run during the first years. --- William Booth believed that every person deserved to know Jesus regardless of their social class and that he should save everyone from Atheism.
For the last few years, I’ve been involved in Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scouts is very important to me, and has been a huge influence for good on me. Scouting teaches its participance various skills, values, and morals. Some of the knowledge I’ve gained is mostly only useful while camping, but most if it is very use full in everyday life.
As a native of Lancaster, I feel an obligation to act and do something that will benefit my community. I am well aware of the many perils that youth face, and these obstacles can be extremely difficult to overcome without positive figures to aid and provide guidance. There is a great need for an intensive mentoring program within the community to positively influence the lives of youth. For The Land of Dreams, I have proposed to host a community basketball tournament to raise funds to implement a mentoring program to assist in the personal growth and career development of youth in Lancaster County and surrounding areas. The program will form partnerships with local school districts and the juvenile court system. This event will aid Lancaster County by providing additional discretionary resources that will be used to fund such activities as tutoring programs, leadership courses, and college tours.
People often fail to see the life-changing role sports can play for at-risk youth in low-income urban neighborhoods and the need for more sports-based youth programs to reduce crime and increase high school graduation rates in our cities. An article written about a year ago about “Royals, local government team up to open a youth urban baseball academy at 18th and vine,” The Kansas City Mayor calls it a dream and others called it a fairytale. Projects like this don’t come very often, or at least not nearly as often as we’d all like. They are calling it the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy. The possibilities are incredible. On the surface, they will be teaching baseball to kids from 6 to 18 years old, but really, they want to be doing much more than that. The only way communities can progress and build infrastructures like this one in areas that are termed as gang infested areas like this one is by spreading the message of love in community related events such as
The purpose of the article is to simply inform about a middle school’s service learning project and its effectiveness.
Witt, Peter A. and Joni E. Baker. “Making A R.E.A.L. Difference,” Parks and Recreation. Mar 1999. General Reference Center Gold. Jan 2007
"Does Participation in Sports Keep Teens Out of Trouble?" ModernMom.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
Rizzolo, Allison. "PUBLICAGENDA.ORG - Survey: Sports, Arts, Clubs, Volunteering -- Out-of-School Activities Play Crucial, Positive Role for Kids." Survey: Sports, Arts, Clubs, Volunteering -- Out-of-School Activities Play Crucial, Positive Role for Kids. Public Agenda, 16 Nov. 2004. Web. 5 Mar. 2014
The study of leisure and recreation exist to improve the quality of people’s lives. Leisure is a key part of our lives. When we involve ourselves in leisure activities that satisfies us. We improve in creativity and self-control through these activities. We also get the sense of freedom, achievement and confidence. Leisure gives us the opportunity to enjoy new experiences and develop new skills. In the field of study of leisure and recreation, it focuses on the variety of recreational activities. Those activities that are involved in leisure tend to be rewarding to one’s health and the community. Leisure activities are chosen by every individual, the activities can be done where people feel more comfortable with people you enjoy surrounding
Larson, Reed, and Sean Seepersad. “Adolescents’ Leisure Time in The United States: Partying, Sports, And the American Experiment.” New Directions for Child & Adolescent Development 2003.99 (2003): 53-64. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Nov. 2011.