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Testimonials
If you have a story to share please email johanna@kboysandgirlsclub.com
| Club Members |
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"The Boys and GIrls Club is an after school program it goes from 3:00-5:00 pm then 6:00-8:00 pm on week days, on weekends 9:00-12:00 noon & 1:00-4:00 pm. At the club you can make awesome friends like Connor, Dustin, Jen, Brandon, Sam, Emily. You will have so much fun! There is a games room, computer room, swimming pool, gym. In the games room these is sherk air hockey, skate boarding in the gym you can play bball, foodball, hockey, in the computer room almost nothing is blocked, swimming pools is only opened 90 minutes a day. If you are 13-20 you can go to Boys and Girls Club from 8:00-10:00 pm. You can get free Ticat tickets and Bulldog games. In the lobby they do games from 3:00-4:00 pm."
Blake |
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"Boys and Girls Club is a good place here I make lots of good friends. And when I’m sad this is a place for me when I come here I have fun. The staff is the best part about it they are nice to you. I have my ups and downs but this is where I belong where I’m safe and get good opportunities. Boys and Girls Club is the place for me. I like to play, chill, swim and help others."
Michaela
I love coming to the club because of swimming.
I love coming to the club because the staff is people I love to surround myself with the best staff in the world.
I love coming to the club because it makes it feel like home I see friend family and love being a good person to others and friends and family.
Selina |
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“I like going to Boys and Girls Club because I get to hang out with my friends and my favorite staff here. These are some thing I do there swimming, hip hop and gymnastics. There are lots of things to do here like the craft room, computer room, a pool, a gym and games room. I love it there at Boys and Girls Club."
Emilie |
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| Families |
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“My family as a whole has been coming to the Boys and Girls Club for over 40 years we are 3rd generation. We have been involved in every program including but not all, swimming cooking knitting babysitting hockey after school program day camp and art just to name a few. The reason why we continue to come and will come is because it is family not just a club. Sam, Johanna, Petra last but not least Glen have been a fixture in the club for years and we know coming in the club they always are friendly understanding and you know that they care. I know I can bring my children and know it is a safe environment, it is such a good feeling that there is a safe fun environment that as a parent that we don’t have to worry. I know today’s economy don’t allow for a lot of "free" money to spend on extra programs for our children and knowing Boys and Girls Club is there, with there amazing program options really makes it easier. I have heard stories from my father playing hockey to my Aunt working their as a camp councilor to my husband going to swimming lessons and day camp, it is such a wonderful feeling that myself and my husband can continue the tradition. My oldest child has had the chance to go to Tim Horton’s Camp and Camp Maple leaf. I know that without Boys and Girls Club I know myself I may not have been able to provide her with the amazing opportunity, that she will forever had the memories. I know that everyone of my three children will become amazing self reliant and with high confidence in part to Boys and Girls Club staff and the memories that Boys and Girls Club have provided. I am and will forever be grateful for the staff and club has given to our 3 generations. Thank you thank you thank you”
Mandie Woodruff, mother
“I love going to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton because…
It is a fun place to meet new people and try new tings.
I also enjoy going there because there are fun activities to do after school and on weekends from Monday – Saturday.
ex. Art Attack, cooking, cheerleading, swim lessons, and more.
But here are some programs that ar free and you can drop in whenever you want with in the hours of the club.
Ex. Games room, craft room, special events, computer room, and more.
For any further information contact Petra at the front desk”
Chanell Bastarache, daugther |
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Swimming Testimonials - Fall 2011
"I’ve already had two older children complete lessons right through Bronze Cross, and the youngest is enthusiastically participating at swimmer 1. Your instructors have consistently been well trained, kind to the children and enthusiastic." Lynne Woods
"We have four daughters that have been able to enjoy the rewards of participating in swimming lessons. The instructors have a true passion to teach children how to swim and not be afraid of the water. Our daughters have developed great skills and self confidence and ability in the water a long with safety." Jen Hamilton
"Every week my four year old son looks forward to swim class and anytime I say let’s go to Kiwanis his eyes light up. Thanks for all the opportunities. Our family is always interested in health and wellness so anything in that department is great. " Theresa Carlos
"Excellent programs, excellent staff, multiple choices for swim times, works with our work schedules. Laughlin looks forward to attending the swim programs. The class sizes are perfect; she gets one on one time with the instructors. Her grandparents enjoy the one day a semester where they can join her in the pool." Sahra Muldoon
"Both of my children have learned how to swim here and love to continue to learn. I can not wait for my youngest to begin lessons." Aimee Davis
"I am very happy with the swim lessons here. My two boys have been coming for 3 sessions now and the schedule has worked great for us having one in and the other following. The instructors are fantastic!" Sandra Harrington
"Hayden’s confidence has soared since being registered here at Kiwanis. He struggled when he was registered at Churchill Rec Centre. The staff here has made such an impact on his confidence & willingness to learn and achieve. Thank you so much!" Tamara Wade
"Our two boys love their lessons and look forward to them each week. Staff are great! Thanks. We really love family swim day. It was nice to see the kids up close and be part of the lessons." Greg Wynn
"I had my lessons here and my daughter is doing her’s here 20 years later." Cassandra Angus |
| Staff and Volunteers |
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"I came to Boys and Girls Club through the Recreation and Leisure Program at Mohawk College as a 19 year old teenager who was angry at the world. I had lost my father suddenly, and my scholarship to injury. I had no idea where life was now going to take me until I found the The Boys and Girls Club. Even as a staff member I was able to find my way and now 6 years later I can still say that this is the BEST PLACE ON EARTH. I was able to surround myself with people who truly care and wanted nothing but the best for me and to help me succeed. I thank God every day I am here and cannot thank the children, staff, volunteers of this organization enough for keeping me on the right path and away from the world’s dangers."
Jesse Williamson
Active Living Coordinator |
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"When I started here four years ago, I was nervous, excited and wanted to be a part of something that was important to me. The families that come here at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton always asks how long have I been here, I answer four years and I just can't leave! There's some laughter and smiles when interacting with the families and staff members. I realize how important I feel, how i'm treated and what the club does for me, it's feels like my other home! I'm so grateful, appreciated and just can't thank you as much as I want too. It's unbelievable how the people that come through this organization changes your life to a place where you will never forget and always remeber. I care so much of each and every person, I try to make sure the people that step into this facility makes sure that their experience is as great as I have experienced it. My heart beats fast, I blush when someone says something positive or asks how my day was, I get teared up thinking about all the memorable moments that I have gone through and accomplished so much here. I've had incrediable mentors guiding me to achieve anything in the world, I didn't even think at age 17 to 21 I would grow, become a role model to others and become a young successful adult. This place is very important to me, I can't let go and it is a magical place to be a part of."
Katie Cooper
Aquatic & Let's Get Moving Staff |
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"My name is Kim West-Acernese and I work at Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton in the Aquatics Department as a Lead Lifeguard. I have been working at the Club since 2009, when I re-certified my qualifications after taking a 20 year break away from aquatics. As the most mature member of our Lifeguard Family, I have earned the nickname “Mama K”.
I find that I do, indeed, act as the Mom to the young people I encounter at BGC, whether it is my fellow lifeguards, other staff or our membership. I am the repairman, the cleaner-upper, the bossy shepherd, the cheerleader, the dryer of tears, the finder of lost articles, fixer of booboos and settler of disagreements. Oh, I can also teach you to swim and save your life, too, but sometimes I think these duties are secondary to the real connections we make with our members. I have found my niche in life where I can utilize my unusual skill set. As well, I often find that I act as a mentor, leading mostly by example but sometimes with a direct conversation about the choices we make. To my own benefit, I am surrounded by a wonderful, spirited energy which feeds my young-at-heart view of life and allows me to express my fun-loving side.
I am not just the figurehead Mother at Boys and Girls Clubs. I have two children of my own who participate in Club programming. My kids have enjoyed many of the activities that BGC offers: Auto Mechanics, swimming, Babysitting Course, Summer Camp and gymnastics to name just a few. All of these programs are delivered by our dedicated team professionally and at low cost to all our membership. As a single parent, I very much appreciate what my children gain and that I can afford to give them this while living on a budget.
Working at Boys and Girls Clubs means a great deal to me. I am not just an employee number working in a vast corporate machine. I am part of a team, part of a family, part of my community that I love so much. There are days when I leave work totally exhausted, pushed to a limit I did not know existed. There are also days when I leave exhilarated, delighted in pushing past those limits. Most days I just leave with a smile on my face, knowing that I did a good job and that this small piece of myself that I gave fits into a very big puzzle. We are all working together to improve the lives of our young membership. It’s what we do and it makes a difference. I know this because I am not just Mama K, I am Mom and I see the value in what we do from both sides."
Kim West-Acernese
Aquatic Staff and Mother |
If you have a story to share please email johanna@kboysandgirlsclub.com
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