NEWS
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana Leadership Team
Recently Graduated from BGCA's Advanced Leadership Program
The Advanced Leadership Program aims to
drive improvement in leadership and
performance at many levels over a five-six
month period. First, individuals are
exposed to best practices and leading
thinkers to improve their personal
leadership capability. The leadership team from each organization attends sessions together, learn tools, and are facilitated to improve their alignment and effectiveness.
Also, in this process, a key target is the local organization. Each Boys & Girls Club system is assessed and analyzed for improvement opportunities in driving outcomes, resource development, and board effectiveness.
Johnny DiBartolo, CPO/President; Sharon Bourgeois, VP Development; Darrell Guy, Sr., Director of Special Projects; and Thomas Falgout, VP Operations; made up the team from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana.
October 22nd Clubs to hold Lights On After-School!
On October 22, 2009, thousands of afterschool programs in communities nationwide will celebrate Lights On Afterschool! Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana will be a part of this effort in showcasing the importance of afterschool programs and underscore the need for quality afterschool programs for all children.
The 10th annual nationwide celebration of afterschool programs will take place October 22, 2009 in more than 7,500 communities. BGCSELA will join the 1million Americans who take part in Lights On Afterschool to help call attention to the afterschool programs that keep our kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.
NFL Hometown Huddle- NFL YET Club -October 13th
The NFL and United Way’s Hometown Huddle is a
collection of hands-on volunteer projects
implemented simultaneously on a single Tuesday
in October in different NFL cities across the
country. This year the New Orleans Saints
Hometown Huddle project will take place at the NFL-YET
Boys & Girls Clubs located at 1140 S. Broad.
Westbank Club and NFL YET Club to Hold Open House
The Westbank Club at 900 10th Street in Gretna will
hold an open house
on Thursday, September 24th,
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. The NFL
YET Club at 1140 S. Broad Street
in New Orleans will hold its open house on Thursday, October 8th, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. These open houses are a great opportunity to see first-hand the impact the Clubs are making on the lives of our members.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana Now on Facebook
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana now has a facebook page. Anyone with a facebook account can also keep up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana by adding our page and becoming a fan of our organization. Stay tuned to facebook to get all the latest updates on our organization.
Time To Reconnect With Our Kids - Celebrate Day for Kids
Saturday, September 12th
We’re all busy. As many parents
struggle with their careers, face
budgetary crisis, and even care
for their own aging parents – they
run short on time and lose touch
with their kids. This despite all
the e- and i- gadgets that are
supposed to keep us
connected.
That’s one reason the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast
Louisiana, is joining more than 1,500 Clubs across the country in celebrating Boys & Girls Clubs Day For Kids on Saturday, September 12th. It’s a time for us all – parents, grandparents, mentors and other caregivers – to take time and reconnect with the kids in our lives.
Why is a celebration like Day For Kids so important? It’s simple. Kids need the adults in their lives to be present and engaged. As they grow up, they need our help to discover their talents, form healthy habits and resist negative peer pressure. By spending meaningful time with them, we help young people develop a positive self-image, a sense of belonging and purpose. And by dedicating a whole day to celebrating America’s youth, we let them know just how important they are.
Of course, we believe every day should be a day for kids. Our organization works with parents, schools and other community groups all year to show the children we serve that they are cared for. Boys & Girls Club programs are designed to help young people achieve more academic success, develop healthy lifestyles and build good character.
You may wonder if an afternoon spent with a young person can really make a difference in that child’s life. Well, after years of working in the youth development profession, I believe that it can, and it does. Every day we spend engaged with the children in our lives sends the message that we care and that they matter. Let’s have a new beginning on September 12, with Day For Kids.
New Orleans Area Teen Competes for Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Southeast Region Youth of the Year Title and Scholarship
Eric Couto from Gretna, the 2009-10 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Youth of the Year for the state of Louisiana, was among 10 teens competing to represent BGCA’s Southeast Region in the Youth of the Year regional competition. Couto vied for this honor with teens representing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Though Couto was not selected to represent BGCA’s Southeast Region at the national competition in September, he remained positive and reflective, saying, “I had a rewarding experience, interacting with other youth leaders from throughout our region. I now look forward to helping others understand the impact a Club can make as it did in my life.”
At the Westbank Unit of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, Couto has mentored younger members with homework assistance, sports and games, along with other vital programs. He leads the Keystone Club, writes motivational poetry, and participates in local plays in his community and Club.
An active leader at West Jefferson High School, Couto participates in Junior Council Youth Leader (JCYL), a program selecting 30 students in Jefferson Parish who want to develop assets and skills to further their leadership traits. He has also become known as the “homework help hotline” and helps his classmates with their schoolwork. Leader, Mentor and Role Model aptly describe Couto.
Combining his love for poetry and desire to become a lawyer, he is on the path to a positive future as he seeks peace and success. “My most prized possession is my future, “says Couto about pursuing his life goals.
“We are extremely proud of Eric,” said Johnny DiBartolo, Chief Professional Officer and President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana. We have observed him stay dedicated to his family, community and the Club while excelling academically, in spite of personal challenges and obstacles.”
NFL-YET Boys & Girls Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana Host NFL-YET Director's Conference
Directors from all the NFL-YET Centers throughout the
country attended a two day conference here in New
Orleans at the NFL-YET Boys & Girls Club. A NFL-YET is a
partnership with the NFL and The Boys & Girls Club. The
Youth Education Town (YET) are located in cities when the
NFL conducts the Super Bowl in that city. NFL-YET
Directors discussed topics on how to improve their
programs, marketing the NFL-YET brand in the community
as well as how to build relationships with the local NFL team in their communities.
Westbank Unit of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana Receives Grant of $6,000 from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and AT&T to Conduct
Teens at the Westbank Club will participate in a
summer Jr. Staff Program learning skill-building in
Career Development, Customer Service, Community
Service and Apprenticeship. Teen members ages 13-
18 in the Jr. Staff program will also assist Club staff
with programing and trips for the summer program at
the Club. Maylan Gibson, a member of the Westbank Jr. Staff program will serve as in an apprenticeship role with the local AT&T store in New Orleans as part of the program.
PeyBack Foundation Supports Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana with a Transportation Grant of $10,000 for Afterschool Transportation
The NFL-YET and Iberville Units of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana will be providing some transportation to the Clubs for their afterschool program through a $10,000 grant from the Peyback Foundation.
“I am thankful and proud each year that the PeyBack Foundation is able to assist a large variety of youth related agencies”, said Peyton Manning, PeyBack Foundation President. For more information on the afterschool transportation to the NFL-YET or Iberville Clubs contact either Club.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana Receives Grant from United Way & Wallace Foundation for Summer Camp Program
The NFL-YET Boys & Girls Club, Iberville Boys & Girls Club and Westbank Boys & Girls Club received $27,000 from the United Way of GNO and the Wallace Foundation to assist with the Summer Camps at the three Clubs. Over 350 youth are participating in the summer camp in the three Clubs.
One of the programs funded through this grant is the Clubs Health & Fitness program Triple Play for the Mind, Body and Soul. This program teaches club members the importance of good nutrition and daily fitness.
Boys & Girls Clubs Hosted a Signature Event of Steak & Burger Dinner
For “a stake” in a child’s Life at New Orleans Marriott
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast LA
hosted their signature fundraising event
on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Marriott Hotel at 555 Canal Street in
downtown New Orleans. Guests and
patrons enjoyed a delicious dinner while
sharing the table and conversation with members from the six Unit Clubs that make up the organization.
Lt. General Russel L. Honore (Retired) of Atlanta, Georgia, was the featured guest speaker for the evening and Sally- Ann Roberts, local anchorwoman for WWL-TV, introduced him to the gathering and gave encouraging words to all the children in the audience. The emcee for the evening was Eric Couto, Club member from the Westbank Unit and the recently named and honored Youth of the Year for the state of Louisiana by Boys & Girls Clubs of America in a competition held in Baton Rouge in early March.
Sponsorship levels were available
to corporations, businesses and
individuals as well as table sales
and individual tickets. Major
Sponsors were $5,000 each for
Steak & Burger. The Major
Sponsors were Cox Communication,
Dr. Adrian Talbot, Cycle Construction
and one anonymous donor. There
were also several Kids Sponsors at $2,500. The monies raised during this event will stay in the respective community of the local Unit and will directly impact the youth in the Clubs.
Eric Couto, Westbank Unit Club Member Chosen
Louisiana Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs
Eric Couto, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs
of Southeast Louisiana’s Westbank Unit
has been named the Youth of the Year for
the state of Louisiana by Boys & Girls
Clubs of America (BGCA). In addition to
winning this prestigious title, Couto will
also receive a $1,000 scholarship from the
Reader’s Digest Foundation and $1,000
from the Louisiana Area Council of Boys &
Girls Clubs. He is among hundreds of
Youth of the Year winners across the
country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs
of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana Selects Eric Couto
as Youth of the Year
Eric Couto, a 17 year old senior at West Jefferson High School and a member of the Westbank Club was recently selected Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana. Couto will now compete at the State Level against other Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Louisiana for the title of Louisiana Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year.
Covington Unit Wins Both Boys & Girls Division of the Jr.NBA/Jr.WNBA League held at the Westbank Unit
The Covington Unit won both the Boys &
Girls Division of the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Southeast Louisiana's Jr.NBA/Jr.WNBA
developed a inter-club basketball league
for both girls and boys. The Houma Unit
and the
Westbank Unit
placed second in the girls and boys division respectively. Support from Gatorade and the NBA made it possible to purchase uniforms, transportation to and from the games, officials, score keepers and staff cost to conduct the league.
Slidell Club Members Attend Presidential Inauguration
Events in Washington D.C.
As part of their on going commitment to bring
people of good will together to help the
underserved, the Stafford Foundation (through
the People's Inaugural Project) provided
funding for some 40 Boys & Girls Club members
across the country to attend the historic
inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Six youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana were chosen to 
participate in events surrounding the inauguration and to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. These six Club members are Torch Club members that were chosen by Club staff for their outstanding commitment to serve their Club and community, and for their demonstrable leadership skills.
Cox Charities Awards Technology Grant to Boys & Girls Clubs
Cox Charities recently awarded Boys & Girls Clubs of
Southeast Louisiana a $5,000 grant for the Club's
Technology program at the Iberville & NFL-YET Clubs.
Peja Foundation Builds Basketball Court at Iberville Club
Peja Stojakovic recently
dedicated the newly built
basketball court at the
Boys & Girls Clubs of
Southeast Louisiana's
Iberville Unit. Club members not have a court to call their own for daily use while attending the Club located in the Iberville Housing Development.
Gatorade and the NBA Supports Club Basketball League
The Boys & Girls Clubs of
Southeast Louisiana with the
support of Gatorade and
the NBA developed a inter-
club basketball league for
both girls and boys. All six Clubs have a team in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA league. Support made it possible to purchase uniforms, transportation, officials, score keepers and staff cost to conduct the league. The league was kicked off with a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA coaches and players clinic sponsored by Gatorade.
Elizabeth City State University Grants BGCSELA $25,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana
recently was awarded a grant for building
repairs and equipment. The $25,000
grant from Elizabeth City State University
will assist the Club making necessary
repairs to our facilities as well as
purchasing program equipment like game
tables, audio-video equipment and other programming equipment.
Sony Playstaton donates Playstation II and Playstation III to Clubs
As part of the rebuilding efforts from Hurricane
Katrina, Sony Playstation donated a Playstation
II to all 6 Units of the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Southeast Louisiana. Also two Playstation III
games along with many Playstation games
were also donated by Sony.
JCPenney Continues to Partner with Boys & Girls Clubs
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana partners with local JCPenney stores in Metairie and Covington to support Club after school programs. JCPenney held a round-up campaign asking their customers to round up their bills to the nearest dollar to raise funds for Boys & Girls Clubs. Also the two stores sold coupons for $5 for their customers to receive 20% off their purchase on a particular day with the proceed from the sale of the coupons benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana.
Boys & Girls Clubs Participates in Camp Old Navy
Club members from the NFL-YET and
Covington Clubs participated in Camp Old
Navy. Teen members participating in the
program were introduced to the world of
retail by job shadowing Old Navy
Associates. Old Navy conducts Camp Old
Navy annually with Boys & Girls Clubs as a
partner.
NFL-YET Club Receives $5,000 Grant from Boys & Girls Clubs
of America and MetLife Foundationfor Teen Outreach
As part of its commitment to helping young people reach their full potential, MetLife Foundation has awarded Boys & Girls Clubs
of Southeast Louisiana a $5,000 grant through the Teen Growth and Enhancement Initiative.
This national program is designed to explore and test the effectiveness of strategies to attract teens, while providing them with safe, fun, positive experiences and role models in more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
When young people enter their teen years, they have more options for how they spend their time after school. Therefore, it becomes significantly difficult for youth development agencies to recruit new members from the 13- and older age group. Unlike younger children, teens often make their own decisions about after-school activities and do not always see Boys & Girls Clubs as relevant to their maturing lifestyle.
NFL-YET Club Received Grant for Boys & Girls Clubs of America & the Office of Justice Prevention Programs
Boys & Girls Clubs of
America award a grant
to the NFL YET Club for
crime prevention. As
part of the grant the
club worked with local
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives to develop a plan to combat crime and other issues surrounding the Club's neighborhood.
Aaron Brown Selected 2007-08 LA Youth of the Year
Aaron Brown was selected Boys & Girls Club’s Louisiana Youth of the Year. With this honor Aaron also received two $1,000 scholarships from the Louisiana Area Council and the Reader’s Digest Foundation. Aaron is a member of the Hammond Club.
Michael Jordan and Jordan Brands Donates $500,000
Michael Jordan visited the Slidell Unit to make a donation towards building a gymnasium at the Slidell Unit. It was also Mr. Jordan’s birthday and Club members made him a banner wishing him a happy birthday.
Westbank Club Members Celebrate
Surprise Birthday Party for NBA Player Greg Oden
Greg Oden with the Portland Trail Blazers 
stopped by the
Westbank Unit
recently and
was surprised
with a birthday
party with some of the Boys & Girls Club members.
Spalding Conducts Basketball Clinic on Newly Refurbished Gym Floor
The NBA refurbished the gym floor at the Westbank Unit by varnishing and putting a new logos on the floor. Also during NBA All-Star Week, Spalding held a couple of Basketball Clinics for Club members. Members were also treated to their own basketball from Spalding.
University of Notre Dame Alumni Group Volunteers at the NFL-YET Club
Alumni from the University of Notre Dame volunteered at the NFL-YET Club to clean up some flower beds and refurbish the baseball fields.
New Club Unit Opened in Iberville Housing Development
The newest of seven Clubs opened in the Iberville Housing Development, the Iberville Unit. BGCSELA was able to receive seed monies from a BGCA/OJP grant of $125,000.
Professional Football Player Robert Royal Conducts Football Clinic
at NFL-YET Club
Robert Royal held the 2nd Annual Robert Royal Football Clinic for NFL-YET and Iberville Club members on the grounds of the NFL-YET Club. Club members received training and guidance from Robert Royal and other NFL players.
New Orleans Saints Players Visit Iberville Club
New Orleans Saints Players– Mike McKenzie, Marvin Mitchell and Ronnie Ghent visited the Iberville Unit to spend time with Club members. Members were treated to autographs and special messages from the players to stay focused and to stay in school.
Sprite Donates $50,000 to BGCSELA to hold Family Dinners
Sprite donated $50,000 to BGCSELA
during the NBA Slam Dunk Competition to
conduct three Family Dinners with Club
members and their families. The first dinner
was held at the Westbank Unit along with
Sprite, NBA Super Star LeBron James and
Winn Dixie lending a helping hand.