Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s South Haven Club Empowering Teens in 2016

Boys-Girls-Club/Boys-and-Girls-Clubs-of-Porter-Countys-South-Haven-Club-Empowering-Teens-in-2016As part of a national Movement, Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States aim to empower kids and teens by demonstrating that youth voices can be heard, and to encourage Club teens to step forward as the next generation of leaders in communities across the country. Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s South Haven Club is no different. As part of building the character and leadership of youth members, the South Haven Club’s Torch Club Leadership group participated in a conference in Huntington, Indiana on April 15 through 16th.

Meeting with youth members from eight different Club organizations, South Haven Club’s Torch Club members participated in many break out sessions that focused on leadership qualities, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of Academic Success. The overnight, two-day conference also included a tour of Huntington University giving youth participants a glimpse into academic life after high school.

The highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Huntington’s Mayor. “I believe the one true take-a-way our Torch Club members gathered from this conference was when the Mayor told everyone to remember the acronym LSP Squared – meaning ‘Leaders Serve People, Leaders Solve Problems.’ This experience truly taught our Club members how working together serves a community ensuring the betterment for all,” states Kristen Baker, Torch Club’s advisor.

As part of the national focus on engaging Teens in after-school opportunities, Torch Club is a leadership group that:

  • Engages teens by giving them a voice in developing programs and resources to ensure they are relevant and reflective of their perspective and needs.
  • Develops a clear pathway to empower and inspire teens toward igniting their passions, increasing their access to higher education and developing workforce skills by leveraging community partnerships and leadership qualities.