News & Events

Thomas B. Ciancetta resigns as executive director 3-1-10 Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady president Betty Kay Cullen announced the resignation of Tom Ciancetta long-time executive director today. Cullen commented, “Tom has served as a true leader for youth development services, not only locally but nationally for over 36 years. His performance in serving the children of this area as our Executive Director for 24 of those years has been outstanding. He has taken the organization from 3 clubhouses and a summer camp to one currently consisting of 7 Clubhouse locations, Jesse R. Lovejoy summer day camp, three school-based locations, a Job Junction Employment Program, and the PROMISES Mentoring program – all serving over 10,000 children in 2009.”

Ciancetta will be starting a new position as Regional Services Director with B&GC of America of the northeast region. Schenectady and the Capital Region will be included in his new assignment beginning March 26 along with Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts. “My position as executive director could not have been possible without the enthusiastic and committed support of board members and auxiliary in addition to the dedicated, hard-working, creative staff members who have played a major role in my professional achievements. Because of this support, the B&GC of Schenectady has become the most effective, sought-after and, what I believe, the most important youth development organization in Schenectady and Fulton Counties.”

In addition to his long list of local achievements, Ciancetta provides national training seminars in the areas of social recreation, program basics, program management, guidance and discipline in youth development areas on a national scale as a National Training Associate. He was named Executive of the Year for the Northeast Region in 2007. In 2008, in San Francisco, was named Master & Mentor the most prestigious.award from The Professional Association of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Board President Cullen further stated, “The Board Executive Committee has appointed Lisa Hunter, Director of Development & Finance of the B&GC of Schenectady, to carry on as Interim Director until a permanent Executive Director is chosen. A search committee, headed by Board Vice President William McCartan, is presently seeking candidates for filling the Executive Director position.”

Hunter has been on the staff of B&GC of Schenectady since 1992 beginning as a Program Director of Parenting & Family Services. During her 18 years service, she has held several positions: Coordinator for the Municipal Housing Authority; and Finance Manager & Director of Municipal Housing Authority Programs.

Cullen made it clear that “Tom will be missed. He has been an outstanding leader throughout the more than three decades of service to our B&GC community. However, the positive element of his decision to leave his Executive Director’s post: he will still be available to B&GC of Schenectady in his new position of Regional Services Director."

Rotterdam Clubhouse members join program director Julie McKane, Mall mamager Leiah Palmer and Rotterdam Club director John Vaccaro after their walk through the Mall.	BE GREAT WALK 2-28-10 The 2nd annual BE GREAT WALK was held at and sponsored by Rotterdam Square Mall, 99 Restaurant and supported by hundreds of Walkers and contributors who raised more than $8000 for programs and services at their local Boys & Girls Club in Schenectady County. The BE GREAT WALK was so named because the Boys & Girls Clubs programs and services inspire children to BE GREAT.
DISNEY Give a Day Get a Day A SUCCESS 01-10-09 Today the Hands on Network announced that an astounding one million people are making an impact on their local communities by committing to volunteering through the Give A Day Get A Disney Day program. The goal of inspiring one million people to serve was reached quickly. Thank you for your tremendous spirit, dedication and passion for civic change, and for helping make this program such an overwhelming success. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady received support from more than 460 people during the program. Volunteers signed up to clean buildings, serve meals to children, repair building equipment, help with homework and more. "The volunteers have had a very positive impact on our organization," stated Jerrine Wyman, director of mentoring and volunteering services for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady. More than 2500 hours of service was contributed and some of the volunteer have stayed on and some are assisting with fund-raising events to support our programs for members.		l
DERBY DAYS AT UNION COLLEGE 11-23-09 Union College Sigma Chi Fraternity held Derby Days pitting three sororities against each other in on-campus battles of Karaoke, Trivia contests, Penny Wars and then held a Brothers Auction to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club. The Sigma Delta Tau, Delta Delta Delta and Gamma Phi Beta Sororities competed against each other for the honor of having one-half of the money raised, given in their name. DELTA DELTA DELTA Sorority was named the Derby Days winner for 2009. The real winners, however, were the members of the Craig Street Boys & Girls Club who are the beneficiaries of $3,163 raised in thie year's Derby Days at Union College. More than $1550 was given in the name of DELTA DELTA DELTA Sorority for their first place finish. The money will be used to support and fund Club programs for our members. THANK YOU UNION FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES.	Staff members Susan Unger left and Maria Nadler right were on hand Monday when Cam Berjoan, Sigma Chi Fraternity Philanthropic Chairman and Andrew Palermo treasurer presented a check for more than $3,100, raised through Derby Days, to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady Craig Street Clubhouse.

KEYSTONE MEMBERS MEET FOR ANNUAL MEETING IN WORCESTER, MASS. 11/20/09 Members of the teen Keystone Clubs at each of our Steinmetz Homes and Mont Pleasant Clubhouses met with 390 other Keystone members from the NE Region of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Members of the SPOTLIGHT Keystone Club at the Mont Pleasant Clubhouse and the BIG DREAMING Keystone Club of Steinmetz Homes Clubhouse are those who take volunteering seriously. Members give their time and talents to their Club and Community. Throughout the year Keystoners help with tutoring younger members. They also helped with refurbishing Wallingford Park as well as planning and preparing evening meals for younger members.

The Keystone conference, held annually, provides training to Keystone members in how to recruit teens to their Keystone Club, governance of their Club and fundraising opportunities. The five Keysoners and their advisors also toured Boston Harbor, visited a local radio station and a sporting venue to see the related jobs available to them as career opportunities.

Advisors and Keytoners were enthusiastic about returing and spreading word and postive experience to others.

Keystoner members and their advisors gather for a group photo before one of their training sessions.

Christine Love holding her sculpture "Converse Shoe" with mom, Tina (left), and Boys & Girls Clubs instructor Marie Marshall

NATIONAL WINNER ANNOUNCED 07-01-09 Christine Love of the Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club has been named a FIRST PLACE winner in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Fine Arts Contest. Christina's sculpture, "Converse Shoe," was chosen from more than 250 finalists vying for top honors in this year's national judging.

Club staff member and pottery instructor Marie Marshall stated, "Christine is a dedicated artist and a wonderful club member. She works very hard and is also willing to help in all aspects of the Club program. She assists with homework for younger members and is always willing to stay to help with the late care program as well. Our future is solid with kids like Christine."

Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Fine Arts Program is a comprehensive initiative promoting creativity in a variety of media as well as encouraging artistic skills and cultural enrichment. "Converse Shoe" will be on display as a photo in a Nationawide Tour which will end in New York City at the National Conference in May 2010.

FIRST PLACE honors come "regularly" to Marie Marshall's pottery students at the Rotterdam Clubhouse. Marie's son Ben won First Place honors two years ago.

The "CONVERSE SHOE" sculpture replicates the Chuck Taylors Converse sneakers worn by kids in the 60's. It is making a comeback and Christine says that it is her dad's favorite.

YOUTHS OF THE YEAR FROM ALL OVER NEW YORK

STATE GATHERED FOR A PICTURE WITH GOVERNOR
DAVID PATERSON IN THE GOVERNORS MANSION ON WEDNESDAY

YOUTHS OF THE YEAR FROM 36 N.Y.S. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS VISIT ALBANY 6-02-09 Teen Club members from 36 Boys & Girls Clubs, chosen as their Club's Youth of the Year, assembled in Albany beginning Sunday evening to meet other Boys & Girls Club members and begin several days of actvities to see our State's government in action. Teens hailed from Clubs in Buffalo to Rennselaer County and Ogdensburg to Long Island.

The teens gathered at the Albany Boys & Girls Club on Sunday evening to meet the other representatives in the annual Youth of the Year program sponsored, since 1947, by the Reader's Digest Foundation.
Monday and Tuesday were filled with tours of Albany, the Capitol Building, State Museum and other sites in our Capital City.

On Wednesday all gathered to visit with their area's assembly and senate members and had special visits with Senate Leader Malcolm Smith and NYS Governor David Paterson. Smith spoke to the teens about his college roommate who was a member of the Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club...........Denzel Washington.
Latashia Terry,(picture below and left with other teens and Gov. Paterson) Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady's Youth of the Year was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet other members and vowed to stay in touch with her new friends. The teens talked until the early morning hours and dined at Jillian's Tuesday evening where awards were presented by Regional Services Directors Mel Campos and David Ross.

YOUTH OF THE YEAR SELECTED 04-08-09 Youth of the Year selections have been made at Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States this month. More than 4300 Boys & Girls Clubs will have an interview and selection process to name their outstanding member. Latashia Terry a 12th grade student at Schenectady High School, and a member of the Schenectady High School Boys & Girls Club has been named Youth of the Year for 2008-09. Latashia will represent more than 3400 members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady at the New York State Youth of the Year competition in Albany this June.

A dual member of the Schenectady High School Club and Steinmetz Homes Boys & Girls Club for 4 years, Latashia will graduate in June and will attend Schenectady County Community College. She wants to study business administration and related computer science. Upon completing her 2 years at SCCC a transfer to Albany State is in her sights.

Latashia will attend the YOY competition in Albany to compete for the New York State title and hopefully the regional title later this summer. All Youth of the Year candidates have their sights set on the Oval Office. 5 Regional winners will ascend on the White House to meet the President of the United States in the Oval Office in the Fall of this year. We all wish Latashia much good fortune.

(Bottom Picture l - r )

Shaylaia Thomas of the Steinmetz Boys & Girls Club, Mont Pleasant Clubhouse member Rachael Williams, Michael Allen of the Rotterdam Clubhouse, Christopher Rodriquez of the Yates Village Clubhouse, and were all named Youth of the Year for their respective Club.

MALL WALK FOR KIDS 01-25-09 Friends, family, volunteers, staff, and many Club members turned out at Rotterdam Square to raise needed funds for the Boys & Girls Club. More than $13,000 was raised by WALKERS and those who decided to just watch the festivities. About 200 people either attend Rotterdam Square Mall event to support Club programs. Folks then gathered for music, face painting, recreational games and dancing to the Electric Slide and other catchy tunes to celebrate the project's success.

John Vaccaro, Rotterdam Club unit director and MALL WALK organizer was on hand to say thanks to Rotterdam Square for their sponsorship as he presented a plaque (bottom right) to Leah Palmer, Marketing Director of Rotterdam Square. John also thanked the many people gathered to raise funds for youth development programs. A special thanks was directed at 5 year old Cody (in mom's arms below) for raising more than $700 by himself. Mom said he loves the basketball program at the Club. (We think Cody should stick to fund-raising and skip baskeball)

ReCycle PROGRAM COMES TO CLUB MEMBERS 12-30-08 One need only stand by the front door of the Craig Street Clubhouse on a Tuesday afternoon to witness a youngster walk up along side their bicycle which has a flat tire, busted chain, or missing pedal—there is no question as to their destination. With smiling faces Club members head to the second floor bike workshop and eagerly await the volunteers to open the doors so they can get to work and repair their bikes. Invariably, hours later the same children can be seen pedaling home with a much bigger smile.

Fixing a flat, straightening a wheel, greasing the gears or making sure that the brakes work properly are all in a day's work at the Craig Street Clubhouse. Each week Plaine and Sons Ski, Snowboard and Bike Shop technicians are here to give hands on learning experiences and lessons in bike safety to member of the Club.

Plaine's technicians and Club members

learn and work together. Do you have a

bike to donate?

l-r Club member Walter looks on as ESPN sportscaster Tommy Sanders interviews Club member Parmanand as Paul Elias, Bassmaster Professional Angler listens in. The young anglers were able to spend the day with Paul on his professional bass boat. ( see next pic)	CLUB MEMBERS FISH WITH THE PROS 07-31-08 For several weeks Club members have been casting, learning to tie knots properly, learning the proper way to bait their hooks and of course catching fish in the HOFNOD program. Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs is a National Program offering kids an opportunity to for life-long enjoyment in the sport of fishing and reinforcement that fishing is a much better choice than drug use and abuse. More than 80 kids have been affected by our program which included, local instruction, a tournament in Schenectady's Vale Park, fishing on local lakes and rivers along with a day-long event on Saratoga Lake. The two young anglers pictured were chosen for their postive attitutude, good attendance, sportsmanship and voluntarism as young instructors which resulted in a trip to Lake Erie for the BASSMASTERS ELITE SERIES on July 31 to August 3. Club staffer Bill Allen and
Schenectady County Probation Officer Lynee Wilson, program coordinators, accompanied Walter and Parnanand to the Lake Erie Bassmasters Tournament where they competed with 36 other Club members from across the USA with professional anglers from the BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES. Our young anglers were the guests professional Paul Elias. Click here for a look at a Youtube video about the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54rpAY3l12s The program hopes to, not only teach children the sport of fishing but, involve them in a postitive relationship with local law enforcement personnel. Members were involved in instructing younger members, learning that patience is truly a virtue when it comes to the sport of fishing. The local program is sponsored by the Schenectady County Probation Department, Schenectady Weed & Seed and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady with a grant from the Office of Justice Programs and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.	Pictured above are Club members with Paul Elias leaving for the day of tournament fishing on Lake Erie. The local program was sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, Schenectady County Probation & Schenectady Weed n' Seed.
l

Kelly Healy, Katy Ellen Mayer, Adrienne Pagerey,
Julie McKane, Kristen Kucij, Jerrine Wyman,
Marilyn Wyman, Lisa Hunter Front - Foster Kucij

Missing is Jallah Kucij (taking picture) and staffer Meghan
Craig who entered the RUN.

above - Staffer Lisa Hunter entered the RUN

to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady

FREIHOFER'S 30th ANNUAL RUN & 20th ANNUAL WALK 05-31-08 Thousands participated in the Annual Run/Walk sponsored by the Freihofer's Baking Company held in Albany on Saturday.

This unique community event enables hundreds of not-for profit organizations to raise money and awareness by being part of the largest running event in the Capital Region.

Staff members along with friends and family of Club staff teamed up to enter the RUN & WALK to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady programs.

BEN MARSHALL WINS TACO BELL TEEN HERO AWARD - 05-23-08 - While many young people are hooked on video games and hanging out at the local mall, Rotterdam Clubhouse member Ben Marshall is busy giving his time to his local Boys & Girls Club. Recently, Rotterdam Clubhouse program director, Julie McKane nominated Ben and several other teens for TACO BELL's annual honor. The award recognizes contributions made by everday "Teen Heroes" according to the TACO BELL Foundation. With the recognition Ben's has an opportunity to contribute $5,000, from the TACO BELL Foundation, to his favorite charity the Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club.

CHERYL BURKE--PROFESSIONAL DANCER AND TWO-TIME WINNER ON "DANCING WITH THE STARS"--TALKS ABOUT THE AWARDS... "I'M SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE 'TACO BELL FOUNDATION TEEN HERO AWARDS'. TEENS HAVE SO MUCH TO GIVE--AND VOLUNTEERING IS SUCH A GREAT OUTLET FOR THEIR TIME AND TALENTS. THIS PROGRAM IS A WAY FOR ALL OF US TO SAY 'THANK YOU' TO THE TEENS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY."

Tom Ciancetta, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady states, "Ben is quite an outstanding Club member. I was also thrilled to see his artistic talents recognized at the National Conference of Boys & Girls Clubs of America in SanFrancisco (Scroll down to see an earlier story about BEN) where an image of his FIRST PLACE ceramic free form sculpture TROGDOR was displayed with other the winners of the National Fine Arts contest. It is wonderful to have Ben as a member and see him excel in so many areas. He is a great example to all of our Club members."

Barbara Stricker, previous Master & Mentor inductee recognizes Tom at the National Conference

CIANCETTA HONORED AS MASTER & MENTOR - 05-08-08 Tom Ciancetta, executive director, was inducted into the Masters & Mentors Level by the Academy of Boys & Girls Clubs professionals by the National Advisory Council, the highest honor that can be awarded to a Boys & Girls Club professional. Masters & Mentors are accepted based on: Sustained contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement, Successful mentoring of Academy members and Demonstrated excellence in the Boys & Girls Clubs profession. Tom was recognized for: his work as a National Training Associate since 1982, delivering trainings to thousands of professionals; his contribution to publications such as the Back Pocket Program Hints and; his support of local program partnerships that have served thousand of children and have been sustained for many years most notably with our local Municipal Housing Authority. During his acceptance at the National Conference in San Francisco, Tom stressed what has always been a main point of his training, "...that you, the Club staff, may just be the most important person in the life of a Club member. Keep our members safe and have fun."

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE SUPPORTS KIDS IN THE KITCHEN 03-31-08 For another year Schenectady's Junior League has sponsored the Annual Kids in the Kitchen program at the Mont Pleasant Boys & Girls Club. Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady members from Clubs all over the County gathered Monday evening to particpate in activites that would inspire them to adopt good eating habits, fun exercise activities in their lives while picking up some new basketball skills and learning how to prepare a nutritious snack. Under the watchful guidance of Glen Sanders Mansion Chefs members constructed fruit kabobs and nutritious quesadillas that they were able to enjoy. "I didn't think that I could make one of these myself" stated one member as she tasted her final product.

Club members learn how to assemble their Fruti Kabobs from a chef from Glen Sanders Mansion

Staff member Meghan Craig leads members in an exercise routine and a Union College basketball team member gives one of our members an assist in scoring a basket.

Union College basketball team members and their coaches were on hand to help with skills on the court, while Clubs staffers Meghan Craig led members in exercise routines and Ian Spencer led a quiz in health and nutrition that was fun and informative.

PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHENECTADY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT LAUNCHES MENTORING PROGRAM 01-20-08 Do you have time for a child in need? January marks the start of the sixth annual National Mentoring Month and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, in partnership with Schenectady City Schools is pleased to announce the launch of their new PROMISES School-based Mentoring Program. PROMISES School-Based Mentoring aims to match caring, motivated adults from our community with at risk children in grades four through eight.

One of the greatest challenges to the success of the PROMISES program will be the recruitment and retention of mentors. However, there are many aspects of the PROMISES program which make it appealing to volunteers. There is flexibility as the mentors are asked to commit a mere one hour each week and the mentor/youth match can meet at the child's school, one of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady sites, or a variety of other pre-arranged events. Mentors also receive considerable training and support throughout the duration of the match, including many ideas and materials for activities, games, and arts & crafts projects as well as a comfortable and safe space for meeting.

"Many children in our community face barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential," notes Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady Executive Director Thomas Ciancetta. "They are often overlooked and end up falling victim to one of the many perils that are ever present in our society. With the decay of neighborhood and family support networks, at risk children frequently fall behind academically, or become involved with crime, drug use, sex or violence. Every child in our community deserves the opportunity to succeed. PROMISES offers children this opportunity by matching them with caring adults from our community."

Mentoring works! Research shows that mentoring has a positive effect on both the child involved and the mentor. Children who are mentored often experience an increase in academic achievement, are truant less, and participate in risk taking behavior, such as drug and alcohol use, less. Mentored children also have a more positive attitude toward learning, toward elders and helping in general, and have improved relationships with their parents.

If you would like to mentor a child in need, or know a child in need of mentoring please contact Ms. Jerrine Wyman at (518) 374-8822 or jwbgcs@gmail.com.

MARSHALL WINS FIRST PLACE FOR SCULPTURE IN NATIONAL FINE ARTS CONTEST 9-26-07

Ben Marshall, age 13 and a member of our Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club previously won the Northeast Regional contest of Boys & Girls Clubs of America Fine Arts Program for his pottery sculpture. "Trogdor," created in the pottery studio at the Clubhouse was judged locally and sent to the regional program where it place FIRST.

Ben's creation has now won FIRST on the National level. His sculpture will be exhibited at the 2008 Boys & Girls Clubs of America Conference in San Francisco from May 5 - 9. The conference will be attended by more than 4000 people.

Ben's creation competed against art work from Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the United States and on Boys & Girls Clubs located on Navy and AirForce bases and Army posts throughout the world. There are more than 4100 Boys & Girls Clubs.

The sculpture is one of many creations developed by Ben and many other members of the Rotterdam Clubhouse. Opportunities for children to learn the art of pottery are available at Rotterdam. Marie Marshall (Ben's mom) is our instructor and can be reached at the Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club 355-7440.

VERIZON SUPPORTS QUACKENBUSH PARK PROGRAM WITH 15K GRANT - 8-14-07 David Lemondola of Verizon made a presentation of $15,000 to support the Quackenbush Park program today. On hand for the presentation were 65 children who joined Mayor Brian Stratton. Mayor Stratton praised the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady for the positive programs for our children. Stratton introduced Tom Isabella of the board of directors, to accept the check. Isabella stated, "This program brings us back to the time when good park programs were available to our neighborhoods and our children. It is very exciting to see the success that we have had here this year and last year as well. Lemondola stated his praise for the program and said it was a great opportunity to support this program and Schenectady's children through Verizon's contribution.

PARTNER IN PROGRAM AWARDS PRESENTED AT ANNUAL MEETING 5-23-07 The Vincent C. Mastrofranciso Partner in Program Award was presented at the Annual meeting of the Boys & Girl Clubs of Schenectady on Wednesday morning. The Awards is presented to Awards were presented to Eric Ely, Schenectady Cty School District Superintendent, for the Schools part in serving children with Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady programs and services. Other P.I.P. Awards were presented to Shane Bargy of the Schenectady County Youth Bureau for the Bureau's long-term relationship that began in 1973, Fran Ricci of the Schenectady Job Training Agency for service that beganin 1976, to Steven Tommassone, Rotterdam Supervisor for the Town of Rotterdam's consitent support since 1949 and, Richard Homenick of the Schenectady Muncipal Housing Authority for the Authority's forsight in bringing Boys & Girls Clubs programs on site for the children who live in SMHA communities.