The Club directors at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan treat members just like their own kids. They form close bonds and often mentor children from elementary school through their teens. As young adults, graduates often come back to say “thanks.”
Jeanette Kwiatkowski, Club director of the Fauver-Martin Club, made sure that the boys with an aptitude for college would be able to go. On one of her days off, she gathered together a group of teenage boys from the Club and drove out to Kalamazoo to show them Western Michigan University. For some, it was the first time they had seen a college.
One of the boys, Chris Myles, was amazed by what he saw and experienced during that visit. Chris got a scholarship based on a little-known program for foster children. His leadership role at the Club helped the cause: he spent 950 hours working at the Club, was active in the Club service program, and was named the Club’s Youth of the Year for 2008.The Club service program will supplement his final aid package at Western. A graduate of Mumford High School, Chris is thrilled with this opportunity to get a college degree and be able to live on campus with his peers. (Click here for Chris’ story.)
Jeanette has been involved with the Clubs for 32 years, since age 9 when she was a member of the Bloomer Club in Detroit. Despite her easy-going nature, she exhibits tough love to keep her kids on track and headed toward a bright future.
