New Boys and Girl’s Club Celebrates “Day for Kids”

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – Carol Sweda is forever grateful to the Boys and Girls Club in her home City of Poughkeepsie.

After all, its recent six week summer camp program had a marked positive influence on her son Bradley. So much so, he couldn’t wait to return to the New Hope Community Center site to see his newly made friends last Thursday at the First Annual “Day for Kids” event, yet another piece of the Club that continues to put a huge smile on Sweda’s face.

“Today is amazing; I’m so glad the kids are here to experience it and see one another,” said Sweda as she made her way across the basketball court to eat her lunch at the Community Center. “By attending the summer camp here, I saw my son become even more responsible and mature.”

Bradley was one of several Boys and Girls members on hand enjoying a host of games and activities, vendor information, as well as free backpack and other upcoming school giveaways. The “end of the summer celebration,” was also targeted at getting youth excited about the pending school year as well as the incredible success of the new Poughkeepsie site’s summer program and highly anticipated, upcoming after-school one, slated for October.

With the organization already having had experienced tremendous success at their Newburgh location for over the past ten years, it was high time that a similar level of excitement and opportunity for youth come to another Hudson Valley locale, Poughkeepsie, in dire need of something so game-changing.

A pivotal player in that new Boys and Girl’s Club realization was Dutchess County Executive, Marcus Molinaro. A frequent visitor to the Poughkeepsie site Summer Camp Program, Molinaro was once again present at “Day for Kids.” Similar to Sweda, he was all smiles, thoroughly impressed by everything he was witnessing.

“Today is wonderful; I really wanted to be here, as I was so amazed by the number of people being impacted by what the Boys and Girls Club does,” said Molinaro, who further pointed to Dutchess County’s committed effort to fund the critical organization. “This Club empowers children and families, and it’s one we want to support more and more; the more families in a community can benefit from it, the better off we all are.”

Heather Hines, the Director of the Teen Programs at the Newburgh site also worked this summer at the Summer Camp of the new Poughkeepsie Boys and Girls Club. With  experiences at both locations, Hines is now convinced Poughkeepsie can flourish from the Clubs’ numerous benefits as much, if not more, that Newburgh already has.

“I always thought a program like this should come to Poughkeepsie for the academics, art and athletics it offers, building character and leadership; it’s also a place to learn about the importance of community service and a place of safety,” explained Hines. “I’m really looking forward with total confidence to see how it does here in Poughkeepsie.

By the looks of all the happy, smiling faces filling the New Hope Community Center Thursday, the future looks nothing but brilliant for the Poughkeepsie locale.

Whether it was interacting with a clown creating unique balloon shapes, having their face painted a design of their liking, savoring a barbeque lunch of hamburgers, corn on the cob, chips and watermelon, playing a physical activity, or simply relaxing with friends, Boys and Girls members of all ages, along with their families, were having a wonderful time, showing what is possible when community comes together for the good of all.

You can also see the answer in Bradley Sweda.

“I really liked the Summer Camp here a lot, especially the field trips to places like Bear Mountain, FDR Pool and Playground and Lake Compound,” said the joyful Bradley, who will be entering the sixth grade this week. Everything was a lot of fun, including getting to help paint the basketball court here, and I met a lot of new friends, so I’ll definitely be back for the After-School Program.”

He should not have long to wait. If construction and other details go as planned, that crucial Program will be launched on October 12, 2017.