Lucas and Nelia’s Club Story

Thank you for supporting kids in our community. Your dedication to Club youth is inspiring.

Throughout the last year, families and youth in our community have inspired us to be innovative and adaptable. From exciting new teen programs, to flexible Club hours, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County is a safe, bright spot for many families in our community.

Nelia and her son Lucas experienced this flexibility firsthand. As a Certified Medical Assistant at an oncology clinic, Nelia is a frontline, essential worker. She has dedicated her career to helping some of the sickest members of our community. Though her work is her passion, it created an unprecedented challenge as a single mom.

Lucas started playing basketball at the Club when he was 8. He loved playing basketball at the Club. It was the place where he could be himself, where he could make friends. Lucas describes the Club as his happy place.

After experiencing other after-school programs, Lucas asked his mom if he could not only play basketball at the Club, but attend the Sammamish Club before and after school.

The Club’s dedicated staff gave Nelia peace of mind as she decided to enroll Lucas in school year programming. Nelia was grateful for the support that the Club provided to her as a single mother, especially as an essential worker during the shutdown. Lucas was able to attend the Club for virtual learning while Nelia was at work.

When Club hours changed to 8:00 am – 5:30 pm this past Winter, Nelia ran into a scheduling problem. Nelia was with patients from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. She knew she couldn’t make it to the Club by 5:30 pm to pick up Lucas.

She described the feeling as helpless because she was running out of options. When the Club heard about Nelia’s predicament, the team banned together and agreed to keep the Club open until 6:00 pm.

Many Club families have stories just like Nelia and Lucas and are faced with hard choices about their jobs and their families. The Clubs are uniquely positioned to develop solutions for each family’s needs.

Demand for innovative, adaptable programming has increased as we all try to adjust to our ever-changing environment. Boys & Girls Clubs relies on the generosity of our community and partners, like you, to support programs that help families like Nelia and Lucas. Can I count on you to renew your support for the Club today?

Teens, especially, are struggling due to the pandemic. With days growing darker, weather turning cold, and the holidays upon us, attention to mental health is critical for kids feeling this stress. Boys & Girls Club programs continue to evolve to meet these needs by offering innovative solutions, like Peace Circles and other mental health support.

We also continue to provide critical scholarships, so that financial insecurity is never a barrier to care for Club families. Clubs will continue to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of our youth.

No matter what the future brings, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County is continuing to do what we do best: providing a safe environment, high-quality and culturally relevant programs, and consistent support from trusted youth development professionals.

Can we count on your gift by December 31 so that youth and families have a safe, inclusive, and fun place to go? Together, we can continue to adapt and create innovative programs for youth and families where they need us most.

Be well, stay safe, and thank you!

Laurie Black

President & CEO

PS – Your support today allows the Clubs to continue to innovate to meet the needs of youth and families, no matter what the future may bring. Thank you for your continued partnership!