Bird Street Community Center's Youth Development Program
Bird Street Community Center (BSCC) offers co-ed and single sex programming for youth after school. We asked Andrea Kaiser, Executive Director, to share with us a little bit about their programming.
What is Bird Street Community Center's mission?
Bird Street Community Center's mission is to provide a hub for educational opportunities and life-long learning; recreation, sports and fitness; individual creativity through arts and culture; and guidance and training for our youth, the leaders of tomorrow. With a focus on the Uphams-Dudley neighborhoods, Bird Street strives to serve families and children through individual and intergenerational programs and services in a setting that welcomes everyone.
What out-of-school time programs do you offer at Bird Street?
We have two main tracks for youth: the first is School Age Child Care, a licensed after-school program serving more than 150 children ages 5-13 each year at four sites during the school year and at Hale Reservation in the summer.
The second, our Youth Development Program serves more than 500 youth ages 10-19. It is divided into nine program interest areas that involve 38 individual activities (i.e. academic support, sports, hobbies, leadership skills, youth violence prevention, etc.). The Boys Program and the Girls Program are considered activity areas within the Youth Development Program.
We know that you offer co-ed programs can you tell us more about your single sex programs?
The Boys and Girls Programs are integral to our goal of developing the leaders of tomorrow. These groups allow young people to develop self-esteem, confidence, long-term goals and the ability to communicate their needs and concerns within social relationships.
Approximately 100 boys ages 10-16 are involved in Boys Program, led by two male staff members. They are divided into two groups, ages 10-13 and ages 14-18. Through the Boys Group young men explore their role in society, their responsibilities within relationships and their leadership potential as role models.
More than 150 girls participate annually in the Girls Program which is similarly divided into two age groups, 10-13 and 14-18. The older group meets every Friday evening for a program called "Sex and Food". Run in partnership with Northeastern University, the programs offers an intimate and low-key setting to help the girls express issues and concerns in an atmosphere that is confidential and non-judgmental.
This summer we are running the Arts Entrepreneur Project for 15 girls, ages 13 and 14. Working with our artist-in-residence Fena Gonzalez and graduate students in business from Suffolk University, these girls will be introduced to general business concepts by working with them to create their own crafts and accessories, and then selling what they made.
Bird Street supports more than 450 youth in their love of sports. Traditionally, girls came to Bird Street to "watch boys" play sports. Bird Street now offers a variety of sports opportunities specifically for girls. Last year Bird Street had 60 young women and girls playing in the Junior Women's National Basketball Association programs. We also offer girls baseball, step-dancing, hip hop, Girls Leap Training, Double Dutch, self-defense and kick-boxing classes, and co-ed soccer. We will be starting a girls' basketball league this summer and girls are now part of our teen training and certification program for basketball coaching and refereeing.
These program activities are giving our girls a new sense of self confidence. They are taking leadership roles at Bird Street and serving as role models for younger girls. They are talking about going to college and becoming future leaders. Rather than giving up when faced with obstacles, they are accepting challenges and taking positive steps to hold on to their dreams.
What are some of the challenges you face?
There are always challenges faced in offering after-school programs. Given choices, some teens would prefer to just hang out -- not interested in using the time to deal with important issues. Our staff work to bring the girls and boys groups together to discuss common issues and to attend life skills trainings.
Funding is another big challenge - especially when it comes to staffing and program costs such as supplies and food. Our youth spend an average of 12-20 hours a week at Bird Street. We are open five nights a week until 9 PM. If we are to keep them actively involved and safe from the streets, then we must serve meals. We now serve dinner four nights a week. There is a significant cost attached to food since we have no kitchen and all meals must be outsourced.
Space is also a challenge. All the space at Bird Street is scheduled to the max. Finding space to add new activities or as programs grow, is very difficult.
Can you share with us something you are proud of?
I am extremely proud of our Youth Council. These are 18 young people, ages 14-18, who are taking a leadership role in changing the face of our neighborhood. They are currently preparing an RFP for community mini-grants of $500-$2500. This experience, made possible through a grant from the Mass. Service Alliance, is teaching them to think clearly, envision a brighter future, and become involved at all levels of community life. They are excited and passionate about this cause and I am proud of their commitment. I know that the work they are doing will make a huge difference in how the community views these young people and youth activism in general.