 |
| Marvin Coleman II is an alumnus of the Irving J. Seher Boys & Girls Club and a firefighter with the City of Milwaukee. |
What real impact does the Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of former members?
To address this question, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee commissioned its first-ever survey of Club alumni. Begun in 2001 by Zarimba & Associates and the Planning Council for Health and Human Services, the survey gathered information from alumni age 18 and up. It also recorded demographics, alumni experiences while at the Clubs and their life accomplishments. This local study was based on Saving Lives: Measuring the Impact of Boys & Girls Clubs conducted in 1999 by Louis Harris & Associates.
The study's findings are extremely positive whether alumni were members 5 years or 50 years ago. Considering the drastic changes in Milwaukee's central city neighborhoods since the late 1950s, it is encouraging to note that Club satisfaction remained high regardless of the time period in which study participants were members.
"The Club was one of the best things available in my community" according to
85 percent of Milwaukee alumni felt that Club staff helped them learn leadership skills and build self-confidence.
More than 93 percent of the study's participants took the time to respond to an essay question asking, "What did the Club mean to you?" Some selected responses:
"I am where I am in life today, in a large part, due to the Club."
"The Club was an extension of my home. ... The Club furnished programs and activities that I would never have had anywhere else."
"The Club meant everything to me. I was the Club; the Club was me - all day everyday."
The Milwaukee Clubs is always interested in reconnecting with former members. Visit our Web site's alumni section for more information.