On a recent Saturday morning at the University of Chicago’s renowned Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, five teams of aspiring entrepreneurs from Boys & Girls Clubs of ... CONTINUE READING
Our Club Stories
Club members enjoy wildlife in Utah.
From Chicago to the Grand Tetons: A Journey of Discovery and Connection
Chicago Teens Find Connection in the Grand Tetons
This summer, 18 of BGCC's amazing teens and staff packed their bags and headed out west for an unforgettable week exploring the stunning Grand Tetons of Wyoming.
For seven days, participants in the fifth annual Journey to the West trip – made possible by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy and United Airlines – hiked, rafted, reflected, and built lifelong connections. For many, it was their first trip out of Chicago and their first time experiencing nature on such a grand scale.
“I’ve battled with anxiety for a long time, but this experience gave me space to feel free and open,” shared Yawheh Anderson, a freshman student at Northern Illinois University. “For once, I didn’t feel like I had to keep my guard up—and that alone was healing in ways I didn’t expect.”
Connecting with Community
Members met with the Eastern Shoshone tribe, played traditional games, and shared songs, deepening their appreciation for the land's history. At the Bentwood Inn, they networked with local leaders, including Chip Kelly, Superintendent of Grand Teton National Park.
By the end of the week, what had started as a group of teens from ten different Chicago neighborhoods had become more like a family.
Connecting with Nature
From paddleboarding at Jackson Lake to conquering the Treetop Adventure Course high above the forest floor, each adventure built courage and teamwork.
Members hiked seven miles to the Darby Wind Cave in Idaho, rafted eight miles of the Snake River Canyon, and even raced down from the 10,450-foot peak at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
“I discovered my sense of peace through the stunning beauty of nature,” said Mikeeya Gresham, a senior at Benito Juarez Academy. “This experience is something I will carry with me as I enter my senior year.”
Connecting with Leadership
Workshops throughout the week encouraged kids to reflect on their values, practice networking, and envision their futures.
For DeLauren Edwards, those lessons quickly became real. After speaking with local EMTs, he now plans to pursue EMT certification. Edwards hopes to return to Wyoming in 2026 to serve the very community that welcomed him.
Connecting with Mindfulness
Daily meditation, breathing exercises, and sound bowl sessions helped members find their center, recharge, and reflect on their experiences.
“After losing my mom this past year, this experience was helpful for me to grieve and get into the right state of mind,” DeLauren shared.
For others, mindfulness practices have become habits they now carry into their everyday life back home.
A Lasting Impact
Whether it was overcoming the fear of white-water rapids, building confidence in workshops, or laughing around a campfire, Journey to the West gave our members something priceless: the chance to see themselves differently.
“I didn’t want to take a single moment for granted,” Yawheh said. “It truly meant a lot, and I hope I left a positive impact on everyone, just as they did on me.”
BGCC in the News
This year’s trip even caught the attention of local media. Fox 32 News highlighted how Abercrombie & Kent’s partnership with BGCC introduces young people to the travel and tourism industry. In the segment, Raul Rodriguez, BGCC Director of Core Programs, and Club member DeLauren Edwards shared how Journey to the West is expanding horizons and inspiring new career paths.
Chicago Sky presents the "Player for the Day" to Chloe. (Center) Chloe with her #25 Chicago Sky jersey.
Chloe’s Unforgettable Day
with the Chicago Sky
For 11-year-old Chloe, August 3 was a day like no other. It was the day she was named the Chicago Sky "Player for the Day."
A longtime member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Chloe got the star treatment. She and her family arrived in style by limousine, stepping into a day full of magic at Wintrust Arena. At a press conference, hosted by the Sky players and coaching staff, she signed a one-day contract as cameras flashed. Wearing her very own personalized jersey, Chloe got to meet and practice with the players she admires.
But the real magic happened that evening. Her name echoed through the arena, her number flashed on the Jumbotron, and she took her seat on the bench right next to WNBA star Angel Reese. Angel, who was out for the game due to injury, spent most of the game chatting and laughing with Chloe – an opportunity few will ever have the chance to experience.
"We're sort of best friends now," Chloe said, grinning from ear to ear.
To top it all off, the Chicago Sky honored Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago at center court and presented a $5,000 donation from Magellan Corporation. For Chloe, who's been part of our Club family since she was five, it was a proud moment to see her Club recognized right alongside her.
Chloe is exactly why we do what we do. Her joy, confidence, and courage remind us just how important and powerful it is when kids see that their dreams truly matter. These moments don't happen without the incredible teamwork of partners like Magellan Corporation, the Chicago Sky, and supporters like you. Thank you for helping kids like Chloe shine.
More Than a Game: How One Gift
Made Kids Feel Seen and Valued
When supporters from the Ehlert Family Foundation visited our Pedersen-McCormick Club this summer, they participated in a Club tour led by several youth ambassadors.
During their visit, Stacy Ehlert asked 14-year-old Rachel a simple question:
“If you could add one thing to the Game Room, what would it be?”
Rachel didn’t hesitate.
“I wish we had a Wii,” she said, smiling.
Two days later, a Wii gaming system showed up at the Club, thanks to the Ehlerts.
The Game Room, which features pool tables, laptops, and a variety of fun activities, is filled with laughter and energy every day. The kids cheer each other on in dance games and gather around for some friendly competition – which is exactly the sort of team building the Game Room is meant to encourage. The Wii has brought even more connection and joy to Rachel and her friends.
But it’s more than just a game system. It’s a reminder to our members that their voices matter and that people in their community are listening and truly care.
Your generosity ensures that children like Rachel not only have a safe place to go after school but also feel seen, valued, and loved. To the Ehlerts and to every one of you who gives so generously. Thank you. You help make our Clubs places where kids feel safe, valued, and full of possibility.
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