New Unit Advisory Council Announced for Madison Avenue Clubhouse

Council Will Build Community and Increase Clubhouse Impact

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse (595 Madison Avenue) has launched a new Unit Advisory Council to build community support and integration, and to help ensure a healthy, happy and safe Clubhouse. The Council is composed of a diverse range of volunteers who have demonstrated a commitment to serving Wakeman Boys & Clubs and youth in the community, including:


·        Eileen Blees: Council Chair, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Board of Trustees

·        Marjorie A. Cable: Principal, Geraldine Johnson Elementary School

·        Howard Kelly: Director, Webster Bank

·        William King: ESL Teacher and Freshman Boys Basketball Coach, Central High School

·        Patrick Parker: President, Eluvayt Inc.

·        Roderick Porter: Chief of Police, City of Bridgeport

·        Reginald St. Fortcolin: Conservation Outreach Manager, Aspetuck Land Trust

·        Najie Sumra: Principal, Allstate Insurance Agency

 

Through monthly meetings and regular collaboration with Carlos Collazo, the Unit Executive Director of the Madison Avenue Clubhouse, the Advisory Council will serve as Wakeman Boys & Girls Club ambassadors to the community at large and will help monitor and strengthen Wakeman’s programs and services. The Council follows a successful model already in place at the Smilow-Burroughs and Southport Club locations.   



The new Council has already helped to facilitate the Webster Bank/Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Finance Lab, a program created to provide students the skills needed for financial empowerment and future financial well-being, as well as the Keystone Club Teen Leadership Program and an urban farming initiative for Madison Avenue Clubhouse participants.

"Our Unit Advisory Council members are dedicated to youth development and fostering positive change in the North End/Hollow Communities and beyond. They have been instrumental in supporting initiatives centered around Financial Literacy, STREAM, and Teen Engagement. Together, these initiatives are making a difference for over 50 club members. We have also partnered up with Al's Millennium Academy of Hair to provide our club members with FREE haircuts bi-monthly," stated Carlos Collazo.

 

Eileen Blees, Chair of the Madison Avenue Clubhouse Unit Advisory Council, stated, “The Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse is incredibly fortunate to have this group of individuals so willing to join our Advisory Council. Their enthusiasm for all the great things that can be done in and for the community was evident from our very first meeting together.”


“They all see the arrival of the Madison Avenue Clubhouse as fulfilling a much-needed positive vision in the community. They see it as a beacon of hope for the neighborhood kids and their families. The Advisory Council members, including myself, recognize that so much good can happen here at the Club; and as Club Ambassadors, we all look forward to helping spread this hope and light throughout the community,” Blees added.

WBGC Teens Advocate For Youth Gambling Education

April 9, 2025
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club teen members across all three Clubhouses – Southport, Madison Avenue, and Smilow-Burroughs, participated in a project funded by The Capital Region Education Council (CREC) to bring awareness of problem gambling to youth in CT. The Public Service videos explore the dangers of online gambling, peer pressure, ease of access and the aggressive targeting of youth through social media ads. Our teen participants felt empowered to become advocates for education regarding youth gambling. We are grateful for CREC, the CSDE, The Hub and Take Part Theatre for the support of this project..

Ultramarathoner Evan Titus is a WBGC Hero!

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Thank you to everyone who supported ultramarathoner Evan Titus and WBGC throughout the Run Across Connecticut, and for joining us at the Pit Stop Party. Evan is a WGBC hero and has served as an amazing role model for Club youth as he ran for great minds, bodies, and futures!

Northeast Regional Torch Club Summit Draws 270+ Teens and Advisors

March 29, 2025
More than 270 teens and advisors from Boys & Girls Clubs across the Northeast attended the Northeast Regional Torch Club Summit at the WBGC Southport Clubhouse on Saturday, March 29. Teens from six states (NY, NY, NH, MA, RI and CT) had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and workshops, share experiences and explore opportunities for personal and Club growth. Presenters from organizations across Fairfield County, including Mystic Aquarium, Sacred Heart University, Apple educators, Synchrony Bank, Silver Hill Hospital, other Boys & Girls Clubs, and many more, shared their learnings and experiences with the teens. This conference was presented by the Southport Clubhouse Keystone Club with support from the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs & CT BGC Professional Association. Thank you to our presenters, volunteers and advisors for helping to make this event a success!

WBGC Names 2025 Youth of the Year

March 13, 2025
Avery Pfenning Will Continue to State Competition

Congratulations to the 2025 WBGC Fine Arts Exhibit Winners!

February 13, 2025
Thank you to the artists who submitted works to our 2025 Fine Arts Exhibit, Express Yourself: Imagination Unbound, celebrating the power of individuality and imagination. Selected works will go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Arts Contest. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges on thematic accuracy, visual display & audio quality, artistic merit, creativity, originality and skill level. Congratulations to the first place winners: Visual Arts: Age 6-9: Hayden P. Age 10-12: Guilia Z. Ages 13-15: Keyarra H. Ages 16-18: Ryan G. Applied Arts: Ages 6-9: Harlem R. Ages 10-12: Harmony M. Digital Arts: Ages 6-9: Marcus J. Ages 10-12: Appollo A. Ages 13-15: Jayden W. Ages 16-18: Grant K.

Congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year Finalists!

February 5, 2025
Congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year Finalists!

Proceeds of "Run Across Connecticut" to Benefit WBGC

January 19, 2025
Creator and runner of the 150 mile "Run Across Connecticut" hopes to inspire others to become the best version of themselves.

WBGC Cowboys Celebrate Great Season

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On Saturday, December 14, the WBGC Cowboys held their end-of-season banquet at our Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. The Cowboys program is about much more than football. Our players have worked hard on AND off the field. They have built a community, attended Cowboy Study Hall, and team dinners together. And they have built skills in teamwork, discipline, perseverance, goal setting, and the ability to handle success and failure. Thank you to the parents, coaches, volunteers and donors who helped to make the season such a success. Go Cowboys!

Construction Junction Exposes Young Adults to ACE Careers

November 13, 2024
Teens and young adults explored careers in the fields of construction, architecture and engineering, met leaders from union and apprenticeship trade programs, and engaged in hands-on projects at the Construction Junction on Wednesday, November 6at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. Sponsored by a collective of industry partners to mark Construction Inclusion Week, participating organizations included Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, DeWalt, Gilbane Building Company, IBEW Local 468, Iron Workers 424, Kafa Group, O&G Industries and Turner Construction in addition to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. The event was free and open to young people aged 13-25 along with family members. “The Construction Junction directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in Life & Workforce Readiness. We are excited to bring together industry leaders and our local youth to provide mentorship and to explore careers in these fields,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club CEO. “Turner Construction Company is committed to innovative partnerships and programs to cultivate the next generation of trades workers and industry professionals. We are facing a serious gap in skilled labor and collectively are working to create pathways for lifelong, successful careers in construction,” stated Chad McCullough, Turner Construction Company, Vice President & General Manager. Participants also learned about the ACE Mentor Program offered at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, designed to expose high school students to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, including skilled trades. Mentors from ACE companies, such as Turner, work with the students to complete a culminating architectural project. Through this 15-week program, 30 teens have opportunities for summer externships and college scholarships. More information is available here.

WBGC Goes Over The Edge!

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Thank you to our heroes and sidekicks! Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) hosted its annual Over The Edge urban rappelling event on October 26, 2024 at the M&T Bank Headquarters (850 Main Street) in Bridgeport, CT. The event featured participants rappelling down the side of the 248-foot-tall building to support WBGC in delivering programs that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and character & leadership. To date, the event has raised over $95K for WBGC and it's not too late to give! Wakeman BGC is grateful to event sponsors, volunteers, participants and community partners for making the day a tremendous success. Check out the News 12 coverage here. Watch a video by the Fairfield Prep Media Team here. Photos Courtesy A-Frame Media.
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