While Schools Cut Back, Kiwanis Step Forward

With communities and school district across the state cutting back on costs, it's more important than ever that local organizations and non-profits step up and help make a diffeence for young people. 

Bolingbrook is no different. And one of it's most visible organizations—the Kiwanis Club of Bolingbrook and Romeoville—has stepped up in a big way.

The Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of 8,000 clubs in 96 countries—powered by more than 26,000 adult volunteers who take responsibility for teaching approximately 320,000 young people how to be good citizens.

Chartered locally in 2002 to serve and Romeoville, Kiwanis work in tandem with school administrators and other youth-serving community organizations to improve the quality of life for our youngest citizens.

To reach this goal, the Kiwanis have established a presence within many schools in order to direct activities that promote personal responsibility, encourage leadership and community service.

"Every single principal has had to cut back and that’s where we step in and help," says President . "We cover 11 or 12 elementary schools and have programs in middle school and high school."

From its inception, organization members have reached out to youth, initially forming the Key Club at and later replicating the club for .

Key Club assists Kiwanis in carrying out its mission to serve the children of the world by supporting a number of community service activities like ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, cleaning up local parks, collecting clothing and organizing food drives.

Key Club members also learn leadership skills by running meetings, planning projects and holding elected leadership positions at the club, district and international levels.

"I commend the (Kiwanis) club for keeping its focus," said Russ Fletcher, one of the original Kiwanis charter members. "They are doing great work for our kids."

Last year, the Kiwanis, with a funding stipend from (a non-profit organization that promotes positive choices for youth) along with Youth Department launched at the middle school level.

Builders Clubs are designed to help middle school students see a larger world beyond themselves. It helps them understand they can play a significant role in the community and use their time to bring about positive changes.

, credits the Builders Club members with being an awesome source of help throughout the community.

"Right now, they are wrapping all the board games that will be given out at our Breakfast with Santa," Morelli said. "They get excited because they know they’re doing something that will bring a smile to someone’s face."

But the club got off to a comically rough start.

"We made Kiwannis International history launching five after-school builders clubs," Carpanzano added. "Then we started to wonder why we had only 15 to 20 kids in the club. Each school has its own faculty to oversee the club so we had them ask the kids. It turns out that they thought it was about construction… literally a hammer and nails type club."

When students returned to school in August, they were exposed to a different message.

The Builders Clubs name was attached to a more accurate definition and promoted as leadership centers. The results of these efforts has translated to a sharp increase in membership with two local schools quickly approaching 40 students.

Mason Dudyark, a seventh grader and Builders Club member at was recently lauded by the for the active role he has taken.

Just last month, Dudyark was commended for demonstrating leadership, trustworthiness, respecting peers and understanding his commitment to better the community.

Jimmy Barber, DuCAP executive director and past Kiwanis president is a staunch advocate of Builders Clubs. "The guidance and mentoring aspects are invaluable. The skills they gain will serve these kids well, not only now but in the future."

Kiwanis are additionally responsible for supporting two elementary school programs one called the "B.U.G." awards, an acronym for Bringing Up Grades, the other a "Terrific Kid" award that recognizes and rewards good citizenship.

Continually striving to extend their reach, the Kiwanis chartered an Aktion Club in May 2009. The effort was the culmination of a partnership between the Kiwanis, the and .

Designed as a service club, it assists adult citizens with disabilities in developing initiative and leadership skills while serving their community. The high functioning group meets monthly in Romeoville and contribute their support at many Kiwanis sponsored events, like their peanut day.

Now, club members are working with administrators at Rasmussen College to develop a college leadership program. Utilizing the Kiwanis International template, the college program, named "Circle K", is on track for a 2012 introduction.

Recently, Kiwanis members received community accolades which included a "Best of Bolingbrook Business" award in the non-profit category from the and a similar award called the RACC just last week from the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Carpanzano credits the clubs success to capturing a niche of residents from both communities that want to help.

"It's all been very exciting and there is much more on the horizon," he said. "Our commitment is to keep doing what we are doing. Clearly it is working and making a difference."