The Simple Things That Mean Everything: Caiti’s Story
My Favorite Boys & Girls Club Story
As a Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows staff member, it’s hard for me to narrow down my favorite Club story to just one. Today’s youth are vibrant, resilient and inspiring — and I feel lucky that I get a first-row seat to witness these qualities every day. But if I had to choose, there’s one story that stands out. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did.
This story is about a mom and her three children. The mom had just divorced her husband, who was abusive, and she worried about her children’s safety when leaving them home alone after school.
Enter the Boys & Girls Club. Despite being unable to afford Club fees — she was on food stamps and housing assistance — the Club said: “Don’t worry about it. Just send your kids here.”
But… the story doesn’t end there.
At first, her two youngest boys had trouble adjusting to the Club. They were angry and would pick fights and throw tantrums. But in time, they became more and more interested in having fun and making friends.
But their older sister was different. She didn’t want to have fun or make friends, to play foosball or create art projects. She just wanted to go home.
One day, a Club staff member took notice. He handed her a clipboard and pencil and asked if she would be his assistant. There were some jobs that needed to be done around the Club and he needed her help.
Reluctantly, she said yes and began her tasks. She counted games in the game cabinet. She counted balls in the ballroom. She even counted ceiling tiles on the ceiling! Day after day, as she completed her tasks, she began to enjoy coming to the Club. For the first time, she felt valued, important and confident.
You may have guessed already — the little girl in the story is me.
25 years ago, because of the Boys & Girls Club, my little brothers and I had a safe place to go when we needed it most. We had reliable daily meals, a place to belong and make friends, and caring adults who saw our potential.
Today’s youth are dealing with complicated issues, but one thing remains as true now as it was then: It’s the simple things that matter most to kids.
Give Kids the Simple Things
The world is complicated, but helping kids shouldn’t be. Now more than ever, it’s the simple things that matter most to kids — a trusted adult to say “I believe in you”, three dependable meals a day, a safe place to go after school. With your support Boys & Girls Clubs of America give kids the simple things they need to make their world a little less complicated.
