 Hi, I am Jan Reardon, and I am representing the Jennifer Reardon Foundation. Jennifer Reardon is my sister-in-law, and my brother has created this foundation that has done amazing work throughout the United States, actually in many countries, and focused really on being kind, loving, caring, and sharing is the mission of the foundation. The four pillars that are always near and dear to Jen's heart are early childhood education, financial literacy, women's empowerment, and community vibrancy, which, speaking of community vibrancy, I am very pleased today that I'll be able to introduce our guest. As you know, we have the show each month on the Thursday of each month, and this month we have Tanya Benoski from the Voice and Girls Club of Burlington here with me, and I just want to say welcome, so thank you for being here. It's my pleasure too. We had our paths crossed years ago, and I'm so thankful that they crossed again today. So that's good, and hopefully we'll stay in touch because I certainly admire the work that you're doing. Obviously, most people are certainly familiar with the Boys and Girls Club, and I do know, similar to the Y, that the Y in Burlington is not the Y of the USA in Boys and Girls Club, even though they're similarities, it's Burlington, and you have been able to really do major improvements throughout the Burlington area because of being able to do things a certain way with Boys and Girls Club guidance. So that's what I love about it, is that you can really tweak that by the looks of things to our community. And so a couple of things I'd like to ask you to get started is, one of you could just give us the general mission of the Boys and Girls Club, and then perhaps like looking at 2024 here in Burlington, what is like really right on the top of your radar that's a focus for this year? Yeah, absolutely. So we, in the most broad sense, we are an after school program and a summer camp. That also is a very general way to describe our work because ultimately what we want to do is to help our members to create the life of their dreams. So we provide a safe place, we help to support character and life skills, and we work with our kids on academic success. And that's so beautifully stated because years ago I did a tour of Boys and Girls Club, and there were a lot of different things going on. And you could feel the passion. It wasn't just like I'm going to sit down and I'm going to get my homework done. There was conversation, and this is years and years ago, just conversations about the kids' dreams and their passions. And then all of a sudden I started hearing about these outcomes and kids were going to college. So, again, I'll let you go, but I just wanted to emphasize how prevalent and that just resonated through the club when I was there on that tour. You could just feel the interaction between the people that were working there, the volunteers, the kids that were there. It was a really upbeat, loving, very welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Yeah, I hated to leave. It felt like you were in a nice little cocoon there. It was very, very comfortable. Yeah, yeah. So this year what would you say, is there anything in particular that's really kind of driving the mission this particular year? There are always several things that we're working on. Academic success is always one of our top priorities. And I do think that's what makes us different from a lot of after school programs or a lot of Boys and Girls Club. So we have an education department. There are three soon to be four educators. And our goal is to work with kids as the unique individuals that they are and help them to build proficiencies that get them to 12th grade with the skills needed to engage in some kind of education after that. Because there was a time in life when a high school diploma and a in work ethic was enough to build a really good life. But we're living in a knowledge driven world. Exactly. Never ending. Trades program, certificate program, college degree program. Definitely with a specific purpose. But so is that the early promise education program? Because that's what I was reading about. And I encourage people, they can see the website right on the bottom of the screen there, but to go and read about that. Because as much as I thought I knew about the Boys and Girls Club and the fact that it was academically driven, it wasn't just kind of a place to go after school to be safe and have a good time. It really amazed me about this program. And if you could just talk a little bit more, because it goes from kindergarten, as you said, all the way up through 12th grade. And whether it's the trades or going to college, it's really finding out at such an early age what somebody might be interested in and maybe think that there's no way they could ever get there. I mean, we all have those doubts. And to have something so nurturing going on in their life on a regular basis, can you just tell us more about that particular program? Like, when did that start? And what are maybe some of the stories that you could share about that would be fabulous? Thank you. Absolutely. It started 12 years ago, I guess. It is a little over a decade ago. And our board and our staff work together to identify that education is the single most powerful opportunity that we could offer our kids. I mean, brilliant, right there in itself. For this area and for those children and families. And we started that in, we originally started working with kids in fourth grade. And we determined that was too late, that people had already, these kids had already determined what their life's trajectory was going to be. Right, and felt defeated in many ways. Defeated in many ways. And then that's ingrained in you. And it takes a very special person or situation to turn that around. But at that point, if it does happen, no less obviously starting younger. Exactly. So now we start in kindergarten. And all of the work, of course, is age-appropriate. Right. It's on helping to build aspirations. And the imaginations, right. And really provide enough support in a lot of ways. We social, emotional, academic, financial, through college scholarships. So that kids know they've got people and supports that they can rely on. Right, on every aspect. We're not going away. Exactly. Yeah, it's really been. And in this day and age, as we were talking about earlier, with the pandemic and all the disruption that that caused and mental illness. And just families that have not really come back together as a result of that, depending on how it affected everybody so differently. But to know that there's a safe haven like that is a gift talk about priceless. Right? I know, I mean what you must get to experience on a regular basis is so rewarding. Yeah, it is. I started at the Boys and Girls Club 16 years ago. I still laugh. What was your first position? Director of Finance. And it was a six month. That's all I agreed to. That's all I agreed to. And then I was out of there. You were 16 years later, right? So where did you think you were going? Did you know you just knew it was six months and you were out? Exactly, yes. And then here you are. And I fell in love because of all the reasons you just shared. Oh, absolutely. You can't put a price tag on any of that. What that does to you, like at the end of the day when you get home, I mean, you just breathe differently knowing truly what a difference you and the culture of the Boys and Girls Club has done for this area. I mean, to really hear from those kids, you know, what it's done for them is something that not many of us get to experience. Yeah, yeah. It's beautiful. So and then you became the executive director in 2019. And so what, you know, say with the early child, early promise education program, what have you seen change since you've been the executive director? How have things evolved with that program? Well, one thing that I've really loved about our work is that our board and all of our staff have made long-term commitments. So we don't change our strategies or our programs or our mission based on some people that come and go. So I feel very fortunate that I was involved in this work before I became the executive director and that I had the absolute honor of continuing to protect that work because doing individual work is expensive. You've got to have high quality people. Exactly. Well, you say like an education department. I mean, you know, those are expensive. Well, we agree nobody gets paid enough in the field of education. But still, I mean, that's a very critical department for your organization and a very competitive department. Yeah. Right? Yes, absolutely. But again, talk about the gift of being able to be a teacher in that type of a setting and to see those outcomes. Yes. You know, it's so rewarding. Gosh, I mean, our young people are, they are amazing in what they're accomplishing. I feel so honored to know them. One of the most exciting stories is our first graduate. Yes, I loved it. So what year was that? Gosh, maybe that was back in 2015, maybe? So she was the first. When she graduated from college? Yeah, and where did she go? She went to Champlain. Wonderful. Got a bachelor's in accounting. Went on to get a master's in business and MBA. Is now a CPA working in New York City. I mean. Talk about the dreams of, like, you'd watch this movie and think it's a little hokey. Yeah. Right? Right. And then, you know, you lived it. Oh, that's beautiful. And a lot of these, or most of these people, maybe all of these people are first in family to attend college. Well, I was just going to say, talk about breaking a cycle in the midst of all this. I mean, I'm sure most of these kids never dreamed of going to college. You know, let's talk to their parents that they had gone to college or even knew what to do to go in that direction. Yeah. I mean, there are all kinds of stories about people come from all sorts of backgrounds. But if no one in your family has ever done something before, then it's really hard for. Now, that exposure. Exactly. It's hard. You wouldn't even, it wouldn't be on your radar. Right. Exactly. Right. I know there's so many things that, you know, some people just take for granted. And then you get an opportunity to talk with people that are coming up through and haven't had those opportunities. And it's just such a loving sensation that you just feel so good to be a part of it and talk about kindness and community vitality and vibrancy at its finest. It's amazing. How many students or children would you say on a daily basis come through Boys and Girls Clubs? I think there are around 200, between 200 and 250. One thing that's a little bit different this year for us is we've had a, we've always had a successful teen program high school. Right. But it's grown this year. We have probably 50 kids a night at the club. Oh, my goodness, and teens. I mean, you'd think that's the last place they'd want to be is like, you know, kind of accounted for. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's beautiful. So what does the teen program look like? It's more of an informal program, more of a drop in program. The gym is, of course, super popular. We are extraordinarily good at basketball. Oh, I bet, yes. But we also have two educators who are working. And so if people want homework help or college applications, all of that is available to them. And there's food and cards and, you know, all of that. So you wouldn't want to be there, right? Exactly. Exactly, they're friends. I think I'd like to come in there and join you. I often think that. Exactly, yes. I love it. So then you were saying kind of back with early promise education program, sometimes you go into the trades. So are there organizations like collaborations that you work with different people that can help kids get more information and pursue a career, you know, in some of the trade areas? We are building those relationships. Wonderful. They aren't as established. What has been really fun is to build relationships with employers like the hospital. Right. Heritage Automotive or Green Mountain Power, all of these places that have a whole number of opportunities. And it is fascinating. You realize that I learned a lot about becoming a mechanic recently. You've got to have technology skills. Nowadays, with everything being so automated and the electronics that are involved in the screen like this that's on your dashboard, because we had Vermont Works for Women here. And it's amazing how they've reached out and helped so many people with careers. And it could be in auto mechanics is a very popular one or a welder and underwater welder. I mean, there's so many little niches and that when kids can use their imagination and say that's what I want to do to be able to have some organization be able to be that force behind them to get those answers is half of it right there. I mean, the rest, given their motivation, obviously, they know they can accomplish this. Another thing that's becoming increasingly more popular is dental hygiene. Is it really? That has turned into a phenomenal career. And I know there's a shortage. Right. Right. A couple of my friends just retired from dental hygiene. And we were talking about now that there's such a shortage and the pay is very good. Exactly. Yes, it's a nice career path. It is. And that technology of dental work too now with all of the new equipment, it's so advanced. And what hygienists can do now compared to what they used to be able to do because there's an extra certification and you can do anything that can be fixed, basically. So as long as the dentist could change it if necessary. But those are great opportunities that kids would never have even considered. Exactly. And what a great field. Yeah, yes, agreed. Well, let me just see what else I have. Are there fundraisers that you have? And I just want to talk about donations and how we can get the word out to be able to get some money going in the direction of your organization. Yeah, absolutely. So I think often it's not intuitive to people how a place like the Boys and Girls Fund is funded. Absolutely, right. How do we exist? So 85% of our funding is from the community. Oh, that's a lot. If it's individuals or businesses or whatever else that might exist in the community. We have one, we raise money in a number of ways. OK. Our biggest fundraiser per se is for our summer camp. And it's in June. And it's an online auction. We've got the best auction of anyone in town. Do you really? We really, really do. Kind of experiences. Do you do that? We have very nice experiences. Oh, I love it. And that's in June? I put this on my calendar. So you just go right online and beautiful. Yeah, it's a lot of fun. And we raise money for summer camp through that. We also, like you were saying, we have tours of the club where people have to know us. And from there, a whole bunch of different things can happen. And that's really what we want, is the chance to get to. Have that exposure, right? And then do volunteers come as a result of that? Exactly. And keeping it to fundraising. I don't want to lose sight of that. But with the volunteer piece, are you looking for volunteers? Are you well-staffed with volunteers? What is your status on that aspect of your organization? Both. We are pretty well-staffed. And we're always looking for people who can make us even better. What types of volunteers are you looking for? I'd say a reading buddy is probably the most popular thing to do. And that would be reading for specific ages? Yes. The youngest kids, probably, there's the most opportunity to do that with the elementary, really kindergarten through third grade. But really fourth, fifth graders, sixth, seventh, eighth graders. Still would let you read and all that. Maybe middle school is a little less likely. Yeah, I've got to stop at that point, right? And they're just a little too cool to be sitting there. So do you have many people that, so that would be right after school, then, that people would come over for a couple of hours? Is that how that would work? Yes, yes. Or even less. Right. It is something that we always realize that we've got to be fun. Exactly. And we've got to have good relationships. Absolutely. I'm glad you said that. I mean, that's what it's all about, right? Are those relationships? Right. So to get a kid to read with you, it's a lot easier if you've also spent some time doing something. Have that rapport. Exactly, right. And do you do things outside of the Boys and Girls Club? Like, say if somebody volunteered. And I guess I'm thinking more like in a big brother, big sister. Are there people that come and they'll take some kids and go out into the community and do different things? Does that occur? That's probably less likely. We have different safety regulations now through Boys and Girls Clubs of America. And so for us, it's less likely than it once was. OK, sure. But there's still a lot of fun things to do at the club. So what is summer camp like? Because registration for that is coming up here, thankfully, pretty soon. You are absolutely right. What is that like? I know you have a gorgeous pool and I see a lot of activity over there, but what else happens? We have someone who, we do have so many things. It is so much fun. You're right, we have a pool. A lot of our club members, that's where they learn to swim, which is fantastic. And excuse me, how many children are in the summer program typically? I'd say on any given day, it's around 80 or 90. We actually, it used to be more than that. And we scaled back a little and reorganized things a little bit because. Right, a little bit more manageable. Yeah, that's a lot of moving parts. Higher quality, yes. Safety, obviously, there's always so much. And especially when you talk about water, and that's why the swim program is fabulous to have. Yeah, so we've got someone who's dedicated to outdoor exploration. Oh, fun. It's all about traveling and doing fun things in Vermont. And that's what I was just going to say. Here we are in Vermont, so we have that opportunity to nature at its finest. Exactly, exactly. And our educators work in the summer. They've got to be more creative and do things that are a little bit more fun than in the school year. But we offer all the things. That's fantastic. So again, you have the fundraiser. And then is that fundraiser in June really to fund the summer camp program? Or does that go into a number of different things that you need? It is largely to fund. Summer. Summer, yes. We also just build relationships with people and get gifts outside of an event. Right, that's fantastic. Let's see. And then so other ways to donate. So there's that. Obviously, people can go to the website. I know you have a donate button there. And then what are other ways that do you have people, like you said, if you go into some of these different businesses, are there opportunities there where people can do things in kind? Yeah, absolutely. Gosh, there are so many different things people can do to be part of the Boys and Girls Club, like dealer.com. So they're creative people. And so there are a lot of difference. You can only imagine some of the things. Are there some examples of things that they have done to contribute to the Boys and Girls Club success? Yeah, I mean, they've done a whole bunch of things. Like, they gave us a van once. And on the side, they couldn't do anything just like a van. It's got this big eagle on it with our values and all that. But they also invited us and our kids in to have career exploration-type days. Wonderful. That's what I was wondering. That's fantastic. Or let us use their space. Great exposure. That is, right? Yes. Because that's a nice place to be working. Exactly. And talk about, yeah, nice benefits over there. Exactly. Exactly. Or they have different events. Sometimes we bring kids over, and that's fun. So yeah, there are a whole bunch of different ways. And it's interesting how individual it can be. Right, depending on, like you say, dealer.com is obviously very creative, and they're going to do something a little outside of the box, which is awesome to come up with different ideas like that. And then have you had many situations where the kids have actually come full circle, where they might be back volunteering or working at the club? Absolutely. That happens a lot, right? That's like you being there for six months. Like, yeah, she was 16 years later. Here you are. I know. It's hard to leave sometimes. Yeah, quite a number of our staff members. We're club members. Awesome. One of my favorite things. And this is really a small thing, but we have a holidays dinner for our families. And for some reason, we had never asked our alums to come and help serve. It's a buffet. We had never asked them to help serve before. That's a great idea, yes. And so we had a handful of those young men. Oh, that's fantastic. And it was so much fun for everyone to have them on the other side of the table. Exactly, right. And talk about storytelling at that point. Those relationships and that rapport that's been built over the years, probably a lot of overlap. Yes. I mean, that is as much as it broadens and goes out into many different areas. It's really its own community, too. Absolutely. Again, back to that safe haven. And what a nice opportunity for children to be able to grow up and learn those values that you have. Yes. So what's coming up next then? Let's see, like when school is closed, like, say, when winter break or whatever, do you have programs that run all day at that time? Maybe, too. So that's coming up probably in February. Yep, in February. Right. Same type of thing. Maybe like 50 children could be over there. Probably. Those are fun days. Oh, definitely. We normally start with, you know, like pancakes or some of the waffles. So you have a kitchen right there? We do have a kitchen there. That's awesome. I didn't realize that. That's really nice to be able to not have everything all prepared. Then that's great. Yes. Yes. Sometimes I think that's the favorite part of the camp. It's like the waffles and the pizza right in the pancakes. It's human nature. Exactly. Yeah, those are where the best memories are made. Right, right. So then at 17, is that kind of when kids, I mean, if they're going off to, you know, go to college or if they're going on a career path with a trade, for instance, do your programs go until they're 17? Like you have the team club, but at what point do kids really stop coming on a regular basis, would you say? Yes, so it's, I do think we're unique as far as boys and girls clubs go. And so technically the answer is when someone graduates from high school. I see. That's when they are no longer a club member. But we support these people in college, really. And that's the nice thing is to follow those outcomes. Yeah, right. So it's really until someone gets their first job. Their relationship. Like the person in New York City, right? Exactly. To be able to see that through. And I'm sure it doesn't end there either. Right, it's true. Right, because everybody's so proud and happy. So it just creates just another level of a relationship into adulthood. And it's beautiful. So what is your relationship with the Boys and Girls Club of America? Like how does that benefit you? Yeah, it's a good question. I think you said in the beginning. I think you phrased it perfectly. So we are an independent member of the Boys and Girls Club. And is everybody that way? Anybody that's in another community, they're all that way. Then they can, within guidelines, do pretty much what that community really needs. Yes, yes. And they're not, I think you had said earlier, necessarily quite as educationally based, necessarily, which is such a gift for this community to have that aspect be so prevalent. Yeah, a lot of clubs have the goal of serving more and more kids, which, of course, is wonderful. Oh, there's that, I mean, you can't deny it, but then. But it's also not our goal. Our goal is to serve kids in really deep ways. Of course, we want as many kids as we can have. You have that decision that you've been able to structure. And they also provide a framework for different programs. I think of it as take what is helpful to us. Exactly, that's like why of the USA. Right, there's a lot of great things that are evidence-based that are out there that you don't have to worry about going and researching. You know that there's a solid outcome that you can expect. Exactly, yes. Plus, I will also say one of my favorite part about being part of that network is the other people we get to meet. Exactly, the networking. Yeah, other executive directors or there's a club outside of Boston that is also really focused on education. It's very similar so you're able to do... Oh, I know to collaborate like that and be able to just brainstorm and to have it be so close. Right? Who doesn't want to take a trip to Boston sometime and have to work, right? Absolutely. Yeah, that's awesome. Well, we are winding up here. I'm just so thankful that you're here and that you're here as the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club. We definitely hit the jackpot. I know that you have a fabulous reputation and the organization does as a result of you. And I just want to personally thank you for all you're doing, really, for I think everyone of Jen's pillars. I come to think of it. It's not just about the community vibrancy. It's everything. I mean, early childhood education is key as we know and the difference that that's making. And then for their peers as well to see and the younger children and their family to have somebody to look up to like that, that's making a difference and all of your relationships. So thank you so very much for what you're doing. And again, we have the website right there on the show so people can go and donate and get involved and look forward to the June fundraiser. Awesome. All right. Thank you so much, Tandy. It's been a pleasure. Yes, it's so nice to get to chat again. Yes, absolutely. Thank you. All right. Okay.