Twenty 8 – 12 year old members from the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress celebrated their graduation from the Smart Girls program. Smart Girls is a small-group health, fitness, and education program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls. Through dynamic age-appropriate sessions, highly engaging activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities with adult women, Club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values. The program emphasizes building skills for eating right, staying physically fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.
The Smart Girls graduating class was treated to a delicious lunch at the Firehouse Café and a shopping trip to Miss Charity’s attic, the thrift store operated by National Charity League (NCL). NCL helps support the program throughout the year and provided gift certificates so the girls could shop and celebrate in style.
Cynthia Nishimoto, Sr. Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for Bandai America Incorporated, spoke to the Smart Girls at their graduation ceremony. She spoke to them about how Bandai develops and launches new products and encouraged them to continue to learn and be their best. “Bandai is a proud supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress and their efforts to improve the lives of children. We appreciate the opportunity to help extend their efforts and commend the Club for offering these opportunities to the children. We further applaud the girls who participated in Smart Girls and wish them success in their future.”
This research-based program was originally developed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America with funding from Unilever Dove Masterbrand. In Cypress, the Club staff have been implementing the program for the past two years. “This character and leadership program helps the girls to make friends, deal with conflict, and improve communication skills,“ said Sue Osbon, Area Director. “And they want to participate because the activities are fun and they really enjoy being with the staff and volunteers that support the program.”
About Boys & Girls Club
For over 30 years the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress has been in the forefront of youth development, working with people of all economic, ethnic, social and family circumstances, with special concern for those who are disadvantaged. The Boys & Girls Club provides children with a safe place to grow and learn, on-going relationships with caring adult professionals, and life enhancing programs. Today, over 800 youth between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in the Club’s two after school locations and fun-filled summer program. The Club is open each day after school until 6:30 p.m. and during the summer months from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Club also hosts a variety of family activity nights and helps connect families to other local resources.
For more information, check out the website boysandgirlsclubofcypress.com, stop by the Club at 10161 Moody Street, Cypress or call us at 714-527-2697.
