Boys & Girls Club Holds Family Potluck Dinner

Promoting and Recognizing Family

Medford Boys and Girls Club is a tight knit family that is connected by staff, members of the Club, and outside organizations. With a large network of support, youth at the Club are being provided with excellent opportunities to grow and develop.

The Medford Family Network, coordinated by Marie Cassidy, Team Medford coordinated by Penny Bruce and Brooke Johns, and the Boys and Girls Club Director Jacquelyn Rudis organized a “Family Potluck” to celebrate and recognize families. The potluck was held on Thursday, December 1st to highlight and acknowledge family values and assets. Families provide a special bond and support children during important stages of development. The goal of the potluck was to recognize important family values in a supportive community environment.

The Boys and Girls Club participated in Team Medford’s Family Fun Contest where the youth were asked to think about their family and share what they do for fun. “This contest was an honest experience and it was great that our youth were willing to share details about real family experiences,” say Director Jacquelyn Rudis. All families were highlighted, and there were five lucky contest winners.

Joseph Lotto shared his enjoyment in being with his mom, sister, and grandmother as they laugh and play games. Malley Andemeskal enjoys family time where she usually laughs so hard she can’t breathe. Isabella Riberio is grateful for family traditions such as setting up her family Christmas tree. Treyshaun Spain shared that it is important that he has family dinners and is always excited about Sunday football. Mouad Boudal really likes family trips and playing board games like Monopoly. These are just a few examples of what youth shared about meaningful family experiences.

The Boys and Girls Club went above and beyond to make this event special by nominating and inviting a teacher from each school that had made a difference for the members. The potluck brought teachers and families together to recognize their respective roles in children’s lives, participate in games and share a family meal.

– Submitted by Brooke Johns, Team Medford