Session 2

We had our second session last Thursday; once again it was a very small group of 5. Although I have been recruiting it just hasn’t seemed to work out yet. I am expecting a bit larger turn out for our next session and still aiming for about 10 Club members.

Our session for the day covered chapter two and chapter three, which focused on family units and seeing beauty and magic. Our group is a little bit quiet and shy, understandably so since we are early in the program. I notice that group dynamics are starting to be formed and find myself concerned with making sure the real reason for the group stays in the forefront.

Since in the last entry I gave the update on how past Manadoob members were doing it seems appropriate to now introduce this group, although it is still fairly small.

S2 is an eleven year old girl who seems very mature for her age. She has younger siblings which may account for this quality, as well as her patient and thoughtful personality. She has been fairly quiet in group so far but when she speaks the group takes notice. She is very thorough in her workbook and has shared her thoughts several times.

L2 is ten years old and in some ways reminds me of S2. He is very considerate of other members, quiet, and patient. However, I also see L2 as a group leader; he is well spoken and the thought he puts into what he shares is obvious. He sets a positive example for others as he follows along and asks questions related to the material as well as of other members, trying to acknowledge connections within the group.

HR is the youngest member so far at nine years old. She is the most talkative and for the time being is very interested in knowing what is going to happen next and when we will use the program kit materials. She is brave to share personal experiences in just the two sessions we’ve had so far and it is apparent she needs and wants a safe place to talk about sensitive topics.

MG is a member who I had never really spoken to before creating this group. I had however noticed how quiet she is and thought this may be a good opportunity to provide her with support and let her feel safe enough to come out of her shell. She has shocked me with speaking openly and her willingness to read aloud. She is eleven and has a bit of trouble staying focused and understanding the topics fully but instead focuses on connecting with others in the group.

Manadoob Updates

For those of you who are loyal followers of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon – Bend Branch Manadoob Program here is an update of what’s happening.

As Ryan mentioned at the end of last school year he changed positions and is now the Teen Director. Under Ryan’s leadership the Teen program is consistently growing and Club members are increasingly more involved in not only their events but also giving back to our local community. Ryan is a natural fit for the Teen Director and has already fostered many positive relationships with the youth enrolled.

My name is Alley and I will have the pleasure of facilitating the Manadoob Program for Club members this year. I have worked with youth and families in a Boys & Girls Club setting for the past 7 years and couldn’t ask for a better job. The youth we have the opportunity to interact with on a daily basis are absolutely amazing! I am in my final year of the Master’s in Social Work program through Portland State University and am anxiously awaiting graduation day.

I plan to keep much of the program the same as Ryan did: class size of 10, weekly updates, and a celebration at the end of the program. I thought that a fitting way to start the year would be a quick update on past Manadoob participants for those of you who followed the blog last year and may be wondering about the progress of these youth post-Manadoob.

BL is still a Club Member and doing well. She continues to interact with others in a positive way and has developed her own group of friends who she enjoys spending time with at the Club.

KJ is continuing his work on aggressive behavior and using verbal communication in a positive way to express how he is feeling. He attends the Club most days and is generally unpredictable with his moods but the progress is noticed by staff.

CS2, in my opinion, has shown a very noticeable change in his behavior and how he carries himself. He is much more confident, social, and engaged in Club activities. He loves interacting with staff and has positioned himself in a way within the Club that ensures daily discussions with staff members.

CS1 has started this school year on a positive note.  He is now a role model for his peers and instead of being too distracted to complete or remember homework he often prefers to finish before playing.  He also encourages his new friends to do their homework as well.

HJ is a current Club member but has not attended more than a few days so far this year.

CM has become a much more social young lady. She is often the starter of conversation and instead of just smiling when addressed will answer confidently.

CJ is staying busy this year and is once again a participant in Girls on the Run, a self-esteem building program that combines health-based lessons with physical activity (training for an end of the season 5K event). She is often beaming when she comes in from practice and enjoys sharing her experiences with others.

RJ, MZ, and FR are not current Club Members.

Looking forward to a wonderful year!

More to come soon…

Alley