2017 Mid-Year Report

Celebrating
Years
2017 MID-YEAR REPORT

2017 BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
President – Mark Lawrence
Simply Yards Landscaping
Vice President – Mike Gubrud
Mike Gubrud Farmers Insurance Agency
Vice President – Holly Shannon
Carson Law Group
Treasurer – Becky Taft
Skagit Bank
Secretary – Carrie Wallace
Skagit Bank
Past President – Annette Booth
Booth Insurance/Allstate Insurance Co.
Member – Pat Barrett
Barrett Financial, LTD
Member – Dr. Carl Bruner
Mount Vernon School District
Superintendent
Member – Raymond Goda
DreamchasersRV of Burlington
Member – Jennifer Fix
Peacehealth Foundation
Member – Tina Asp
Image360
Member – Rob Martin
Chinook Enterprises
Member – Kelly Tuohig
Andeaver
Member – Bill Overby
Skagit Valley College
Member – Mark Nilson
Retired - Education
Friends,
This year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County turns 20! Thinking
back on the history of the organization, our development was much
like the youth we serve. In our early years we worked hard and always
tried our best, but obstacles were presented and took extra support
and encouragement to get through. Much like a parent, our community
was always there, and thanks to the Board leadership that preceded
me, the Clubs continued to find their way, make improvements,
and become our better self.
You were there for us so not only would we continue serving those
youth who need us most, but we would find our way to becoming a
leader in our field—the same expectations we have as our teens enter
into adulthood. You remained committed and invested, and thanks to
you, we entered our ‘adulthood’ and have taken that very place in the
community imagined by that core group of committed volunteer leaders
who willed the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County into existence.
Thousands of youth have been served in our Clubhouses and through
extension programs and activities in the last twenty years, and are
leaders in their own right. Our alumni include police officers and firemen
in Skagit County, members of the Armed Forces, entrepreneurs,
teachers, and assets in the construction and trades, non-profit sector,
and much more. These individuals had need of extra support and
encouragement; a safe, fun, and positive place to be when school was
out. The Club was there.
As an investor and stakeholder in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
and more than 1,700 youth served through direct services in programs,
you are responsible for providing means to reach these realized outcomes,
and for that, on behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of our
Clubs, I thank you. Much work remains to be done, but progress is being
made each and every day as smiles, confidence, and new skills bound
out of our doors, embodied in our members, ages 6-18.
Skagit County is a special place to live and work, and we are honored to
play a role in its continued development and future success.
To the next 20 years!
Mark Lawrence
President, Board of Directors
Owner, Simply Yards Landscape and Design
Mark Lawrence
Board President
3

4
Dear Skagit,
A little more than three years ago, I received a phone
call that would turn into one of the greatest blessings in
my life. As we begin to celebrate our 20 years of serving
youth in the Skagit community, I think back on our history.
Through the struggles, and great successes, the organization
found a way because of committed Board leadership,
and dynamic staff members.
As the CEO, I work most closely with our Board of Directors,
and understand better than most the level of passion
and dedication it takes, not to mention the sacrifices made
by these individuals who volunteer their time, talent, and
treasure to ensure that youth ages 6-18 have better opportunities
of a great future. There are past members who
served for many years making sure the organization found
a way to thrive, and some who were able to participate for
one term. All are a part of our legacy, and have my gratitude
for building the foundation on which we serve more
than 1,700 youth annually.
Our staff at the Club level, both full and part-time, make
magic happen every day. Our leadership team provides
important mission support; coordinating resources,
training, collaboration, and the administrative functions
necessary for operation so Club staff can focus on that
mission: to enable all young people, especially those who
need us most, to reach their full potential as productive,
caring, responsible citizens. More youth than ever have
needs, and we are working hard to respond accordingly.
With your support we are making progress, and see a
bright future ahead of us, as we look to our next 20 years
of changing lives.
Yours in service,
Ron McHenry, CEO
Ron McHenry
Executive Director
THANK YOU
TO OUR MANY
EVENT SPONSORS
2017 YOUTH OF THE YEAR:
Dinner with Friends Keystone Sponsor
Hendricks Family Foundation
YOY Sponsor
Trident Seafood
Eaglemont Golf Course
2017 SEDRO-WOOLLEY WINTER
FUNDRAISER:
Royal Title Sponsor
Dwayne Lane’s North Cascade Ford
Noble Sponsor
Janicki Industries
Grand Sponsor
Carl’s Towing
Table Sponsors
Christine Johnson
Mike & Dianne Crawford
Pat Rimmer’sLes Schwab Tire Centers
Phil Brockman
Mark Nilson
2017 ANNUAL BREAKFAST:
Title Sponsor
Trico Companies
Keystone Sponsor
K&H Integrated Print Solutions
Torch Sponsor
Skagit Transportation
Logistics Sponsor
Bayside Specialties
Table Sponsors
Annette Booth – Allstate Insurance
Barrett Financial — Community Caring Project
Mike & Dianne Crawford
Mike Gubrud – Farmers Insurance
RIS Insurance
R. W. Baird & Co. – Carter & Ryberg
Sims Honda
Skagit Aggregates
Skagit Bank
Continued on page 7

In this Report...
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
PRESIDENT ...3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ...3
LETTER FROM THE CEO ...4
THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS
...4, 7, 15, 25
A PARTNERSHIP WITH SERVICE
CLUBS ...6-7
#DISCOVERSUMMER ...8, 11, 14, 16,
29, 30, 33
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
...26, 27
BY THE NUMBERS: CLUBHOUSE SQ.
FOOTAGE ...9
GREAT PARTNERS ELEVATE OUR
CLUBS ...10-11
EARLY LEARNING & BRAIN SCIENCE
...12
GENERAL CLUB INFO ...14
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? ...15, 17
20 YEARS! CLUBS REACH
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE ...18-23
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE ...24
OPERATIONAL RESERVE &
ENDOWMENT ...26-27
CLUB MENTOR ...28-30
BY THE NUMBERS: RISK BEHAVIORS
...31
GREAT FUTURES GALA ...32-33
PROGRAM & SAFETY COMMITTEE
...34
Credits: The printing & mailing services for this Mid-Year Report were donated by K&H Integrated Printing
Solutions. Additional photography provided by Foxlight Photography, Patrick Dougher, Elizabeth Hanna, Andrew
Worcester, & Bobby Castro. Historical records & photos provided by Joyce Nagel.
5

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SERVICE CLUBS
AND BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
6
“Since being involved with Kiwanis, I’ve had the opportunity to be more fully engaged
with this community. Not just about giving back, Kiwanis has given me an appreciation
for the role citizens play in working together to help their communities grow, and
thrive– sometimes not an easy endeavor, but necessary. With it’s focus on serving youth,
specifically, Kiwanis has provided me with the opportunity to see all the ways kids are
being served, locally, and how I can make a bigger difference.” ~Ian Faley
Service Clubs not only provide important support
and resources to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit
County, they also play an important role in the development
of key staff in the organization. As leadership
staff settle in their positions, they are given opportunities
to engage in their local Service Club’s, attending
a meeting with a current staff member, board
leader, or other volunteer, making their introduction
purposeful and relevant.
Currently, Club staff are members in the Rotary Club
of Anacortes, Rotary Club of Mount Vernon, and
Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon. Past participation
has included Kiwanis Club of La Conner, Burlington
Mid-day Rotary, Soroptimist International, and Rotary
Club of Sedro-Woolley. There are many different
kinds of service clubs in our area, including the Eagles,
Lions, and others. Each contribute to the success
of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County in
support of the mission: to enable all young people,
especially those who need us most, to reach their full
potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Rotary is an international service organization whose
stated purpose is to bring together business and professional
leaders in order to provide humanitarian
services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations,
and to advance goodwill and peace around
the world. Rotarians usually gather weekly for a meal
to fulfill their first guiding principle to develop friendships
as an opportunity of service. CEO Ron McHenry,
and Anacortes Club Director Taylor Bannister are
members, and McHenry was named Rotarian of the
Year in 2012 for service to his Club.
Ian Faley, Associate Executive Director, is a member
of Kiwanis, a global organization of volunteers
dedicated to improving the world, one child and one
community at a time. “Since being involved with
Kiwanis, I’ve had the opportunity to be more fully
engaged with this community. Not just about giving
back, Kiwanis has given me an appreciation for the
role citizens play in working together to help their
communities grow, and thrive– sometimes not an
easy endeavor, but necessary. With it’s focus on
serving youth, specifically, Kiwanis has provided
me with the opportunity to see all the ways kids are
being served, locally, and how I can make a bigger
difference,” Faley says.
Founded in 1921 in Oakland, CA, Soroptimist International
is a worldwide volunteer service organization

Event Sponsors cont...
2017 ANACORTES BREAKFAST:
Title Sponsor
Kiwanis Sunrisers Anacortes
Event Sponsors
Anacortes Noon Rotary
Strandberg Construction
RIS Insurance Services
Cap Sante Inn
Table Sponsors
John L. Scott
Anacortes Community Health Council
Anacortes Police Department
Barrett Financial
- Community Caring Project
The Walk In Clinic @ Island Hospital
Alice Bohnker Insurance
Re/Max
2017 KEYS FOR KIDS:
Grand Piano Title Sponsor
Tesoro Corp
Baby Grand Sponsor
Dwayne Lanes Skagit Subaru
Key Sponsor
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
Table Sponsors
Cascade Natural Gas
Columbia Bank
Farm & Cottage Enterprises
Joanie Hamilton
Rotary Club of Burlington
Major Chord Sponsor
Candlewood Suites
Dahl Electric
Pacific Woodtech Corporation
2016 GOLF TOURNAMENT:
Title Sponsor
Blade Chevrolet
Dinner Sponsor
Judd & Black Appliance
Lunch Sponsor
Bayside Specialties
Rotary Club of Burlington
Continued on page 15
7
Members of the Sedro-Woolley Eagles Aerie 2069 presenting check for
the Sedro-Woolley Teen Center with Club members & staff. L to R: Wendie
Granberg, Patrick Dougher, Kindred Marden, Hallie Simpson, Teresa DeMoss,
and Bill Wartchow.
for business and professional women who work to improve
the lives of women and girls, in local communities and
throughout the world. Through international partnerships
and a global network of members, Soroptimist’s inspire
action and create opportunities to transform the lives of
women and girls by: Advocating for equity and equality;
Creating safe and healthy environments; Increasing access
to education; Developing leadership and practical skills for
a sustainable future. Club staff and Board members have
been engaged and members of several Soroptimist Club’s
in Skagit County.
With a very local start, the Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.)
is an organization that was founded on February 6, 1898,
in Seattle, WA. The Eagles pushed for the founding of
Mother’s Day, provided the impetus for Social Security,
and pushed to end job discrimination based on age. They
have provided support for medical centers across the United
States and Canada to build and provide research on
medical conditions, and every year they raise millions of
dollars to combat heart disease and cancer, help children
with disabilities, and uplift the aged and infirm. Locally, a
very active F.O.E. in Sedro-Woolley, with Teen Director Patrick
Dougher as a member, makes connections with their
Clubhouse, engaging teens and youth in the annual 4th of
July Barbecue, and other service opportunities, as well as
supporting food and snack programs for Club members.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County is thankful for
the support from all the local service clubs and organizations
that engage in a multitude of ways in support of
the more than 1,700 youth served in our communities
each year. There are great opportunities to get involved
in a multitude of ways, whether it be attending a meeting
and seeing if becoming a member might be something to
consider, or by supporting the many fundraising initiatives
held during the year.

Summer break is nearing to a close and the youth
at the Clubs have been taking advantage of every
minute of our #DiscoverSummer programs for kids.
Four locations in Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes,
and Burlington have been able to provide service
Monday thru Friday from 7am to 6pm, as well as
an afternoon drop-in program. The Burlington Summer
Breeze program received a major upgrade, as the
newly renovated Maiben House at Maiben park was
made available for the Club to utilize.
For each themed week, the Clubs enjoyed a field trip,
to visit other Clubs in Washington state, to the Pacific
Science Center, to the Seattle Aquarium, with more
yet to come.
Ready, set, Dodgeball! This has been a favorite activity at the
Burlington Club
For a STEM activity in Mount Vernon, youth made lemon volcanoes.
Add some baking soda, food coloring, vinegar and watch it blow!
8

By the Numbers:
CLUBHOUSE SQ. FOOTAGE VS. AVG. DAILY ATTENDANCE
1,800 SQ FT
AVERAGE SIZE OF A
3 BEDROOM HOME
ANACORTES
53
CLUB MEMBERS
MOUNT VERNON
72
CLUB MEMBERS
SEDRO-WOOLLEY
50
CLUB MEMBERS
A large three-bedroom house averages 1,800 sq ft, and is considered comfortable living space for 6-8 people.
That’s about 225 sq ft per person. Not bad. Taking into account that Club spaces aren’t used mildly, with no
sleeping areas, and lots of kid traffic moving about, imagine your house full of kids. No, REAL full. We’ve
broken out, by Clubhouse, the equivalent of how many kids would need to be in an 1,800 sq ft home, based
on average daily attendance.
9

GREAT PARTNERS ELEVATE OUR CLUBS
Throughout the history of Clubs in Skagit County,
one can see that many passionate individuals,
businesses, and communities have invested in shaping
them into a reality—creating a safe, fun, positive
place for youth, especially those that need
us most, to reach their full potential as
productive, caring, responsible citizens.
As challenges and opportunities arose,
so would new champions—partners
that would help the Clubs grow, and
thrive. K&H Integrated Printing Solutions,
located in Everett, WA, became
one of those champions for the Clubs.
In April of 2014, Ron McHenry met with
Jay C. Ackley, CEO and owner of K&H. Ackley
pledged that K&H would supply the Clubs with
their major printing needs, as an in-kind contribution
to the organization. The initial value was nearly
$20,000, and since then, has grown even more significantly
as the Clubs make best use of the amazing
gift to report to the community.
K&H is one of the largest printing and mailing facilities
located on the West Coast. Founded in 1908, K&H has
a rich printing history, and has managed to stay on the
cutting-edge of new technology advancements. They
now handle a sizable bulk of private & public election
ballots, and can easily print and mail over a million
pieces per day in their 70,000 square foot facility. But
their company is about more than their fast printers
and volume of mailing, they operate within a philosophy—“Believe
in Abundance, Live in Abundance, Give
in Abundance.”
Now that the Clubs had this incredible resource for
printed materials, they needed to execute them. Effective
marketing would help the Clubs have visibility in
the community, a way to tell the story of how the
Clubs serve youth. At the time, this story wasn’t reaching
very many people, and that needed to change.
Parents needed to know about the services Clubs
provide during after school hours and in the summer.
Youth needed to know that the Club is a place where
they can belong. Supporters needed to know what
their dollars accomplish. Volunteers needed to know
how they could share their skills. And the Community
needed to know the Clubs are an investment in their
future leaders.
When Tammy Findlay came on as the Director of Marketing
& Stewardship for the Clubs in July of 2014, she
had trouble wrapping her mind around the incredible
gift the Clubs had received from K&H. “I’ve never had
a printing budget like this to work with,” said Findlay.
Of course, the first order of business wasn’t to
“use up” the printing. The Clubs wanted to
be purposeful with the resource, with
planning and execution. A marketing
committee was formed with assistance
from a group of volunteers in the business
community, and a marketing plan
was crafted in harmony with a development
plan and budget.
Findlay soon met with Jack Sather, who
would serve as the Club’s representative from K&H,
and toured their printing facility in order to gain a better
understanding of the type of printing they could do
for the Clubs. “Their facility is incredible. I was overwhelmed,
honestly. The sophistication of their printers,
how they streamline everything from pre-press,
to printing, to folding, to binding, and then to mailing,
and then the shear volume—just amazing,” said Findlay.
It was clear, that the Clubs projects would be very
small on the scale of what K&H was capable of, but
that didn’t mean that they were treated small. “Jack
and everyone at K&H has been so helpful and attentive
with each of our projects,” said Findlay. Recently, K&H
printed a 20th Anniversary self-mailer for the Clubs,
that went out to 26,000 people in Skagit County. “Any
time I have questions about a process, I know I have
their expertise & advice to rely on.”
Because of this partnership, many printed pieces
have been produced; event invitations, informational
brochures, summer catalogs, semi-annual newsletters,
and annual reports. Ron McHenry reported that
they get a lot of positive feedback from the community
regarding their publications. “I think people
appreciate receiving our annual report, especially,
and I think it is unique, in that we get articles contributed
from our Club Directors, and volunteers, as
well as our senior leadership staff.” The Clubs are
also able to offer full color ad space in their publications
to their partners and sponsors. “It’s wonderful
for us that we are able to offer these added perks
for our sponsors without any additional cost on our
end,” said Findlay.
10

Continued...
Jack Sather (left) with Ron McHenry at the Club’s GREAT Futures
Breakfast
“Our partners see a difference in what
we’re doing. They see the impact of their
support, and they see that their help is
making an impact, everyday. Being able
to tell the story of our kids, through
great materials, allows us to engage more
people, and to demonstrate our thanks to
all those who help us serve the youth who
need us most. We wouldn’t be where we
are without that support.” ~Ian Faley
Making new friends at the Burlington Club.
Since a Club membership of 978 in 2014 to serving
over 1,700 youth to date, the Clubs have seen immense
growth, but total membership is not the only metric
for success. The Clubs have also increased their operating
budget in same span of time from $950,000 to
$1.9million. “Our partners see a difference in what
we’re doing. They see the impact of their support, and
they see that their help is making an impact, everyday.
Being able to tell the story of our kids, through
great materials, allows us to engage more people, and
to demonstrate our thanks to all those who help us
serve the youth who need us most. We wouldn’t be
where we are without that support.” said Ian Faley,
the Club’s Associate Executive Director.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County would like
to express their gratitude to Jay & Terry Ackley, for
their commitment to supporting Boys & Girls Clubs in
Washington state. The Clubs in Skagit County have
grown, and will continue to flourish with GREAT partners,
like K&H. Because of that, more kids in more
places have access to opportunity, and the ability to
create their own #GreatFuture.
There were plenty of hot days to play in the sprinklers.
During #BrainGain in Anacortes, youth practiced observing their
environment by using handmade binoculars, and journaling about what
they saw.
11

Guest Submission:
EARLY LEARNING & BRAIN SCIENCE
From the first minutes of life, babies
are always learning. You as their
parent are your child’s first and best
teacher. But not many people have
been taught how to be a good parent
and teacher. When we as parents
and caregivers better understand
the “brain science” of how babies
learn, we can help them be the best
they can be in life. Good quality early
learning builds the foundation for
success in life.
There has been a lot of research on
how babies brains grow. Brains grow over time starting
from simple connections and skills followed by
more complex circuits and skills. In the first few years
of life, many connections between the brain cells are
occurring—as many as 1 million new connections
form every second! To help those connections stay
strong, babies need responsive relationships and
positive environments.
Responsive relationships mean two way interactions—you
do something to get your baby to respond
to you or the baby does something to get a response
from you. For example, when you smile at your baby,
you want them to smile back. And when they smile at
you, they want you to smile back at them. Talk to your
baby about the things you see around you when you
take a walk or go to the grocery store. They are listening
and may move their arms or make noises in response
to your voice. During the day when your baby
makes noises or waves their arms, they are asking for
you to respond to them—mimic their movements or
laugh and talk to them. Read to your baby every day
for at least 10 minutes—they are learning new words
and they love the sound of your voice. If you have
older children in your house, have them read to your
Sue Kreinen
Early Learning Advocate
baby too. Your baby is learning every
minute so even in your routine daily
tasks, talk to your baby and show
them what you are doing.
Positive environments are safe,
stable, and caring. You are doing
everything to protect your baby
from getting hurt physically—you
use car seats and baby gates and
watch for what they are trying to
put in their mouths. Protect their
emotional well-being as well. Loud
noises and rough handling scare
babies so they need to be handled with care and
love. Sometimes, we all get overwhelmed and upset.
Your baby can feel that you are unhappy, so
give yourself a break and have someone take care
of your baby while you take some time for yourself.
The positive environment you create by taking care
of yourself as well as your baby will help all of you
enjoy being a family.
There are a number of resources available for you
to better understand how to be the best parent and
teacher for your children. A great source is your
local library. You can get a free subscription to Parenting
the First, Second and Third Year newsletter.
It comes in the mail every month and is great for
sharing with baby sitters, child care providers and
grandparents. Subscribe on line at www.brigidcollins.org.
It is available in Spanish. There is a Smart-
Phone app called Daily Vroom that gives you daily
activities and information about your baby/child.
Most of all remember your baby and children are
always learning so be the best parent and teacher
that you can be to help them achieve their full
quality of life.
12

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DWAYNELANE.COM

CLUB INFO
Continued...
Any youth age 6, or entering into 1st
Grade, up to age 18 can attend the
Clubs. During the school year all of
our Clubs operate Monday thru Friday,
from 2pm to 6pm, except for the
Sedro-Woolley Club, which operates
till 6:30pm. *The Clubs also operate on
select early release days and during
school breaks. Select Fridays are Teen
Nights. During the summer, Clubs are
open Mon-Fri from 7am to 6pm.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
PO Box 947
1605 William Way, Ste B
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-419-3723 (phone/fax)
ANACORTES
904 6th St.
Anacortes, WA 98221
360-588-9045
MOUNT VERNON
1100 N. La Venture Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-428-6995
MOUNT BAKER MIDDLE SCHOOL
2310 E. Section St.
Mount Vernon, WA 98274
360-428-6127 x32175
LA VENTURE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1100 N. La Venture Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-428-6109 x31177
SEDRO-WOOLLEY
915 McGarigle Rd.
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
360-856-1830
BURLINGTON SUMMER BREEZE**
Maiben Park
1011 Greenleaf Ave.
Burlington, WA 98233
*Some hours depend on which Club & the
number of registered participants.
**Summer only.
Anacortes Club members on a field trip to Soaring Eagle Regional Park near Sammamish.
This group of Sedro-Woolley Club members named themselves “The Herbinators”. They
are the caretakers of all the herbs in the garden. Volunteer Cookson Beecher (right), leads
several gardening projects with youth at the Club.
14

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Club Alumni make a difference
General Wesley Clark Kerry Washington Steve Largent
“
The Club saved my life.” If you’ve had the opportunity to spend time around​
a​ Boys & Girls Club, you begin to notice some unique qualities that seem to
inhabit the place, just as constantly as our numerous members and mentoring
staff. If you take a moment to ask a young member why they attend, what
they like about the Club, or what they experience, the life stories will vary and
personal interests will be different, but several themes are ever-present in the
lives of our Club members. The Club is a place of safety & support. The Club is
a place of high expectation & encouragement. The Club is a place of becoming.
The Club is a place where great futures start.
Ever since 1860, when the Boys & Girls Clubs got their start, members have
found a place to meet friends, get help with homework, enjoy engaging activities,
and receive mentorship from caring & professional staff. But time in the
Club is only the beginning. Club members mature, grow, and go on to be prepared
for the world around them, and engaged in their communities– mindful
of the path that led them forward.​And when Club members become alumni,
they make a difference.​
“I always go back to lessons learned at the Club. We discovered
there was something higher than ourselves, and that giving back
to others was what really mattered.” ~General Wesley Clark
General Wesley Clark was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. A West Point graduate,
Rhodes Scholar, and highly decorated Army general & veteran, he served
as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. His great accolades as a military
and civic leader are numerous. But he often looks back at his first leadership
training he received at his local Club, for giving him the motivation and
encouragement necessary to rise to many challenges. More than a safe and
productive place for a kid from a single-parent home to hang out, the Club was
where he learned confidence. “I always go back to lessons learned at the Club.
We discovered there was something higher than ourselves, and that giving
back to others was what really mattered.”
Kerry Washington was raised in the Bronx, New York. A preforming arts devotee,
dancer, and acting prodigy, she is widely known for her acting roles. Between
Continued on page 17
Golf Sponsors cont...
Contest Sponsor
Heritage Bank
Mike Gubrud – Farmers Insurance
Skagit Transportation
Swinomish Casino
Snack Cart Sponsor
CPI Plumbing/SaviBank
Barrett Financial
– Community Caring Project
Hole Sponsor
Wells Fargo
Green/Tee Sponsor
Banner Bank
Bob’s Burgers & Brew
Brown Line LLC
Central Moving & Storage
Conover Insurance
Cook Road Shell
Farmstrong Brewery
Flyers Restaurant & Brewery
Gateway Transmission
Just Peachy Frozen Yogurt
Land Title & Escrow
Louis Auto Glass
Rallye Auto
Safelite AutoGlass
Scholten’s Equipment
SEMRAU Engineering & Surveying
ServiceMaster
Skagit River Steel & Recycling
ServPro Skagit
Skagit Valley Marine Corps League
Smiley Insurance
2016 ANNUAL DINNER &
AUCTION:
Ringmaster – Title Sponsor
Dreamchasers RV
Step Right Up
K&H Print Solutions
KarMart for Kids Foundation
Grandstand
Columbia Distributing
CPI Plumbing & Heating
Continued on page 25
15

Serving the Children of the World
Continued...
Proudly Supports
Boys & Girls Clubs
of Skagit County
Michael Worley (left) was dubbed “Professor Worley” during
#DiscoverDinos week as he took it upon himself to teach everyone at
the Sedro-Woolley Club everything there is to know about dinosaurs.
His friend Sam, holds up a poster of a true to life sized T-Rex jaw.
ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT
#DiscoverAmerica week at the Mount Vernon Club.
Proud to Support
Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
Members of the Burlington Club examine a sample of Skagit River
water and a testing kit. The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
visited the Club to teach members about Salmon science, using the kit
to test the water for critical factors for salmon health.
400 E. Fairhaven Ave. Burlington. 360-757-7000. mgubrud@farmersagent.com
16

Ray, the television series Scandal, and recent Cars
3, her acting career has been highly acclaimed for
dramatic prominence and strength of character. Her
start, though, was through her local Club’s arts program,
and the guidance of a dance tutor. “I will never
forget that the Club was where I learned to speak up
for myself. I discovered that I had a voice, and that
no one could take that away from me. But more than
that, I was cared for.”
YOUTH
OF THE
YEAR
Steve Largent with his wife and grandkids.
Steve Largent hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma. A retired
professional football player and politician, his career
for the Seattle Seahawks as a legendary wide receiver
saw career and long-standing records for catches,
receptions, and touchdowns. Named to the NFL Hall
of Fame, and as a NFL Man of the Year, his legacy
as a humanitarian and leader have been recognized
around the country. For a kid struggling to stay
focused in school, though, he speaks praisingly of the
Club staff who helped him complete his homework,
and stay out of trouble. “I had to learn that all the negative
comments you hear from others don’t matter. I
had to see that there were positive models who cared
about whether I succeeded or not. They made me get
my work done.”
Club alumni can be found throughout every community,
making a positive difference. Generals,
actresses, congressmen, and football players—some
are business owners and leaders, others are athletes
or performers, still others are engaged in civic life or
raising a family. If you take a moment to ask a Club
alumni how they got to where they are, the life stories
will vary and personal interests will be different, but
several aspects are constant. The Club was my home.
The Club was where I was cared for. The Club staff
had high expectations for me and gave me encouragement.
The Club was where I could be myself. The Club
saved my life.
17
Paula Banda
2017 Youth of the Year
“Your huddled
masses, yearning
to breathe free,
The wretched
refuse of your
teeming shore,
Send these, the
homeless,
tempest tost
to me, I lift
my lamp
beside the
golden
door.”
Participants work on essay preparation, & interviewing &
public speaking skills. Selections earn scholarships with the
possibility of moving on to the regional & national events.
Visit www.skagitclubs.org
for more info

CLUBS REACH
SIGNIFICANT
MILESTONE
In 1995, a group of community members began meeting,
believing that the 18,000 youth in Skagit communities
needed a place to go out of school that would provide
positive, useful, and rewarding activities in a safe,
healthy, culturally diverse, and drug- and alcohol-free
environment. One hundred and thirty-five years before
that, Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, and Elizabeth Hammersley
met in Hartford, Connecticut, and because they
believed that boys who roamed the streets should have
a positive alternative, they formed the first Club. With
character development as the cornerstone of the experience,
the Club focused on capturing a child’s interests,
improving their behavior and increasing their personal
expectations and goals. A cause was born, and more
than a century later, found its way to Skagit County.
That initial conversation in 1995 led to the formation
of the Skagit Valley Youth Association, who conducted
their first official fundraiser as a Golf Tournament in the
fall of 1996, in hopes of opening a teen center. As the
group continued to meet and interest picked up steam,
different interventions and options for implementation
were discussed, and they turned to Boys & Girls Clubs
of America (BGCA) as a potential option. Throughout
the initial process, BGCA provided information and
support as necessary, and also connected the group
to local Club staff in Snohomish County. Terry Freeman,
who at the time already possessed 23 years of
experience with Clubs, was the Assistant Executive
Director. It may have been the first time Mr. Freeman
would provide guidance and influence to Clubs in
Skagit County, but wouldn’t be his last. In fact, as late
as 2014, during a transition window between Executive
leadership, Terry was quick to respond to provide
important knowledge that helped lead Skagit Clubs to
a record-breaking Annual Breakfast.
1995
A group of citizens form
the Skagit Valley Youth
Association that would later
become the Boys & Girls Club
of Skagit County.
Logo contest winner: Kyle
Larson from Jefferson
Elementary
1996
JAN 23, 1996:
Part of the original steering committee of the Skagit Valley
Youth Association: (Back Row L to R): Jack Gubrud, Greg
K, Joe Best, & Paul Vance. (Front Row L to R): Pat Pearce,
Marlys, Viginia Learned, & John Shultz. Not pictured:
Babara Ward, Sue Peterson, Nanci Leff, Doug West, Bill
MacDonald, Claudette Gubrud, & Joyce Nagel.
Continued on page 20
18

(L to R): Joyce
Nagel, Claudette
Gubrud, & Jack
Gubrud attend the
Boys & Girls Clubs
of America National
Conference to learn
more about the
Clubs.
MAY 13, 1996:
SEPT 1997:
Club youth at a
Seahawks game.
1997
JULY 28, 1997:
1998
APR 11, 1998:
The Grand Opening festivities at the Burlington Club.
On June 2, 1997 the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
receives non-profit status and the Burlington Club opens on
June 14.
SEPT 19, 1997:
La Conner Community members work to gain support for a
Club.
JAN, 1998:
Alicia Savage, La Conner
youth, named 1st Youth of
the Year for Skagit County.
Blade Chevrolet comes on as a the title Golf Tournament
sponsor.
19

Twenty years later, and the Clubs in Skagit
County are strong, because of the community
support, advocates, legends, volunteers,
families, collaborative agencies, and selfless
individuals who find new and continuing
ways to give of themselves, and encourage
the giving of others, to perpetuate a better
future for a child, when they have no control
of their own situation.
2000
SEPT 7, 2000:
20
As one reviews the historic articles and photos, it is evident
that many passionate and committed volunteers
came together time and again to advocate, plan, reflect,
execute, and secure resources necessary for the Clubs
to provide important, quality programs and services to
youth ages 6-18 and their families. A story is woven together,
piece by piece, and along each step of the way
are the smiles of kids. In good times, and the not so
good times, it is clear that what drove dedicated staff
and volunteers was the knowledge of the difference
Clubs make in lives.
The names are a veritable “Who’s Who” of Skagit
County, and pop-up regularly throughout the timeline.
Club alumni like Don Wick, former Executive Director at
EDASC who credited his time at the Ballard Boys Club
in keeping him out of jail. Or current Mount Vernon
School Superintendent Carl Bruner, who realized the
value Clubs bring in support of Academic achievement
for members. And the legends, with names like Gubrud,
Bartlett, Crawford, Nagel, Potter, Christoferson—just
a few of the many extraordinary community members
who have served kids through the Boys & Girls Clubs,
and through our humble mission, greater Skagit County.
Twenty years later, and the Clubs in Skagit County are
strong, because of the community support, advocates,
legends, volunteers, families, collaborative agencies,
and selfless individuals who find new and continuing
ways to give of themselves, and encourage the giving of
others, to perpetuate a better future for a child, when
they have no control of their own situation. As Clubs
have returned to Burlington, even in a seasonal nature,
much is still left to be done, and the chart of work for the
next 20 years is evident.
Continued on page 22
Jerome Fisher of Fisher & Sons Construction with Jack
Gubrud at the site of the 1st Sedro-Woolley Club.
SEPT 2000:
The Burlington Club moves to the LaVenture Middle
School Campus. Photo circa fall 2001, picturing Angela
Freeberg(right) when she was first hired, with long time
Club director Jill Reid, who is currently the Club Director
for the Bellingham Club of the Whatcom County Boys &
Girls Club. Angela would move on to become the Club
Director of Anacortes for 11 years. She then returned to
the Mount Vernon Club as Area Director in 2015. Angela
has served the Club for 16 years, providing much needed
stability to the organization, through many changes, and
has been an invaluable mentor to many Club kids as they
grew into adulthood.

OCT 1, 2000:
2006
MAR 2006:
The Anacortes Club opens in the old Army National Guard
Armory Building.
2001
APR 2, 2001:
The Sedro-Woolley Club
opens next to Cascade
Middle School.
First recipients of the G.R.E.A.T. Award (Generous,
Respectful, Enthusiastic, Advocate, Thoughtful) at the 1st
Annual Breakfast. (L to R): Kay & Glen Barlett, and Mike
Gubrud & Colleen Smiley(accepting the award on behalf of
their parents, Jack & Claudette Gubrud).
JUN 8, 2006:
2003
NOV 11, 2003:
Members of Leadership Skagit, (L to R) Russ Johnson,
John White, Rebecca Bradley, and Elizabeth Hoffman at
the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new covered play area
behind the Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club.
2007
The Clubs celebrate 10 years.
(L to R): Dubbed “Maggie’s Girls”: Jill Reid, Kim Groms,
Maggie Potter, Angela Freeberg, Renata Hoyle, Karen
Peterka, & Rose at the 5th Annual Some Enchanted Evening
formal Gala.
21

Planning is currently underway for the next
strategic plan that will shape several of those
years, and do so in a targeted, intentional way.
Clubs will remain responsive to the needs
of the community, adaptable whenever
possible, and committed to excellence in
service, transparency, and engagement.
With increasing needs of families, comes greater demands
on the organization to respond. Through partnership
and collaboration, Clubs are able to run efficiently,
but still require that local community support that started
it all. It’s an annual effort, and one that is vital to
agency health, so it will never stop. Just maintaining
current service levels take a tremendous effort, but
with kids on lists, simply waiting to attend Clubs, and
other communities not being fully reached, it becomes
incrementally more difficult to respond.
And so, measured growth, focused on sustainable
and realistic resource development standards, is what
drives the conversation. Temporary funding streams
for specific interventions, like 21st Century Community
Learning Centers play a role, but with the knowledge
that at the end of five years, that level of program service
can not move forward as-is. Instead, these efforts
are considered temporary ‘boosters’, with the resources
meeting the needs of a targeted group of young people,
and in such a way that the need is significantly reduced
within that five year period, so that services can still be
accessed at one of the community Clubhouses.
What does the next 20 years have in store for the Boys
& Girls Clubs of Skagit County? Quality, outcome driven
and data-informed programs delivered to youth, especially
those who need us most, so they can reach their
2012
FEB 2012:
2008
NOV 1, 2008:
Groundbreaking for the new Sedro-Woolley dedicated Teen
Center.
2015
MAR 2015:
Justice Lively named
Washington State
Youth of the Year.
The Jazz’d Up for Kids Dinner & Auction generates $155,000
for the Clubs.
22

full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Planning is currently underway for the next strategic
plan that will shape several of those years, and do so
in a targeted, intentional way. Clubs will remain responsive
to the needs of the community, adaptable whenever
possible, and committed to excellence in service,
transparency, and engagement.
Because of the strength of history of Clubs in the community,
it is a certainty that a future is not coincidental
and simply perpetual, but one of purpose, that honors
the many individuals, businesses, civic groups, municipalities,
school districts, service clubs, and others,
that have invested in the mission. Just like they did in
Hartford, Connecticut, in 1865, in a Club organization
still providing services and meeting the needs of young
people when, and where, they need them.
SEPT 2015:
2016
AUG 15-19, 2016:
31 Club teens embark on the field trip of a lifetime,
sponsored by Tesoro, exploring College campuses and
National Parks.
NOV 2016:
The Jack Gubrud Memorial
Fund is formed, providing
ongoing support for youth
development programs,
creating opportunities for
the next generation of
community leaders.
New extension locations opened at Mount Baker & LaVenture
Middle Schools in Mount Vernon, alleviating overcrowding
at the Mount Vernon Clubhouse, & significantly increasing
service to the important ‘tween’ population.
SUMMER 2015:
2017
JUN 19, 2017:
More than 30,000 meals were
served to youth in Skagit
County, as our Boys & Girls
Club became a provider of
the Simplified Summer Food
Service Program.
The newly remodeled Maiben
House at Maiben Park opens
in Burlington serving kids in
grades 1-7 from 7am to 6pm,
M-F. Boys & Girls Clubs of
Skagit County membership
reaches over 1,700.
23

24
New Initiatives:
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
One of out seven teens are not enrolled in school and are unemployed. Five million jobs will
go unfilled by 2020 because of a lack of workers with adequate credentials.
Preparing young people for an increasingly global
workforce is critically important to the United
States. To remain competitive, a workforce is needed
that is prepared. It is often stated, however, that the
reality is that tomorrow’s leaders are not yet ready to
meet such competitive expectations.
Today’s teens face too few opportunities to develop
leadership skills, to access college and career readiness
programs, and to connect their passions with clear goals.
One of out seven teens are not enrolled in school and are
unemployed. Five million jobs will go unfilled by 2020 because
of a lack of workers with adequate credentials.
To meet this need, additional programs are being accessed,
building upon a foundation of success provided
through many years of Career Launch implementation
at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County.
Teen members at the Club work at a rate three times
greater than their peers nationally during the summer.
The program encourages Club members ages 13-18
to assess their skills and interests, explore careers,
make sound education decisions, and prepare to join
the nation’s workforce. Together, Club staff and volunteers
help teens build their job-search skills and job
readiness, working with teens individually or in small
groups. Mentoring, job shadowing, and training opportunities
round out the program.
The newly engaged Workforce Development Initiative
recognizes a need to begin earlier in a young person’s
life, and that it must encompass career and financial
literacy education, as well as planning and training for
first jobs and career paths. Understanding that Clubs
serve teens with a variety of career aspirations, the
Workforce Development Initiative does not limit preparation
solely to advanced education and degrees, but
encompasses vocational trades, military service, and
other opportunities. Through this, a member is empowered
to identify the career that best suits them, and to
develop the pathway to reach their career goals.

As part of the greater Boys & Girls Club movement,
serving more than 4million youth in the United States
and on military bases around the world, the Boys &
Girls Clubs of Skagit County has access to resources
like the Workforce Development Initiative. Included,
is a Club Assessment Tool, to determine an individual
organization’s operational level and capacity to deliver
career programs, checklists for implementation,
curriculum guides, and other resources to strengthen
integration beyond current levels.
Recognizing the significant need within Skagit County,
now and in the future, for quality employees who possess
key core competencies, the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Skagit County is responding. Fundamental aspects of
career engagement including showing up to work ontime,
communication effectively with team members
and supervisors, and a strong work ethic may seem
simple, but they are not always intrinsic values. Clubs
work to instill these, and many others, and through
Career Launch and the Workforce Development Initiative,
equip members to become adults ready to contribute
to the local economy.
Dinner & Auction Sponsors cont...
Judd & Black Appliance
Samish Indian Nation
Mike & Dianne Crawford
Tesoro
Midway
Barrett Financial
– Community Caring Project
Gardner Orthodontics
Big Top
Annette Booth – Allstate Insurance
Brinderson
Birch Equipment Rental & Sales
La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib
Skagit Bank
Strandberg Custom Homes & Design
Dessert Sponsor
Williams & Nulle
Image Enhancement Sponsor
Simmons Insurance Group
Entertainment Sponsor
Karen & Rick Pitt
25

26
THANK YOU
TO OUR MANY
CLUB PROGRAM
VOLUNTEERS
Voula Alexopoulos
Josh Anderson
Kyra Arnett
Victoria Arquitt
Tina Asp
Alix Baker
Andrew Bacus
Danielle Baird-Russell
Jasmine Balandani
Pat Barrett
Pat Bedson
Cookson Beecher
Dan Berard
Cabry Biddle
Cameron Bigge
Beth Bishop
Alice Bohnker
Annette Booth
Carl Bruner
Ericka Catubo
Matthew Cheney
Georgia Coy
Bekki Cox
Jefferson Cuervo Villa
Caroline Davis
Katie Davis
Jennifer Fix
Kourtney Fleming
Jenna Fonoimoana
Karen Gallardo
Renee Garman
Danita Gilbert
Raymond Goda
Paul Godfrey
Dale Gorsegner
Elaine Gorsegner
Pat Grenfell
Claudette Gubrud
Mike Gubrud
Stephanie Hamilton
Alberta Hendrickson
Chris Hill
Steve Hoglund
Stephanie Hooper
Will Hunter
Christine Johnson
James Johnson
Tracy Peyton Kane
Pola Kelley
Germaine Kornegay
Kelsey Langille
Donnabell Lathrom
Mark Lawrence
Ryan Linman
Anthony Maciel
OPERATIONAL RESERVE
& ENDOWMENT:
Sustainable Resources for the Future
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County will always be dependent on the
support and investment of our community to work on our mission: to
enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full
potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. All but 15% of our $2million
budget comes from local contributions from individuals and businesses.
It’s Skagit philanthropy that ensures that more than 1,700 youth ages 6-18 are
involved in life changing programs that focus on three outcomes: Academic Success,
Healthy Lifestyles, and, Good Character & Citizenship.
As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary of building Great Futures for Skagit youth,
Clubs are working to engage and enter a new phase of capacity building. Sustainability
is at the core of any non-profit organization. To continue providing
quality operations, and be able for Club members to count on the relationships
they build with staff and support they receive through participation in Clubs
programs, it is important to maintain consistency. This can be best accomplished
through two direct initiatives—building an Operational Reserve, and increasing
the size of a dedicated source of Endowment funds.
In spring 2016, leadership from the Board of Directors and senior staff, joined
other high-performing Clubs from around country to begin participation in the
Advancing Philanthropy (AP) Project from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
Recognizing the need to grow resources throughout the Club movement to better
respond to the increasing number of youth in poverty and need in the United
States, BGCA partnered with the Deerbrook Charitable Trust in conceiving and
implementing AP to “significantly enhance Club capacity to raise incremental
funds by strengthening board, building brand and most importantly, providing
training and coaching to increase fundraising capability.”
With an expanded toolset and deeper understanding of the many ways an individual
or corporation can make investments beyond annual support, the Skagit

Kohls Team (Indira, Jenna, Brandi, Leslie, Lindsay)
Chelsea Martin
Rob Martin
Annie McGary
Ben Mummy
Melissa Nelson
Mark Nilson
Emerson Nordmark
Stacie Oakes
Dennis Parent
Tom Pasma
Irene Perry
Mark Perry
Antonio Domini Powell
Nancy Ptacek
Madison Queen
Richard Raymond
Ellen Raymond
Kathie Roll
Betty Romtvelt
Bobbie Sadler
Marian Sadler
Helena Schlegel
Huy Seyler
Holly Shannon
Liz Smith
Brian Soneda
Patricia Stephens
Nels Strandberg
Colvin Swanberg
Kurt Swanson
Laura Swenson
Kara Symonds
Becky Taft
Claudean Talbert
Tina Tate
Rhonda Tingley
Steve Torgerson
Chief Lin Tucker
Kris Tully
Kelly Tuohig
Kristin Twedt
Thor Orr
Bill Overby
Christine Valdez
Evett Van Beek
Estevan Vivanco Meza
Carrie Wallace
Judith Wiefels
Karin Wigen
Gable Wilkins
Officer Katie Wilson
Brian Youngquist
Jon Kull
Josh Tyler
Haley Smith
Kristia Poppe
GAP Team
Marines Corps League
Leadership Skagit
27
Advancing Philanthropy Team has been busy simultaneously
engaging the community in new ways, while also building
additional infrastructure to better advocate and inform
stakeholders about the many ways it is possible to contribute
to the Club and its mission now and for the future.
This year, for the first time in organizational history, the Clubs
have an Operational Reserve. Ideally, this will grow to an industry
benchmark level of 20% of annual budget, minimally.
For now, $50,000 is a great start toward that goal, and represents
about 2.5% of the 2017 budget figure. The Reserve
can be especially important when weathering sudden economic
changes, facing unexpected emergency costs related
to facilities, or, even simply having cash available to leverage
outside resources for further commitment.
Currently, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County has just
over $300,000 in Endowment Funds with the Skagit Community
Foundation, and a private investment firm. While
this can produce about $12,000 annually, no draw for operational
funds is currently being taken. Instead, the focus
is increasing the overall Endowment to provide on-going,
sustainable funds of a greater sum in the future, as our
Clubs continue to grow and expand our reach to youth in
our communities. Ideally, a healthy Endowment collection
will generate as much as 25% of annual operational needs.
To achieve this would mean an endowment of more than
$10million. This is a tremendous stretch for a young organization,
but to maintain our position as leaders in youth
development, we must remain sustainable and effective,
so will continue to work hard toward a full realization, no
matter how ambitious it might seem.
There are many ways to not only continue regular support,
but also make contributions to these sustainability efforts.
One might consider joining the Heritage Club by making a
designation in a will or as part of overall estate planning.
There are many tools beyond this traditional approach that
can not only assist Clubs in reaching these greater heights
and capabilities, but provide for integrated tax planning and
savings. Additionally, in reviewing finances near the end of
calendar year, a household may determine that additional
philanthropic commitments may benefit everyone, including
charitable entities they are passionate about.
Next steps in the Advancing Philanthropy Project process
include finalizing marketing materials specific to these endeavors,
integrating information into a web-friendly format,
attending additional professional development sessions on
the many products available for legacy giving, and launching
a Campaign in earnest. A Committee, led by Board
Past-President Annette Booth is taking meaningful steps
toward reaching these goals, knowing those kids who need
us most are counting on Clubs to support them as they overcome
obstacles and reach a Great Future.

Club members need
to know that there are
caring adults, ready to
provide guidance, and
a strong moral compass
that can lead to success.
28
New Initiatives:
CLUB MENTOR GAINS MOMENTUM
The Club Mentor program is designed to match
adult community leaders with Club members
who are defined as great in need for additional support
in their lives. Circumstances necessitating a
match may include, but not be limited to residing in a
single parent household or one in which English is not
the primary spoken language. Perhaps there is no previous
college or high school graduate at home, or there
are demonstrated behavioral difficulties at school, or a
lack of social and interpersonal skills.
Using data collected from surveys of more than 5
million children and youth from all backgrounds and
situations, the Search Institute released a framework
of 40 Development Assets which identifies
a set of skills, experiences, relationships, and behaviors
that enable young people to develop into
successful and contributing adults. Over time, this
framework and approach to youth development became
the most frequently cited and widely utilized
in the world. The work continues today, to remain
relevant and help steer efforts to effect change
in the lives of young people by all youth-focused
organizations by identifying a limited number of
“gateway assets” through which young people

more readily become academically, socially, and
emotionally well-prepared for life in the complex
and rapidly changing world of the 21st Century.
Club Mentor is designed to bring those assets to
life in Club members, in all eight Internal and External
Asset categories: Support, Empowerment,
Boundaries & Expectations, Constructive Use of
Time, Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social
Competencies, and Positive Self-Identification.
Through facilitated sessions that are group-based,
Club kids will be matched with a community volunteer,
preferably for a year at a time, and develop
strong relationships that benefit both participants.
Continued...
In 2015, roughly half of the graduating class
at Concrete High School did not earn a
diploma. Facing intergenerational poverty
and substance abuse, a young person
born and raised in the community has
substantially more obstacles to face than
peers elsewhere.
Currently, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
is working in two areas to establish Club Mentor
programs. In one community, it is the interest of a
Rotary Club becoming even more involved in direct
service that may be the catalyst needed; in another,
the need for career exploration and inspiration
amongst youth. Both are developed with specific
intended goals that differ from one another, but
these and all future developments have at the center
one purpose: increasing the number of caring
adults a child has access to.
In a very unique context, Club Mentor forms part of
the foundational response in a joint effort of United
General District 304 and the Concrete School District.
Together, with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit
County, an application has been made for funding
21st Century Community Learning Center programs
in that community.
In 2015, roughly half of the graduating class at Concrete
High School did not earn a diploma. Facing
intergenerational poverty and substance abuse, a
young person born and raised in the community
has substantially more obstacles to face than peers
Continued on page 30
29
All 4 Clubs went to on a field trip to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.

Continued...
Burlington members like to ham it up for the camera, on a field trip to
Soaring Eagle Regional Park near Sammamish.
Anacortes youth beach-combing at Seafarer’s Park.
elsewhere. More Concrete 8th and 10th grade
students than their peers statewide report that
alcohol and marijuana are easy to get, with 26%
reporting that they get alcohol at home with permission.
Thirty-six percent (36%) of Concrete youth
don’t think regular drinking by peers is wrong, 64%
don’t think youth marijuana use is wrong, and 66%
believe that the community doesn’t think it’s wrong
for kids to drink alcohol. These potential Club members
need to know that there are caring adults,
ready to provide guidance, and a strong moral compass
that can lead to success.
The Concrete community has been incredibly responsive
to building program efforts, especially
regarding Club Mentor. To simultaneously build key
Developmental Assets, as well as work to increase
awareness and interest in future careers, continuing
training and education, and self-motivation,
Club Mentor will bring partner employers and organizations
together with targeted youth. Through
participation, engaging relationships will empower
youth to consider employment in key industries in
Skagit County, developing our local workforce. Insight
gained through specific curriculum-based activities
with their mentors, who will be comprised
of employees from these businesses and corporations,
can make a significant difference. With their
positive guidance and encouragement, we anticipate
more youth being motivated to complete their
high school diploma and beyond.
Over the next year, Clubs will also be working to
begin small Club Mentor programs at all community
Clubhouses. The commitment is once a month,
for 60-90 minutes, typically in the afternoons at
4:00pm. Club staff take care of all the activity planning
and facilitation, but community mentors are
needed to work on projects and open up dialogues
with Club members ages 8-14. Together, our Clubs
kids and mentors will create memories that will go
far beyond the building of a gingerbread house or
drawing of a character trait shield. If you are interested
in becoming more involved as a volunteer at
a Clubhouse, or would like to consider becoming a
mentor, please contact Katelynn Long, Community
Development Coordinator, at 360-419-3723 x8.
A perfect day for a sandcastle building contest in Anacortes. Youth
went on many morning walks to nearby parks during the summer.
30

By the Numbers:
NYOI: RISK BEHAVIORS & AVOIDANCE STATISTICS
OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SKAGIT COUNTY CLUB MEMBERS(13-18YRS) SURVEYED:
88%
ABSTAINED FROM DRINKING
(PAST 30 DAYS)
YRBS COMPARISON: 67%
100%
ABSTAINED FROM TOBACCO
(PAST 30 DAYS)
YRBS COMPARISON: 89%
100%
ABSTAINED FROM MARIJUANA
(PAST 30 DAYS)
YRBS COMPARISON: 78%
87%
ABSTAINED FROM SEXUAL ACTIVITY
(PAST 30 DAYS)
YRBS COMPARISON: 59%
Each year, Club members 9-18 complete the National Youth Outcomes Initiative survey online at Clubhouses,
proctored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For those 13-18, a section of the survey aligns directly with the
Youth Risk Behavior Survey(YRBS), conducted in schools throughout America. This allows us to see the
difference between member behaviors, and those of the general public, and demonstrates whether or not a
Club is making a difference in any given area.
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For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have
been providing programs, activities, nutritional
service, and much more, to young people in cities and
rural communities, on native lands, and at military bases
around the world. As a member becomes an adult, they
know that we have worked purposefully to elicit three
priority outcomes for their life: Academic
Success—they graduate from
high school ready for college, trade
school, military service or full-time
employment; Healthy Lifestyles—they
adopt a healthy diet, practice healthy
lifestyle choices and make a lifelong
commitment to fitness; Good Character
& Citizenship—they are an engaged
citizen involved in their community, are
registered to vote, and model strong
character. When they accomplish this,
Club staff know they are on their way
to a Great Future.
This Great Future can take many forms,
however. For most, it means becoming
a positive part of their community,
raising a family, working hard to provide
a better life for each subsequent
generation, realize their aspirations,
and cultivate and inspire them in others. For some, their
Great Future can become a little more public in nature,
and with it fame. No matter what though, all remember
the Club the same way—a fun, safe, and positive place
to go when school was out, full of caring adult mentors,
supported by their local community.
Some pretty famous people have attended Boys & Girls
Clubs throughout the years. Many are household names,
and because of the support and encouragement of the
Skagit community over the years, the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Skagit County is excited to begin the next 20 years
of serving youth, with a special fall event—the Great
Futures Gala. The organization has made significant
changes in the last few years, adding unique events like
Keys for Kids, and always reflecting on feedback from
audiences, to continue to hone concepts, and make engagements
fresh and fun for investors and stakeholders.
Recognizing the significant number
of similar Dinner & Auction events in
our area, Club leadership began considering
other ways to raise significant
funds to support the mission of the
Boys & Girls Club: to enable all young
people, especially those who need us
most, to reach their full potential as
productive, caring, responsible citizens.
For such a worthy mission, an
event worthy to attend must match,
and with many hours of discussion
by volunteers and staff, the idea was
borne for the Great Futures Gala.
At the center of this new concept is
scaling back auction components,
and instead focusing on experience,
and providing something that no other
organization in the area can—a
celebrity alumni who can speak directly to the role
their local Boys & Girls Club played in their life, and
the success that it brought. For 2017, the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Skagit County are proud to bring boxing legend
Evander Holyfield to the area, for what promises
to be a knockout event.
With a delightful plated dinner, fine wine and beer, and
the opportunity to hear from Mr. Holyfield about how
his membership at the Club, and participating in their
boxing program, got him on his own path to a Great Future,
it is something not to be missed. Tickets and sponsorships
are available, with more information available
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Continued...
For 2017, the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Skagit County are proud to bring
boxing legend Evander Holyfield to
the area, for what promises to be, a
knockout event.
through Ian Faley, Associate Executive Director, at
ifaley@skagitclubs.org or by phone at 360-419-3723.
VIP experiences to attend an intimate social hour with
Evander are also available.
General Wesley Clark (Ret.), Misty Copeland, Jamie
Farr, Ken Griffey, Jr, Michael Jordan, Steve Largent,
Shaquille O’Neal, Edward James Olmos, Lou Piniella,
Condoleeza Rice, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and
of course, Denzel Washington, are all Club alumni,
among many, many others. Former Presidents, Athletes,
Musicians, Actors and Actresses—the Club was
where their Great Future started, and you never know
who might turn up in future years. Some day, we know
it will be a former member of the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Skagit County; perhaps one that you engaged with
at the Great Futures Gala during Social Hour, or who
welcomed you as you arrive. When you attend, your
investment ensures a Great Future for Skagit County
youth for another year, and make it possible for them
to realize their own greatest success.
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Clubs on a field trip to the Seattle Aquarium.

PROGRAM & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Safety is a top priority for any successful youth
development program. Boys & Girls Clubs of
Skagit County prioritizes safety, of all kinds, throughout
our day to day operations. Our Board of Directors
has set some clear expectations regarding this, and
has developed a Program & Safety Committee to
provide additional oversight and resources that will
ensure that we meet those expectations.
In 2017, the Program & Safety Committee, chaired by
Board Member Tina Asp, is well underway with conducting
on-site safety audits and program reviews.
The committee met in the spring to develop an audit
plan, based on data collected in a 2016 parent survey,
as well as from the National Youth Outcomes Initiative
(NYOI), administered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America
annually. Data from the NYOI indicated that our club
members throughout the organization reported to be
within the national average in areas of overall safety,
emotional safety and physical safety.
While we may be on par with the rest of the movement,
there is still plenty of room for improvement.
The Committee, through information collected from
on-site audits, program reviews and community feedback
will develop a priority list of key projects and investments
to be included in the annual budget. This
will help ensure that our Clubs and programs are in full
compliance with safety expectations and will include
any facility improvements, thorough staff screenings
and background checks, and implementation of new
programs or discontinuation of ineffective programs.
Additionally, clubs will be provided with resources and
guidance to make corrections or improvements identified
by the Board of Directors.
Keeping our kids safe, physically and emotionally,
is not only our obligation, but it is essential to quality
programming that produces the best outcomes.
Through this, we continue to advance in being the premier
youth serving organization in Skagit County.
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A safety assessment of the Anacortes Club. L to R: Tina Asp with Manny Smith, Director of Operations, assessing restroom safety, Club members
playing foosball, members of the safety committee assessing the kitchen, Club members playing in the gym.

PO Box 947
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
THE PRINTING & MAILING OF THIS REPORT
WAS DONATED BY K&H PRINTING
Presents
GREAT
futures
GALA
A Night in the Ring
Save the Date:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017
Guest Speaker: EVANDER HOLYFIELD
www.skagitclubs.org