This week we had a couple of special guests arrive at the Westside Club from Omaha’s UFL football team, the Omaha Nighthawks. Christian Hopkins (TE) and Wendell Bryant (DT) used one of their bye-week vacation days to speak to a group of teens about their personal stories of struggle and success, and the roles hard work, mental toughness and dedication play in achieving one’s goals. The guys had a great time interacting with our kids, and the teens took full advantage of the opportunity – asking questions and sharing their own stories as well.

A big thank you goes out to Chris, Wendell and the Nighthawks for making this afternoon possible. Please come back anytime!

The Teens at the Westside Unit

For more photos from the Nighthawks’ visit, click here

Chancellor Smith, an 8 year member of the North Unit, has been named Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Youth of the Year.

On Saturday, January 16, Chancellor “Chance” and representatives from the various other Club locations gathered at the Woodmen Tower in downtown Omaha to share their powerful stories of struggle, perseverance and triumph. Each candidate passionately described the part Boys & Girls Clubs have played in shaping them into the positive young adults they have become.

The winner, Chancellor Smith, is very deserving of the title. As a senior at Omaha North High School, Chance is the 2010 class president, captain of the varsity football team and has been recognized as an academic honor student. He is also a journalist for the student newspaper, the North Star.

In the Club, Chance is known for his volunteer work and for the positive example he sets for both his peers and the Club’s younger members. He hopes to be able to develop his passion for helping others by pursuing a Psychology degree and one day becoming therapist – a profession he believes will allow him to give back to others in need.

Upon receiving the award, Chancellor took a moment to thank his family and various Club staff for their roles in helping him achieve the honor. Now, with the full support Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Chancellor’s next stop will be the Nebraska State Youth of the Year competition, where he will compete with other youth from across the state. Good luck Chance!

Click here to watch WOWT’s coverage of the 2010 Youth of Year event.

Below are videos of Chancellor and the rest of the Youth of the Year candidates giving their speeches.

On Tuesday, December 15th, 2009, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands unveiled a new technology center at its Westside unit location. “Many of the children we serve don’t have computers at home,” says Fred Schott, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. ” This [computer lab] levels the playing field for our kids.”

The $25,000 technology lab, which includes 10 computers and monitors, high-speed Internet access and a laser printer, has arrived just in time for the holidays. Donated from Cox Communications and the James M. Cox Foundation, the lab will help support the Clubs in its focus on improving grade-level progression.

“The lab isnt just a gift from Cox, its an investment in the future of more than 1,100 kids at our Westside Unit,” Schott says. “Technology is so important as we work day in and day out to inspire our young people to realize their full potential.”