Elgin leaders plan bowling bash for at-risk youth
Several members of the Elgin Area Leadership Academy are throwing a bowling bash Tuesday for at-risk youths during spring break.
A team of five leadership academy participants will treat 12 youths from the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin to bowling from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elgin Lanes. The youths will receive career advice during one-on-one mentoring sessions and awards marking their achievements.
The party is a reward for their good grades and behavior, said Toya Webb, a leadership academy participant and a certified professional life coach.
"We wanted to recognize students for their hard work, build healthy self-esteem and motivate them to succeed," she said.
The Boys and Girls Club of Elgin serves more than 500 at-risk youths, ages 6 to 18 years, daily through after-school programs offered at seven sites. Programs include arts, academics, technology, sports and fitness.
"It's always nice when you can get adults to spend time one-on-one with our members," said Cathy Malkani, club president and CEO. "It really makes a difference in their lives and we're always looking for mentors."
The community service project is the culmination of the 10-month-long leadership academy, a program of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. Participants include: Aliana Aquino, a human resources employee at PetroLiance in Elgin; Theresa Higareda, a case manager for PADS of Elgin; Raquel Robelo, an administrative assistant at Elgin Area School District U-46; and Arisleyda Taylor, a candidate for the U-46 school board.
During the 10 months, academy participants meet twice monthly, engage in team-building exercises, hear guest speakers talk about leadership strategies, and get a chance to volunteer themselves.
"It's been an amazing experience," Webb said. "The focus is on volunteerism as well to make Elgin a better place. I've learned to be a better leader."
Since its founding in 1990, the leadership academy has graduated more than 450 community members, said Carol Gieske, president of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce.
This year's 23 participants have been divvied up into teams to organize multiple projects.
"This is a really fun one for the kids and it's fun for our students as well," Gieske said. "It's a really great service project to try and bring attention to these kids and it's an opportunity for students in the class to learn leadership skills and what it is like to put together an event like this."
Two other leadership academy teams are compiling guides with resources for anyone looking to start a small business in Elgin and for young adults looking to volunteer. The information will be available on the chamber's website.
"They are really resourceful," Gieske said. "It is a wide spectrum of individuals who are involved in our Elgin Area Leadership Academy. They are volunteering in every segment of the community. It's a terrific program to empower individuals to become community leaders."
Academy participants graduate in May.