Our Clubhouse made a big move to the library and with new ideas for the program, the change was a positive experience for everyone. It is a great, intimate space for literacy work and one-on-one or small group conversations with bean bags and rocking chairs to make it comfortable and fun. A few of our students who struggle to get enough sleep at home come and rest during a break in this room also. We were able to utilize the school’s makerspace, that is in the library, for group activities. There is a great open space for our guest speaker visits. This is in the hub of the school with easy access for students who may need to grab deodorant before gym or come in off the bus and grab their hairbrush, a sanitary napkin, toothbrush, or a healthy snack before heading to class.

Attendance is a struggle for some of our students. Looking your best, smelling your best and having a full belly has helped, but most of all, spending time in the clubhouse working on literacy has given most of our students the confidence they need to want to learn, and to then be excited to attend school. We have had 2 students go up 3 grade levels in reading, 3 students go up 2 levels, 16 met their actual grade level and one grade 3 student who is beginning to read and spell.

Along with confidence in academics our clubhouse students spend a lot of time working on social skills. I spend most recesses in the schoolyard to get a front row seat to observe how their behavior and social interactions happen with their peers. This provides the foundation for the type of group sessions we offer to the SKC group to support them in building positive and productive interaction with their peers. a. Our group time covers things like etiquette that teaches how to introduce yourself and have a conversation and lessons on  how to make friends and keep them. There is also a literary element, creative element, and healthy snack to meet most of the senses to reach every learner. I look at onegrade 6, who tended to make trouble, not friends, I saw this from day one. By spending time at recess with him, he has done a complete 180. Because of spending time in the clubhouse and one on one support, he can now recognize his negative behavior before taking it out on someone. He has become a great leader with our younger students and finally enjoys being in and a part of the classroom to learn.

We have another young student who has come a long way with managing his anger with the help of SKC. He is so sweet but can go 0-100 in one second and becomes very hands-on aggressive. He has learned that the clubhouse is a place of calmness for him. There is a plan in place for him when he starts to feel and then get upset so that he can remove himself from the negativity and calm down. SKC has made a huge difference for him and with his friendships. When asked what he is most proud of this year, he said getting therapy. What a win!

Like him, many of our students come from broken homes, homes where parents must work 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet, they are rarely home with time to spare. Some of our students are living in homes where they are being raised by someone who is not their parent and often this is a transitional or short term stay without long term stability. School can be a very stable environment for a child who doesn’t have stability at home. I make it very clear that as the program leader I am not a parent, but SKC is here to help them become successful.

Meeting basic needs is a big part of the program for our students who have unstable homes. One of our grade eight students who lives a transient lifestyle with her brother and mom, has no idea where they will be next week or even tomorrow. For her, having things planned in the Clubhouse is helpful for her to look forward to coming to school and being a part of something that is there for the whole school year. She has become a leader within her class showing confidence and joy after joining the Girlz Unplugged group in the Clubhouse. Attending optional sessions after school to gain confidence and with the help of SKC she is now going away for 3 weeks to the YWCA camp this summer.

The trip to the Toronto Zoo was a trip of a lifetime for most of our students. 10 of our students had never left Muskoka and 18 of the 20 had never been to a zoo. We spent the day seeing as many animals as we could while the kids took photos of EVERYTHING!!! We enjoyed a pizza party in Africa right beside the gorillas and then cooled off with the polar bears while watching them swim. I have never heard so many “WOWS” and thank you! Experiencing something that these kids might otherwise not get to do opens their eyes to new opportunities and new and positive experiences.

SKC strives to give every child “tools” to help them succeed in life, not just school, but life, to know that there are many “doors” available for them to open. We also work with the Mental Health Association to give our students even more “tools” that will help prepare them for a better future.

The goal in the SKC Clubhouse is to create a strong sense of wellbeing and community for all. Every child deserves care and acceptance and every child who is a part of the clubhouse will feel that every time they enter our space.

Irwin SKC Clubhouse is excited to partner with more corporate and community partners to ensure sustainability of these critical services and programs for our underserved youth.