Boys and Girls Clubs celebrate 125 years, Cape Breton executive director marks 20
It was a day filled with fun activities at the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Breton in Whitney Pier, N.S., on Friday as clubs across Canada marked their 125th anniversary.
Fourteen-year-old Keanan MacKenzie has been coming to the club in Whitney Pier for three years. He sees the value of what's being offered to youth.
'I was looking for something to do after school,' he said. MacKenzie is a student at Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School across the street from the youth club.
'(It) kind of gives them something to do so they're not roaming the streets, or trying to get involved in bad activities.'
Executive director Chester Borden has become the face of the Whitney Pier club over the past two decades.
'On May 6th, I celebrated my 20th year,' Borden said.
He added one of the most rewarding parts about his work is seeing graduates of the club grow into adults who give back to their communities.
'The young lady over there doing the face painting, she's volunteering today,' Borden said. 'She said to me, 'Do you remember when I used to come to the club?' So, there you go. She's 25 now.'
Another example is Ryan Delaney, who has Down syndrome and at age 23 is back at the club as a staff member.
'I used to come here as a kid, and I came back when I was at school and I came back to work,' Delaney said.
The Eastern director for Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada John Burton said BGC Clubs started 125 years ago in Saint John. He added there are currently 23 clubs in Atlantic Canada.
Burton is from Cape Breton and said he is well-acquainted with the work being done by Borden and his staff.
'He's been a staple,' Burton said. 'Very good mentor, not only to the kids but to staff and community members as well.'
Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Robert Walsh, who presented Borden with a plaque commemorating his 20 years, said that in some cases the Whitney Pier club has kept youth off the streets and out of trouble.
'It gives them inclusion, a place to go and network, make friends, participate in sports, opportunities that they might not otherwise have,' Walsh said. 'We've had people come out of this club who are now serving police officers.'
Club member MacKenzie may follow in those footsteps with the opportunities he's been given through BGC.
'I really want to become a police officer but at the same time I'm thinking about becoming a pilot in the Air Force,' MacKenzie said.
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