Power of the Club (Radio) - Chantelle Halstead

I worked at the Lapwai Boys and Girls Club from 2000 until 2003. I instantly formed a bond with the club staff and members. To this day, my friendships with the staff are still strong and I feel a sense of pride in the kids that attended the club while I worked there.

I left the Club to start working for the Tribe, we wanted to start a family and I needed a full time job. Shortly after I quit working at the club I was pregnant with our first child, Dylan. I always knew that he would be a full blown club member. A couple years later we had another son, Logan. We always teased the Club staff and told them they were going to have their hands full with Logan.

Before Dylan turned 5, I turned in his registration paperwork so I could give him a club card for his birthday. That was the best present he received that year. Logan turned 5 in February so he had to wait until summer to attend, that was the longest few months of his life. He was so upset his brother could attend but he still had to go to daycare. During the summer, both of the boys will wait outside of the Lapwai Club for the doors to open, they think it’s really cool if they are the first kids in the building. They get to attend the Lewiston Club during the school year, which helps us tremendously, since we are able to utilize their Kindergarten program, club cab and early bird program. I would rather our boys go to the club where they are forming friendships, learning important virtues and have the chance to experience the awesome programming, instead of going to a daycare where they would be in the same routine or watching TV.

The Club staff has helped us teach our boys about virtues, responsibility, friendships and respect. Anytime our boys are going through a difficult time or learning those fun life lessons, the club is right there helping us teach them. At the same time these Club Staff are praising our children and encouraging them to thrive. At times I feel like these Club Staff are another member of our family. Just recently, we have seen how concerned the staff is for our boys. One of our boys had a tough day at school, I was working and his teacher told me about his disruptive behavior, which is not a normal for our son, so I immediately called the Club staff. They were able to visit with him to see what was going on and gave him tips on how to handle the situation better next time. Even though we could have talked to him about this at home, it made a huge impact on him that these club staff would take time to visit with him. We haven’t had an issue like this again, but if we do, I know that we will have a great support system with the Club.

As I was watching my boys grow in the Club, I became more involved with the Club. Whether it was attending National Night Out or organizing lunches for the Lapwai Club Members. Then, my employer thought it would be a great idea for me to volunteer for the Scholarship Committee. I was very excited, since I like to organize events and obviously since the Club has been such a blessing in my family’s life. As I started to volunteer on the scholarship committee, I started to drag my family into helping too. My husband and boys would help me sell Keep the Ball Rolling Tickets or pick up trees. Sometimes, as parents we think our children are too small to be involved. I was proven wrong! Logan was 5 and I thought he would be too small to volunteer for the Christmas Tree Pick Up, but he was so excited to help his club, he was soon on a route and managed to find a tree that was just his size to load on a truck. Watching my baby growing up to invest his time and energy into something that brings him so much joy was an amazing feeling.

We would never be able to instill these life lessons in our children if it wasn’t for the Club. They have shown our family how great it feels to give back to an organization that has helped us in so many different ways.

We needed somewhere for our children to go before and after school. The Club is that place and so much more. They are not a babysitting service, the Boys and Girls Club is a place that makes children feel like they belong, no matter what home life is like, what race, what social status your family is, they see a child and only want the best for them. I have so much faith and confidence, that my children will grow up to be productive, respectful citizens, and we will not be the only ones that will teach them this – the Club has given them a place to grow and learn how to become this and so much more.

Being able to volunteer for the club means so much to me for so many different reasons. I have never seen a group of people, volunteers and staff that are more dedicated and driven to make a positive place for kids. I feel very fortunate to have a chance to volunteer my time for the Club. I have also been able to meet new people and form new friendships. This year I was a Youth of the Year judge, I walked away from this experience inspired by these teenagers that in a short amount of time went through some tough times but were more determined and able to make a difference in their life because of the tools the club has given them. I have a feeling that our family will always be involved with the club, even after our kids have grown and moved on, this organization has given so much to our family that we want to support it so it can continue to thrive.

Chantelle Halstead - Former Club Employee, Club Volunteer, Club Mother