We said it was coming soon! Here it is. The new IMPACT CENTER opened doors for our teens on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. After a long wait, the teens were ecstatic to see the new Impact Center. High School Club members walked through the new Impact Center with faces of joy and hope as they look forward to all the great and beautiful things to come from this new space. Xsavion, High School senior, said, “This is a big improvement from the Teen Center. I can’t wait to start learning new skills and start projects.” When asked how to describe the new high school center, another Club member said, “You got to see it for yourself! It’s just too awesome to put into words.” Other Club members stated they went to school at Perry and attended Club. One member said, “I never thought I would be back here.” With new opportunities in the Workforce Development Program and opportunities to learn skills vital for the workforce demands, there is no doubt; this center will gain more and more members.
UPDATE January 27th, 2020 The first week in the opening of our Impact Center for teens has been extremely productive and fun. Members built hydroponics (A water system for plants) in our new maker space, made purses in our new art room, and worked on their homework and career development. We are incredibly excited to finally see what our teens will create and accomplish in our new space!
UPDATE February 10th, 2020
Thanks to an extraordinary partnership with School District 300, and the generous support of businesses and families in our community, our Impact Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony took place on Friday afternoon. Speakers who helped share the vision and impact of the high school program included Karen Trzaska- Executive Board Member of BGCDT, Drew Glassford- CEO of BGCDT, Alan Brostoff- Midwest Region Director of BGCA, Greg Johnson –Former Astronaut/Pilot, and Irvin – high school teen member. Attendees were able to get a first look at our exciting new spaces, including the Café (inspired by Seigle Family Foundation), Create Lab (inspired by Stanley Machining), Tech Lab (Inspired by Revcor), Build Lab (Inspired by the LoPresti and Clark Families), and the Sound Lab.
Irvin, 9th grade Club member, expressed on stage how grateful he and the other Club members are to have such an awesome place to come to continue learning and growing after school.
Our donors and community partners who made the project possible were thanked at the ceremony, including School District 300, Dundee Township Park District, Village of Carpentersville,. Otto Engineering, Stanley Machining, Seigle’s Cabinet Center, Revcor, Leasing Associates of Barrington, Hargrave Builders, Middleby, Viking Appliances, Walter E Smith, Home Depot and Main Street Bikes. Members of the project’s Design and Build Team were recognized in appreciation of their technical expertise and craftsmanship to create an amazing space for our kids to thrive in.
Grants & other Donations by Middleby and Abt Electronics donated Kitchen Appliances, Walter E. Smithe donated furniture, Dell Computers, Home Depot, Comcast, Panda Express, and UPS.
(pictured from left to right) Leslie LaMarca (School District 300 Board Member), Nancy Zettler (School District 300 Board Member), Drew Glassford (CEO of BGCDT), Susan Harkin (School District 300 Chief Operating Officer), John Skillman (Mayor of Carpentersville), Greg Johnson (Former Astronaut/Pilot), Karen Trzaska (BGCDT Executive Board Member), Chief Michael Kilbourne (Carpentersville Police Department), Fred Heid (School District 300 Superintendent), Anne Miller (School District 300 Board Member).
More photos can be found here!
Before and After video coming soon!
