In collaboration with Apple, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club is offering coding and creativity programming, helping prepare Fairfield & Bridgeport youth for careers of today and tomorrow and equipping them with critical workforce skills, including creativity, coding, problem solving, and teamwork. “At Apple, education is in our DNA—and we know technology can open doors to new opportunities and give students the tools to pursue their dreams,” said Stacy Erb, director of Apple’s Community Education Initiative. “We’re thrilled to continue supporting the incredible work taking place at Boys & Girls Clubs across the U.S. to help inspire creativity and prepare today’s young people with the skills they need to succeed in cutting-edge careers.” Coreen Ahmad, Director of Character & Leadership Initiatives for WBGC, stated, “As part of our commitment to STEAM education, our Club youth have learned to code using Swift Playgrounds and Xcode and have had opportunities to participate in a variety of programs and special events, including a trip for our teens to learn at Apple Fifth Avenue in NYC.” In December 2021, Apple announced it was teaming up with Boys & Girls Clubs in more than a dozen U.S cities to bring coding with Swift to tens of thousands of students across the country. Since then, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club has launched new programming for local youth, including after-school and summer learning opportunities. Participants use iPad and Apple’s coding and creativity resources to gain new skills, explore art and design, and pursue their passions. “Our Keystone and Torch teen leadership clubs focus on how to use Apple technology to explore and build workforce skills,” Ahmad explained. “Additionally, Club youth use the technology to focus on literacy, including compound words, Word Webby Award speeches, and weather reports.” “We held a Showcase during our annual Hand in Hand awards, which over 300 community members attended. The Showcase included a video of creative and coding work, and Apple technology in use, by Club kids. Attendees also had the opportunity to experiment with the apps and explore the work we have completed,” added Ahmad. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s collaboration with Apple is part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America Innovate, an initiative dedicated to bringing coding and creativity programming to Clubs across the U.S and Germany. To date, this initiative has engaged hundreds of educators and served more than 15,000 young people. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club invites you to visit to see their coding in action! Please contact Coreen Ahmad at coreen@wakemanclub.org to schedule a visit.

The fourth Annual Hand in Hand Celebration, held on April 28, 2025 at the Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse , honored the Youth of the Year and awarded community members for their achievements.

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club teen members across all three Clubhouses – Southport, Madison Avenue, and Smilow-Burroughs, participated in a project funded by The Capital Region Education Council (CREC) to bring awareness of problem gambling to youth in CT. The Public Service videos explore the dangers of online gambling, peer pressure, ease of access and the aggressive targeting of youth through social media ads. Our teen participants felt empowered to become advocates for education regarding youth gambling. We are grateful for CREC, the CSDE, The Hub and Take Part Theatre for the support of this project..

Thank you to everyone who supported ultramarathoner Evan Titus and WBGC throughout the Run Across Connecticut, and for joining us at the Pit Stop Party. Evan is a WGBC hero and has served as an amazing role model for Club youth as he ran for great minds, bodies, and futures!

More than 270 teens and advisors from Boys & Girls Clubs across the Northeast attended the Northeast Regional Torch Club Summit at the WBGC Southport Clubhouse on Saturday, March 29. Teens from six states (NY, NY, NH, MA, RI and CT) had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and workshops, share experiences and explore opportunities for personal and Club growth. Presenters from organizations across Fairfield County, including Mystic Aquarium, Sacred Heart University, Apple educators, Synchrony Bank, Silver Hill Hospital, other Boys & Girls Clubs, and many more, shared their learnings and experiences with the teens. This conference was presented by the Southport Clubhouse Keystone Club with support from the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs & CT BGC Professional Association. Thank you to our presenters, volunteers and advisors for helping to make this event a success!

Avery Pfenning Will Continue to State Competition

Thank you to the artists who submitted works to our 2025 Fine Arts Exhibit, Express Yourself: Imagination Unbound, celebrating the power of individuality and imagination. Selected works will go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Arts Contest. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges on thematic accuracy, visual display & audio quality, artistic merit, creativity, originality and skill level. Congratulations to the first place winners: Visual Arts: Age 6-9: Hayden P. Age 10-12: Guilia Z. Ages 13-15: Keyarra H. Ages 16-18: Ryan G. Applied Arts: Ages 6-9: Harlem R. Ages 10-12: Harmony M. Digital Arts: Ages 6-9: Marcus J. Ages 10-12: Appollo A. Ages 13-15: Jayden W. Ages 16-18: Grant K.

Congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year Finalists!

Creator and runner of the 150 mile "Run Across Connecticut" hopes to inspire others to become the best version of themselves.