Hand in Hand 2023 Celebrates Club and Community
The Second Annual Hand in Hand Celebration honored accomplishments in academics, sports, and leadership.
Over 300 friends of Wakeman Boys & Girls Club gathered on Monday, May 8, to recognize members of the Club and community for their achievements during the 2022-23 school year. Board members, sponsors, donors, and local government leaders were also present to witness the tremendous impact their support has on our kids and teens.
Awards were given to members who exhibited Club values, team players who modeled good sportsmanship, teens who were role models, staff who went above and beyond, and so many others who were true examples of the Club's mission to help members achieve success in academics, health and well-being, and character and leadership.
The evening culminated with our Youth of the Year from both the Smilow-Burroughs and Southport Clubhouses accepting their awards and speaking about their experiences at Wakeman BGC over the years.
You can view a complete list of award recipients here and the photo gallery from the night below.
Photos by Regina Madwed, Capitol Photo Interactive.
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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.
On Saturday, December 14, the WBGC Cowboys held their end-of-season banquet at our Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. The Cowboys program is about much more than football. Our players have worked hard on AND off the field. They have built a community, attended Cowboy Study Hall, and team dinners together. And they have built skills in teamwork, discipline, perseverance, goal setting, and the ability to handle success and failure. Thank you to the parents, coaches, volunteers and donors who helped to make the season such a success. Go Cowboys!
Teens and young adults explored careers in the fields of construction, architecture and engineering, met leaders from union and apprenticeship trade programs, and engaged in hands-on projects at the Construction Junction on Wednesday, November 6at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. Sponsored by a collective of industry partners to mark Construction Inclusion Week, participating organizations included Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, DeWalt, Gilbane Building Company, IBEW Local 468, Iron Workers 424, Kafa Group, O&G Industries and Turner Construction in addition to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. The event was free and open to young people aged 13-25 along with family members. “The Construction Junction directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in Life & Workforce Readiness. We are excited to bring together industry leaders and our local youth to provide mentorship and to explore careers in these fields,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club CEO. “Turner Construction Company is committed to innovative partnerships and programs to cultivate the next generation of trades workers and industry professionals. We are facing a serious gap in skilled labor and collectively are working to create pathways for lifelong, successful careers in construction,” stated Chad McCullough, Turner Construction Company, Vice President & General Manager. Participants also learned about the ACE Mentor Program offered at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, designed to expose high school students to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, including skilled trades. Mentors from ACE companies, such as Turner, work with the students to complete a culminating architectural project. Through this 15-week program, 30 teens have opportunities for summer externships and college scholarships. More information is available here.
