ukiahbgc

Register for Summer at BGCU

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:58:47 GMT

Summer Registration is now open for BGCU

Our Summer Break Program runs from June 12, 2025 through August 8, 2025. Hours are 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. See Summer Calendar below for Closure Dates and other details. To register for Summer at BGCU you must first me an active member. If your membership has lapsed (annual memberships run with the School Year August through August) you can find the link to register or renew your membership online Here

Once your membership is current you can then register for summer by printing and completing the Worksheet below.

Key Dates to Note:

June 5 - Last day of School

June 6, 9, 10, 11 - Club Closed

June 12 - Summer at BGCU Begins

June 19 - Club Open normal hours

July 4 - Club Closed for Independence Day

August 8 - Last day of BGCU Summer Program

August 11-15 - Club Closed

MEMBERSHIPS DUE FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

August 18 - School Starts - BGCU Returns to Afterschool Hours.

New Commander Wins at the Magic Gathering

Thu, 25 May 2023 23:58:25 GMT

On Saturday May 13th BGCU was happy to host our first Magic the Gathering event at the Club.

We had a good turnout for this Commander for a Cause Tournament. With a 50/50 split we raised funds for the Club while also awarding a cash prize to the winner. The event helped us raise well over $1400, which was more than enough to help the Club purchase much needed new tires for our van. Thank you mostly to the generous donations of Laura, Lynette & Quinlan Burke Family, Jim Porter & Nathan Long.

The event was sponsored and Judged by Gateway Games and Sword & Board . Pizzas were donated by Slam Dunk Pizza. A huge thank you to all three generous local businesses for partnering with BGCU. We’ve provided links to these businesses at the bottom of this post. Dominic Yanez donated several packages of Pepperidge Farms Milano cookies and Gold Fish snacks. Nathan Long donated $50 to feed the players. Our sincere thanks to you all.

It is wonderful to see such a diverse group of ages all enjoying the same activities together. Do you want to learn more about Magic the Gathering? We posted the basic rules for the event previously, you can find it HERE

And to read more about Magic the Gathering visit this site: https://magic.wizards.com/en/intro

We’d like to congratulate the Tournament Winners seen below .

Left to right: Wesley Spence 2 ^nd Place; Justin Schmeck 3 ^rd Place; Alfredo Cardona 1 ^st Place Winner; and Quinlan Burke 4 ^th Place. Quinlan also generously donated $100 to the Club and brought additional donations from his family.

And here is a group of gentleman to thank for their time and assistance. Tony Pearce from Gateway Games , Cody Sierra from Sword & Board , Adan Ortega and Leo Tapia, BGCU Staff members . It was a long day and we thank you for your hard work. Not pictured, but always working behind the scenes for all our events, thank you to Kim Mercier, BGCU CEO.

BGCU encourages you to support these local businesses that are generous supporters of the Club. You can find their websites by clicking their logos below:

This event could not have happened without the organizer of the tournament, Tony Pearce, owner of Gateway Games . Several years ago Tony was a BGCU Staff member, so he knows the importance of mentoring our youth, finding fun safe group activities, and community involvement.

BGCU would love to host future magic tournaments. If you would like to participate in our next event, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade Stands: Ukiah's Boys & Girls Club CEO Puts the Fun Back in Entrepreneurship

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 04:51:27 GMT

Picture this: the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah, Kim Mercier, is swapping her office chair for a spot behind a lemonade stand. Why, you ask?

To bring back the entrepreneurial spirit that's been hiding behind screens, lockdowns, and pandemic restrictions. It's time to add some zest back into our lives and rekindle the fire of creativity and hard work in our young ones!

Mercier firmly believes that entrepreneurship isn't an innate quality. Instead, it's about fostering the right knowledge and attitude early on. With kids glued to video games and outdoor playtime dwindling, we need a refreshing change of pace.

Recognizing that kids crave mentorship and group involvement when exploring entrepreneurship, Mercier and the Ukiah Boys & Girls Club have introduced the Lemonade Stand program: a step-by-step, zest-filled adventure that takes youngsters from daydreams to business plans, teaching essential skills along the way.

The program covers everything from brainstorming ideas, marketing strategies, and financial planning to customer service and teamwork. It's a comprehensive and interactive experience that equips kids with the tools they need to succeed in any entrepreneurial venture.

The sweetest part? This program encourages kids to spend, save, and share their profits, fostering a sense of community and generosity. As they learn to balance personal gain with giving back, they grow into compassionate leaders who value social responsibility.

The Ukiah Boys & Girls Club aims to prepare our future trailblazers through engaging, hands-on programs brimming with life skills, character education, and entrepreneurial know-how. The ultimate goal? To transform today's youth into tomorrow's business leaders, social advocates, community volunteers, and forward-thinking citizens.

It's time to revive the can-do attitude and teach our kids the value of hard work and chasing their dreams. As a society, we need to tackle challenges like the diversity pipeline, traditional success vs. entrepreneurship, and revamping our education systems to embrace new approaches.

So, let's raise a glass of lemonade and toast to a brighter, more entrepreneurial future for our kids, one lemonade stand at a time! Here's to empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators, one sip of sweet success at a time. Cheers!

Magic The Gathering Tournament

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 01:04:13 GMT

Mark your calendars for Saturday May 13th as BGCU hosts its first series of Magic the Gathering Tournaments.

Commander for a Cause!

The tournament will be held at Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah (1640 S. State Street, Ukiah).
May 13, 2023 1:00 pm.
Sign ups open at Noon.
Entry Fee $30 per player.
Prizes are 50/50 Split - with half the proceeds being donated to BGCU, half given in prizes.
Magic the Gathering
Format: Commander 1v1 using Pod rules and ban list, Swiss
Sponsors: Gateway Games and Sword and Board providing prizes, judges and support

Help raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah while competing for a cash prize in this competitive tournament sponsored by Gateway Games and Sword & Board

Proceeds for this event will be split 50/50 with the tournament winner and Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah along with pizza, snacks and drinks being sold to benefit the Club.

In the Magic game, you play the role of a planeswalker, a powerful wizard who fights other planeswalker for glory, knowledge, and conquest. Your deck of cards represents all the weapons in your arsenal. It contains the spells you know and the creatures you can summon to fight for you.

Trading card games like the Magic: The Gathering TCG combine collectible cards with a strategy game. You don't know what you'll get in a Magic booster pack. You just start a collection and trade with other players to get the cards you want.

The best part about a trading card game is that it's always changing. You design and build your own unique decks, and each Magic game you play is different. New Magic expansions are released a few times a year, and each new expansion brings new ways to stupefy and defeat your opponents.

Come join us for an afternoon of fun at the Club!!!

For Event Details: (707) 680-0266
Willits@gateway-games.com

Congratulations Jade

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 02:26:22 GMT

Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah is proud to announce our 2023 Youth of the Year and $1,000 Scholarship Recipient - Jade Rodriguez

What is Youth of the Year?

At a national level for 75 years, the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year America’s premier leadership and recognition program for teens.

These amazing young people represent the voice and spirit of hope for America. Inspiring all kids to lead. To succeed. To inspire.

From a local level each year, one exceptional Club member is selected by the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah Board of Directors, CEO and staff to be the Youth of the Year and $1,000 scholarship recipient, serving as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth as well as a voice for all of our community’s young people. Over the years, these individuals have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives. National and local Youth of the Year winners have achieved success in a variety of industries, including entertainment, politics, business and sports.

Jade was awarded her Scholarship during our Crab Feast last month and we are very proud of the work she does here at the Club and her own scholastic success. Jade originally joined BGCU as a volunteer before being hired as a program staff member in October 2022, and she now works with our kindergarten members.

For one of our National Programs Jade has decided to do a program involving sewing. In her words "Many of the Club members have shown great interest in wanting to make things". Some of her possible projects would be sewing stuffed animals, making clothes for dolls, or personal hand-sewn bags.

Jade has also stated "Being part of the Kindergarten program is significant to Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah since kindergartners are introduced to many fun activities and also get homework assistance."

First and foremost, I want to thank the Boys & Girls Club for choosing me to become the Youth of the Year. I was given the Youth of the Year award in recognition of my ability to be an advocate to youth at the Boys & Girls Club. Earning this award has not only made my single mother proud but made me realize that helping the community is significant in many ways. Helping the community assists society while at the same time improving individuals social and communication skills.

I started volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club in search of gaining experience in working with youth and giving back to the community such as working in a program similar to where I spent a lot of my childhood. I was constantly in after-school programs and seeked comfort and safety when being there. My goal is to make Club members learn, feel safe, and overall enjoy themselves in activities at the Club.

With earning the scholarship, I am saving it to a pply it for college and education expenses such as books and supplies. I am most excited about being the first generation in my family to continue to pursue a higher education. I plan to motivate my siblings to continue their education as well. Educationally, I continue to maintain a 4.06 GPA and thrive in my after-school activities like my job at the Boys & Girls Club. Furthermore, I am grateful for the chance at being recognized in my community and being the Youth of the Year.

Jade Rodriguez, Youth of the Year

Below is a cute video of Jade and fellow staff member Krystina with their Kindergarten Class.

For more photos of our fun 2023 Crab Feast visit our Facebook Page

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 09:14:50 GMT

Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah Gets a Special Delivery for the Holidays

— Santa Claus, along with his reindeer friend from T-Up Ukiah, delivered a very special gift to The Boys and Girls Club of Ukiah (BGCU) today. Thanks to the generous grants from the Cleo Foundation and T.R. Ericksen Foundation, BGCU was able to purchase a 12-passenger along with certifying and training staff members as drivers.

“We are thrilled to have a safe vehicle to transport our club members from school to club and throughout the community to experience opportunities they otherwise may not have,” said Kim Mercier, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Ukiah. “As part of our Driving Great Futures Initiative, this critical resource is vital in helping local youth get the opportunity to attend at the Club to engage in programming and activities like homework help, STEM learning, coding, sports, and leadership clubs.

Since the 12-passenger van is one that is gently used, Reed Reinhart from Reinhart Oil Inc, who has an ongoing association supporting the valuable efforts of the BGCU, was happy to provide his company’s contribution by making minor upgrades to ensure that the vehicle stays in good working order.

“We are so grateful to Reed Rhinehart, the Cleo Foundation and T.R. Ericksen Foundation and are honored to be selected as a recipient for a passenger van to help our Club youth and families overcome transportation barriers,” said Mercier.

“After-school activities help young people develop crucial life skills and thrive far into the future,” said Denise Gorny, Board Member and Co-Founder of Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah, “We look forward to seeing how expanded transportation can make an even greater difference in the lives of Club youth and families.”

24th Annual Chili Cook-Off

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 17:53:52 GMT

24th Annual Granite Construction Chili Cook-Off Returns to Ukiah

One of Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah’s longest standing fundraising tradition, Granite Construction’s annual Chili Cook-Off’s, returns to premiere Friday, September9, 2022 after a 3-year interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As it has been for the last 24 years, Granite Construction will host this fantastic event. With their support, local businesses and community groups will compete for recognition as the top chili cooks—and other fun awards like People’s Choice or Crookedest Team at the Alex R Thomas Plaza downtown Ukiah. – tasting begins at 6pm.

“We’re expecting to see larger than average numbers this year,” said Jason Woelbing, the organizer with the Granite Construction. “With everybody not getting to go anywhere for last 3 years, you know, they missed it.”

All proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah to impact and change the lives of over 100 Club members that are currently enrolled, according to Chief Executive Officer, Kim Mercier.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah, for the past 29 years, has always provided a tangible measure of hope, to our community,” said Mercier. “The funds raised from Granite Construction’s annual fundraiser has always provided our Club the means to offer youth what they need and want most: adults who respect and listen to them, a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves, and interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits.”

Mercier said their main goal ties back to their mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need the Boy & Girls Club of Ukiah the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. She said one of their short-term goals is to rebuild after the pandemic.

Within that expansion goal, is to purchase a 15-passenger van to combat the shortage of school bus drivers – resulting in our youth with limited to no access of our programs.

“This will be my first year to be a part of this amazing event, we are all so excited to finally be able to enjoy an evening of outdoor fun with our family, friends and neighbors.” said Mercier.

Hometown Heroes

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 03:34:29 GMT

Our hometown heroes visited BGCU this week - what a great experience for our members.

We are so grateful for our many local heroes that came to visit our Club this week and chat with our Members. BGCU welcomed Sheriff Matt Kendal l, members of Ukiah Police Department , the Fire Department , California Highway Patro l (and "Chip"!), US Army Sergeants Smith & Olmos , Dr. Marvin Trotter and ER Nurse Becca Denou . Wow, what a week!

And then there was the water.....

Thank you Firefighters!

Members had the chance to see the firetruck up close, watch demonstrations, speak on the bullhorn, and of course - get wet! Such a fun and exciting day

New CEO Announced - Welcome Kim Mercier

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 03:20:44 GMT

The Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah (BGCU) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Kim Mercier as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Boys & Girls Clubs of Ukiah is very pleased and excited to announce the appointment of Kim Mercier as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. Mercier is a proven leader who is known for her compassion, vision, and significant accomplishments. Kim brings BGCU a wealth of skills and expertise gained over the course of 20 years in an exemplary career with nonprofit management, as well as a decade of working in the judicial system as a former Magistrate for the State of Maryland and a Juvenile Officer and Court Referee for the state of Michigan.

Motivated by a deep commitment, based on her personal youth experience growing up in the Upper Peninsula part of Michigan as an impoverished immigrant from Vietnam, Kim has built her career around helping others. Kim speaks openly and passionately about her commitment to empower youth in systematically disadvantaged communities. Mercier’s role in leading BGCU is grounded in the belief that everyone has unique potential, and our call is to help one another find it. Kim appreciates that this work of inspiring and igniting young people to step into their fullest potential is best served by challenging herself and the staff to do the same.

Kim earned a Master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

“I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve as CEO for this incredible organization,” says Mercier. “I am humbled to step into this role and look forward to working with the board, staff, and our community to grow upon the impact we can make amongst our youth in Ukiah - As the world is quickly changing, I see a greater need to embark on a growth phase to keep pace with the increased demands of services to advance our efforts and positively impact lives.”

As CEO, Kim’s responsibilities include leading the organization’s strategic direction, oversight of organizational operations, financials, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships. The CEO also serves as the organization’s primary ambassador and lead communicator.

Ms. Mercier has had strong success in developing campaigns that helped to grow planned gifts and donor support in her previous positions working with non-profits and tribal communities. “Fund raising and corporate support is critical to the health of Boys & Girls Club in every market” commented Mercier. “I am thrilled to now be CEO in Ukiah where corporate giving and community pride have always been such a cornerstone of the area. The generosity of the business community is remarkable. I fully expect Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah will continue to thrive and serve the youth and families that need us most.”

Since 1994 BGCU has provided our youth with a safe, fun, and supervised environment in which to participate in positive activities each day after school and most holidays. Every day we strive to improve each child's life by instilling self-esteem, courage, and positive values through our many educational programs. Our members gain confidence and develop a sense of usefulness and belonging. Our mission is to inspire and enable all our members to reach their full potential and to become caring and responsible adults.

For more information on how you can partner with BGCU, contact Kim Mercier at 707-467-4900 or kmercier@ukiahbgc.org

Community Service Project

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 22:35:35 GMT

On March 31st, some of our Members that were here during Spring Break volunteered to help clean up our campus.

Here is the group of 10 members that volunteered to help by picking up trash and cleaning up our front campus, and the Grace Hudson playground: Elani, Amariz, Nadel, Axxcel, Aaron, Annavaya, Rose, Brandon, Tyler & Nael (and Volunteer Kaite in back). Way to go kids!! You all did a great job.

During our National Programs Club Staff Lori led the group around the front of the Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center, near the parking lot and on the Grace Hudson Playground and they filled up FIVE large trash bags! Very impressive. These Club Members were enthusiastic and proud of their accomplishments. And we are proud of their hard work and great results.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America have six core National Program Categories: Sports & Recreation, Education, The Arts, Health & Wellness, Workforce Readiness, and Character & Leadership.

While local Club organizations are encouraged to develop and implement programs that best meet the needs of their communities, BGCA offers local Clubs tested, proven and nationally recognized programs that closely align with the developmental needs of all young people.

You can learn more about National Programs by clicking the image below.

Pillow Case Project

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 00:34:16 GMT

Pillow Case Project with Red Cross - Friday 4/8/22

Dear parents,

On Friday April 8th from 4:00pm to 5:00pm, Red Cross will be presenting the Pillowcase Project to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.

Members who participate in The Pillowcase Project will be able to:

Identify the best ways to stay safe during emergencies that can occur in their communities,
Identify the best ways to prevent and stay safe during a home fire,
Use coping skills to help manage stress during emergencies and in everyday situations, and
Gain confidence in their abilities to be prepared for emergencies through hands-on activities.

Would you like more information about the the Pillow Case Project? Details are below, or you can click the links below for downloadable pdf files - both English and Spanish are provided.

Member Art Work

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 23:15:33 GMT

This week on the blog I want to showcase some recent Member Artwork at the Club

We have several pieces displayed in the lobby - come take a look next time you are at the Club.

Spring Break 2022

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 23:02:05 GMT

It's time to register for Spring Break at the Club

You will need to complete a Spring Break Registration Workshee t to be enrolled for the week - you can download the form here . We are pleased to let you know that UUSD Students will not need to pre-pay for their break fees thanks to UUSD partnership this year.

We again want to thank Kiwanis for their endless support of BGCU by providing meals for our Members during Spring Break. They will be feeding our members on Wednesday and Friday. Also excited that Little Caesars will be donating 10 pizzas for Club lunch during Spring Break. Thank You!

Big Panda Thank You !

All of you who ordered during our Panda Express Fundraiser this week - thank you so much. If you missed it, you'll have another opportunity next month.

We'll share the info later.

Panda Express Fundraiser 3/16/22

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:44:32 GMT

Panda Express Fundraiser 3/16/22

We are excited to partner with Panda Express for this one day Fundraiser. Make your lunch or dinner plans for Wednesday March 16, 2022 by ordering from Panda Express. Our fundraising code for online orders is VFR907446 . Be sure to enter this code during checkout. You can place online orders with their App or online at order.pandaexperss.com

This is available at all locations, you don't need to be local to help us raise funds on March 16. Just order online with our code listed above.

Thank you for joining us - we appreciate you!