COCHRANE— Embracing innovation and collaboration the Cochrane Boys and Girls Club has begun to transition core programs online.
It has taken creativity and teamwork to adjust programs to the new reality of COVID-19, said manager of licenced programs for the Cochrane Boy and Girls Club, Maureen Topp. She added the club worked with families using surveys to understand what needs were most critical to Cochrane area families.
“That helped us guide what kind of virtual programming we were offering,” Topp said. “Really being in a group setting and all of the skills that come with that are really something that was missed.”
The pandemic has created anxiety with families, she said, and this made it imperative to get programs online.
The feedback the club received focussed on youth missing the social aspect of attending the Boys and Girls Club and school, she said because many of the youth are no longer able to see their friends in person.
To help facilitate social interactions the Boys and Girls Club is utilizing Google Classroom to host a variety of online programs.
The organization starts the week off with Guided Meditation on Monday, Topp said, explaining that the club is hoping to start the week off with an activity that is positive and centring, while encouraging youth to work through any anxiety and help them focus on their school work.
The club has also begun hosting Homework Help three times a week. Topp added that bi-lingual support has been especially important for families.
“It’s just about being creative and thinking from the perspective of a kid, ‘What would be fun for you and what would take some of that stress away,’” Topp said.
She added that one of her favourite programs is Junior Chef— a free program that has already proven popular with youth between the ages of 10 and 14.
“They work through recipes together,” Topp said, explaining that the club’s youth team puts a cooking show together from the club's youth space kitchen.
Participants have ingredients provided for them and dropped off at registrants' homes to ensure the program is barrier-free. From there youth put on their chef’s hat and prepare a meal with guidance from Boys and Girls Club chefs.
Topp added that the club has also successfully transitioned the Virtual Teen Drop-In online using Google Meets.
They are also collaborating to ensure programs that were offered at high schools are still available online during the pandemic, Topp said, explaining that they are working to get these activities online as soon as possible.
Topp said she is proud of her team and youth for how they are adapting to the pandemic.
“It’s pretty exciting actually and it shows that we’re a team not only within our organization but within the community,” Topp said. “I think it’s fantastic— people are pretty resilient and I think part of it is it really does take a village to be successful.”
Having connections virtually are incredibly important Topp said, adding that she appreciates how people are transitioning and going with the flow of moving online.
The goal she said is to keep applying new ideas and grow the programs they can offer online.
“There’s a lot going on,” Topp exclaimed. “If any family is struggling with anything it doesn’t have to be keeping your kids busy online it can just be a personal challenge for their family they can connect and we’ll do whatever we can to support them.”
Topp noted that they are working to ensure that if families are struggling with anything the club is ready to help and they encourage those who need help to reach out.
The Cochrane Boys and Girls Club can be found on Instagram at @theclubcochrane and Topp can be reached at [email protected] for more information on online programming.
