How the Art Barker Clubhouse Turned Compassion into Action

Summers at the Boys & Girls Club are always unforgettable—not just for our members, but for our staff as well. When you have a team that consistently goes above and beyond, the experience becomes even more special. During our 2025 Summer Program at the Art Barker Clubhouse, we built meaningful connections, explored new places through field trips, and completed a youth-led service project that left a lasting impact.

This summer, Olivia—who works the front desk at our Milliken location—empowered our members to take the lead on a special community service initiative. While Olivia helped organize the effort, the creativity and drive came from the kids themselves. Inspired and full of ideas, our members decided to host a Yard Sale and lemonade stand to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.

As part of our Service & Leadership program, our 4th grade and up members compiled a list of causes that mattered to them—supporting single moms, the LGBTQ+ community, the Food Bank, the Children’s Hospital, and animal shelters. They then visited each grade level, explained what each charity does, and collected tally votes from every group in our Clubhouse. After thoughtful discussion, the Clubhouse chose to support A Woman’s Place in Greeley, a local organization that provides shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence.

Once the decision was made, Olivia reached out to A Woman’s Place to ask what items were most needed. The organization generously offered to visit the Clubhouse and speak with our members about their mission and the impact of their work. After hearing their story, our members were more determined than ever to make a difference.

The next challenge was collecting items to sell. After brainstorming, our members created a flyer asking Club families for donations. The response was overwhelming. Each morning, members arrived with bags and carloads of items. The families of the Art Barker Clubhouse showed up in a big way, turning our members’ vision into reality.

Then came the fun part—getting organized! Our members were thrilled as donations rolled in. Families contributed a variety of goods: stuffed animals, toys, home décor, clothing, and more. Over the next several days, members sorted items into bins, arranged displays, and priced each item.

But preparing the items was only half the job—we had to make sure our members were ready, too! Many wanted to help run the sale, so we created a sign-up sheet with different roles. From greeting shoppers and running the lemonade stand to managing money and helping with sales, there was a job for everyone. The excitement was building, and our Clubhouse was buzzing with teamwork and anticipation.

The date was an easy decision: what better way to end summer than with a bang? We scheduled the Yard Sale for the second-to-last Friday of the summer program. To get the word out, our members created eye-catching neon signs and posted them throughout the neighborhood—you couldn’t miss them!

On Yard Sale Day, our members jumped into action early, setting up tables, organizing donations, and prepping the lemonade stand. By 9:30 AM, everything was in place, and we waited eagerly for our first customers.

What followed was a whirlwind of activity! We were thrilled by the incredible turnout—so many community members came by to shop, enjoy lemonade, and support a great cause. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised an amazing $500 to support A Woman’s Place!

With the funds in hand, our members were divided into small groups, each tasked with a mission: to shop for essential items needed by A Woman’s Place. This wasn’t just a shopping trip—it was a real-world challenge in teamwork and budgeting. Each group had to prioritize necessities, make thoughtful choices, and stretch their dollars. It was a fun yet eye-opening experience as they learned how quickly a budget can disappear when shopping with purpose.

With their shopping lists finalized, it was time to hit the stores! Olivia led the way as members set off on a special field trip to purchase the items they had carefully chosen. Not only did the kids enjoy the thrill of shopping, but they also felt a deep sense of purpose. Knowing they were buying supplies for a cause they believed in made the experience even more meaningful.

Once all the items were brought back to the Club, we coordinated with A Woman’s Place to arrange a pickup. Seeing the project come full circle was incredibly rewarding. This service project wasn’t just meaningful for the women and families who will benefit—it was also a powerful, unforgettable experience for our members. They didn’t just raise money and shop for supplies; they made a real difference.

It’s the kind of experience that leaves a lasting impression—one that our members will carry with them for years to come.