Sarah Heinz Boys and Girls Club?

[jmb2626]

Wow, I am certainly amazed at some of the comments relating to Sarah Heinz House. First of all, the North Side isn't a completely-crime free neighborhood but I think some perspective is needed. My husband and I both volunteer at Heinz. My father-in-law works there. My mother-in-law and her sister are both volunteers. My brother-in-law works there, his wife is a volunteer (they are both school teachers as well). They ALL attended Heinz as children. In a neighborhood like that (where they ALL grew up) a place like Heinz is needed. My husband admits that without the fun, moral learning that Heinz provides, more kids would be out on the street. At Heinz, kids are not permitted to hang around outside of the building, they must wait for their ride inside. No-one, besides employees and volunteers are allowed beyond the Great Hall (lobby), this is to protect the children! Employees and volunteers must have a background check and get clearances. They do not allow anyone who wants to have access to these kids. I do not know of ANY instances of kids being mistreated. Heinz provides a safe, fun learning environment for these kids, ALL kids. The new building has allowed even more programs to be offered, from robotics to dance, swimming to karate, sewing to nature exploration. Places like this allow kids to feel safe, become confident, learn skills and independence. It is a place to bolster community and respect, kids and adults alike are asked to remove their hats when entering, a long-forgotten tradition. Without safe places like this, where will your kids go?

Yes there still is a camp, near Ellwood City, on Heinz Camp Road.

To the woman with the gymnastics issue: The reason no-one is allowed besides employees and volunteers is so that no-one who shouldn't be there isn't there. I hope you are not suggesting that a place with a stellar community service record does not know what's safe. We cannot monitor which child belongs with which parent. It is safer to allow only kids and screened adults. Besides, your child being there, without you, is teaching them independence from you. You can educate your child on pedophilia and strangers, etc. but you cannot be there with them every second of every day. Don't you think it's more responsible parenting to teach and give them the opportunity to use those skills. When they are 18 and off to college will you be upset because you can't get an adjoining dorm room?

If any of you have any other questions or concerns, I urge you to come to the House for a tour. See what your kids will be doing, check out the programs offered. There are actually lots of "family" activities, as well as individual activities. Also, Heinz is always in need of volunteers so you would be able to be around while your kids are there, after properly being screened.

Heinz is about supporting families, building self-esteem, and having a fun, safe place to be. Surely you all are not saying that you would rather no place like this exist, especially for the kids who have no where but the streets to be. And let's be honest, it's not about you wanting to hang around, it's about you hovering over your children because you think nobody can be trusted. Let's put it like this: if parents are allowed to "roam" the building how will we know who's not supposed to be there? I'm sure there are plenty of bad people who are either parents or who could look like they were. Sure, you might have your eagle eye on your own child, but what about the children who don't have parents that can be there, or who have multiple kids in different activities. Don't you think it's best for EVERYONE to be safe?

[jhprentiss]

Thanks so much. This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get about the center. I have recently moved here from Boston and had heard about their reputation and wanted to become involved, but it sounded funny to me. I just wanted to hear from some people who'd been members.

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by jhprentiss

Thanks so much. This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get about the center. I have recently moved here from Boston and had heard about their reputation and wanted to become involved, but it sounded funny to me. I just wanted to hear from some people who'd been members.

Been a member for a short period of time, happy to have my son going there, and my daughter for one class (she's to young to take more).

Reason their schedule is bad, one Friday, they closed early, next Friday they closed completely (Mind you that I've paid for my children to be able to go specifically on Friday) the following Saturday it was something else. This Friday they closed yet again an hour early.

That being said, my kids seem to really enjoy their time there and happy to be a member.