About the Stratfield
Unit
Since September 2003, the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club-Stratfield Unit has
offered a variety of programs encompassing: Sports, Fitness & Recreation,
Educational Development, the Arts, and Health & Life Skills.
Now, in its sixth year of operation, the Stratfield Unit at First
Presbyterian Church continues to grow in membership and diverse programs for
the “mental, moral and physical development of the young people of the
community.” Many of the programs offered in Southport are also offered here
as well, allowing the Club to add in its effort in delivering wholesome
programs for the youth of the community. The Stratfield Unit also offers
unique programs that are not available at the Southport Clubhouse.
Last year over 450
children participated in programs at the Stratfield Unit. Program offerings
include Small Fry Friday, Munchkin Madness, Preparing
for Team Sports, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Baking Buddies, Curious
Cooks, Pancake Breakfasts, Open Gym and more! The Stratfield
Unit also offers Torch Club for 7th-8th graders and FAST (Freshmen as Staff
Trainees) for 9th graders. Any child in 1st-8th grade can be a member
and utilize the facility. Membership can be obtained at the
main Clubhouse in Southport or at the Stratfield Unit
Clubhouse during
posted hours. Membership entitles children to participate in programs
at both sites and is open to any child, regardless of the
town they live.
About the Outreach at McKinley School
In August 2005, Wakeman Boys and Girls Club began a partnership with
McKinley Elementary School of Fairfield to provide after-school educational
enhancement programs for McKinley students. The goal of
the Wakeman Outreach program is to meet the various needs of McKinley’s
diverse student population through improvement of students’ social skills,
general wellness/fitness and performance in the classroom.
The Outreach also opens the door for children to open-gym opportunities,
after school programs and sports leagues offered by Wakeman, particularly
through the Stratfield Unit Clubhouse. This past year, programs such as
Preparing for Team Sports, Tennis, Chess, Board Game Club, and Nutmeg
Readers Club were offered at McKinley.
Bus transportation is also provided from McKinley to the Stratfield
Clubhouse. The Wakeman Mentoring Program paired 50 1st-5th graders with
students from local high schools this past school year. The teens worked
with the students in McKinley classrooms ninety minutes a day one day a
week. McKinley students develop a strong relationship with their mentor,
which helps compliment their learning both in and out of the classroom. The
McKinley Homework and Reading Clubs benefit from
volunteer teen tutors coordinated though Wakeman.
