“The Club has been a blessing all around. The kids have grown, they’ve won awards, and they’ve gotten a lot of recognition for volunteering, leadership, and education. The staff here have really helped because English is a second language and they’ve really helped with their reading and assignments.”

Abigail chose to be featured in the music room because she is learning violin and it is her favorite place in the Club.

NGANGA FAMILY

Herbert (Trimet employee), Anne (Caregiver), Abigail (10 years), Eugene (7 years old)

Regence Boys & Girls Club Club

Would one of you like to introduce yourselves?

Abigail: I will. I’m Abigail, this is Eugene, he’s Herbert, and she’s Anne and we were all born from Kenya. In Nairobi.

I am happy to have this family because they encourage me to do things I’ve never done before and they support me in everything I do.

So we moved to America 3 years ago and the first place we went was New York and we went to a hotel then after we went to Boston. It’s freezing in Boston and we could barely go outside. And then in the summer it was so hot that we could barely go outside.

Then we came here. I’m so happy because it’s a place that’s not cold or too warm, it’s just perfect.

That was a really good introduction, thank you! How long have you guys been going to the Boys & Girls Club?

Herbert: 1.5 years. In Massachusetts we were on the waiting list for 2 years to join the Boys & Girls Club. And when we enrolled here the school said “Okay now go down to the Boys & Girls Club and enroll” and we said, “You mean get on the waiting list?” and she said, “No, go there and enroll and start today.”

We thought that was amazing. So we came and enrolled and they told us that they closed at 7. I remember we looked at each other and we said “This is perfect!” Because I was going to be a student and she had work, so we were concerned about the schedules clashing. But the fact that the Boys & Girls Club would have them here until 7 made work life for her easier and school life for me a lot easier.

BGC and Rosa parks made settling in Oregon so much easier than we had even expected.

How has the Club impacted your family?

Herbert: This little guy (Eugene), when he came to America was a shy, quiet, behind the scenes guy. Then when he came to the Club he is a celebrity, he’s winning awards every other month.

Anne: He has so many friends now.

Herbert: He went to Disneyland. How old was he, 7? He was 7 when he went to Disney. He’s really grown a lot here at Boys & Girls Club.

Abigail on the other hand, she’s done everything. She’s met the American Women’s Soccer Team, she has a twin there, Abigail.

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