Submitted by TOGETHER!
Walking into Club House before school at Chinook Middle, Mackenzie was one of the first to arrive. The space was calm and welcoming, a place where she didn’t have to pretend, where being herself was enough. From day one, she felt supported.
Her Club House journey began even earlier, back in 5th grade at Pleasant Glade Elementary each day after school. Over the years, the program became more than just a before- and- after-school activity, it became a second home.
“I was shy and timid,” she recalls. “But Club House helped me find my voice. I learned how to advocate for myself and connect with others.” In middle school, that safe space became a lifeline. The nonjudgmental environment, filled with hands-on activities and caring adults, encouraged her to grow into her most authentic self.
It wasn’t like other programs. Club House didn’t just fill time, it gave students a say in how they spent it. “Staff actually ask what activities we want to do,” she said. “It’s a place where kids and staff respect each other.” Whether they were exploring creativity through the workshops and performances with the Bridge Music Project or going on field trips, Club House experiences were meaningful, local, and different.
On tough days, she knew she could count on the staff to notice when something was off. “They’d pull me aside, offer snacks, give me space to calm down. It made all the difference.” To Mackenzie, Club House was a place where feelings were met with compassion, not judgment.
Two staff members stood out: Kaira and Katie. “Kaira helped me transition to college at Western. Her warmth and encouragement boosted my confidence,” she shared. “And Katie was like a ‘mama bear,’ steady, strong, and always there for me and my little sister. Every kid needs someone like that.”
It was this experience that inspired her to give back. She began volunteering in the summer program, quietly supporting younger students behind the scenes. “I wanted my sister and others to have the same positive experience I did,” she said. Her efforts were recognized with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in her senior year of high school, which she accepted with pride and humility. We are beyond proud of Mackenzie as a recent graduate of high school and being a part of her journey.
To current Club House students, she offers simple advice: “Make the most of it. Speak up. This is your time to explore don’t be afraid.”
She believes programs like Club House are more critical than ever, not just for the fun and learning, but for the sense of community and connection they create. “Kids today need more than academics they need safe spaces where they can grow socially and emotionally, where they feel seen.”
When asked about the risk of losing funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers the federal support that makes Club House possible her voice grows firm. “It’s heartbreaking. If we want a better future, we have to invest in youth now. Programs like Club House aren’t extras they’re essential.” And she would know. She’s living proof.
Students who participate in extended day programs like Club House are more likely to get better grades and are better prepared to navigate the changing world as they grow up. If you believe students like Mackenzie should have the support they need to learn, play, and thrive, please consider a one-time or monthly donation to Club House today. Every dollar helps create stories of success like Mackenzie’s. Learn more and set up your recurring donation here today.
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