{"id":41,"date":"2025-04-21T19:26:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T19:26:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/?page_id=41"},"modified":"2026-04-08T22:46:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T22:46:31","slug":"the-club-experience-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/bgc-clubs\/the-club-experience-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The Club Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; el_class=&#8221;pbottom-5&#8243;][vc_row el_class=&#8221;pbottom-5 ptop-4&#8243;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-8&#8243;]<div class='content-block section-content wpb_text_column wpb_content_element align-center   txt-navy pbottom-3 fw-bold fs-38 lh-140 ls_minus_38' style=\"margin-bottom: 0px !important;\"><div class='wpb_wrapper'><h2>Because of over 600 BGC Clubs, 160,000 children and youth across Canada are given opportunities to grow and develop into their full potential.<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-4&#8243;]\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-lg-card align-center '>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Icon-Food-security_300px.webp\" alt=\"Line art icon of an open book with an apple in the foreground, set against a light green circular background.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__eyebrow bg_green-25'>Food security<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__title'>Club kids have access to healthy and nutritious food<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>We provide 8.5 million healthy meals and snacks to 160,000 kids every year.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-4&#8243;]\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-lg-card align-center '>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/icon-Mental-health_300px.webp\" alt=\"Line art icon of a blue head profile with closed eyes and white clouds behind it, set against a light blue circular background.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__eyebrow bg_blue-25'>Mental Health<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__title'>Club kids have access to healthy and nutritious food.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Because of a Club, 85% of our kids are better able to bounce back after going through a hard time.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-4&#8243;]\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-lg-card align-center '>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Icon_Learning-development_300px.webp\" alt=\"Green line art icon of a graduation cap with a tassel, set against a light teal circular background.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__eyebrow bg_teal-25'>Mental Health<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__title'>Club kids can explore and develop skills that lead to careers<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Because of a Club, 85% of our kids are more confident in their futures.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1757121828031{background-color: #F2F7FB !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;section-padding-top-13 section-padding-bottom-13&#8243;][vc_row][vc_column]\n\t    \t<div class='wpb_content_element vc-slider club-exp-slider '>\n\t    \t\t<div class='slider__wrapper default-theme'>\n\t\t    \t\t<div class='slider__content'>\n                        <div class='slider_top'>\n                            <h2 class='slider__title'>Club Experiences<\/h2>\n                            <div class='slider__intro'>BGC Clubs don\u2019t just show up for kids after school\u2014they show up for kids every step of the way.<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div id='club-exp-slider' class='carousel slider' data-flickity='{ \"contain\": true, \"wrapAround\": true, \"lazyLoad\": true, \"pageDots\": false }'>\n                            \n\t    \t<div class='carousel-cell slide '>\n\t\t    \t<div class='slide__wrapper'>\n\t\t    \t\t<div class='slide__img'><span class='nav-label'>Meet Ya\u00ebl<\/span><img class='img_slide' src='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_7176-copy-scaled.webp' alt='' \/><img class='img_thumb'src='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael-General-s-1.webp' alt='Yael \u2013 The Club Experience story' \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='slide__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='slide__eyebrow'>Club Kid<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='slide__title beta'>Ya\u00ebl<\/h3>\n                        <i class='fa-solid fa-quote-left'><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='slide__txt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I can very confidently say I would not be the person I am right now had it not been for my Club experience.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type='button' class='btn vc_general vc_btn3 vc_btn3-style-solid vc_btn3-color-green_btn' data-bs-toggle='modal' data-bs-target='#meet-yael' aria-label='explore her story'>explore her story<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t    \t\t<\/div>\n                <div class='slide-thumb'>\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t    \n\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class='carousel carousel-nav' data-flickity='{ \"asNavFor\": \"#club-exp-slider\", \"contain\": true, \"prevNextButtons\":false, \"pageDots\": false }'>\n                            \n\t    \t<div class='carousel-cell slide '>\n\t\t    \t<div class='slide__wrapper'>\n\t\t    \t\t<div class='slide__img'><span class='nav-label'>Meet Ya\u00ebl<\/span><img class='img_slide' src='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_7176-copy-scaled.webp' alt='' \/><img class='img_thumb'src='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael-General-s-1.webp' alt='Yael \u2013 The Club Experience story' \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='slide__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='slide__eyebrow'>Club Kid<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='slide__title beta'>Ya\u00ebl<\/h3>\n                        <i class='fa-solid fa-quote-left'><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='slide__txt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I can very confidently say I would not be the person I am right now had it not been for my Club experience.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type='button' class='btn vc_general vc_btn3 vc_btn3-style-solid vc_btn3-color-green_btn' data-bs-toggle='modal' data-bs-target='#meet-yael' aria-label='explore her story'>explore her story<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t    \t\t<\/div>\n                <div class='slide-thumb'>\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t    \n\n                        <\/div>\n\t\t    \t\t<\/div>\n\t    \t\t<\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t    \n\t\t\t<div class=\"modal fade modal__club-exp \" id=\"meet-yael\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"modal-dialog\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"modal-content\">\n                        <div class=\"modal-header\">\n                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" data-bs-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-label=\"Close\">\n                                <i class=\"fa-sharp fa-regular fa-xmark\"><\/i>\n                            <\/button>\n                        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"modal-body\"><div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column]\n\t\t\t\t<a href='#start-Ya\u00ebl' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg  align-left ' target='' rel=''>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper '>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael_image-1.webp\" alt=\"Yael smiling in a portrait photo for The Club Experience story.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>Ya\u00ebl is a former Club kid and rising activist in Edmonton, Alberta.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Like many Club kids, Ya\u00ebl\u2019s Club was a home away from home and a source of support through many key milestones as a teenager.<\/p>\n<p>This is her story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=&#8221;start-Ya\u00ebl&#8221;][vc_column]\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg bg_pale_blue-1 align-right '>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael_CTA-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ya\u00ebl standing outdoors with two other teens on a grassy field.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>2016<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Ya\u00ebl joined BGC Wolfcreek\u2019s homework help and Keystone programs, where she developed a passion for social justice and leadership. Here, she also learned to navigate job searches, university applications, and scholarship applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg bg_pale-green align-left '>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael-CTA-2.jpg\" alt=\"Ya\u00ebl standing on playground steps outdoors.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>2022<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Ya\u00ebl became a BGC Club staff member at BGC Edmonton &amp; Area while pursuing her Bachelor&#8217;s in Criminology. This gave her the opportunity to use the leadership and advocacy skills she gained as a youth to mentor and inspire Club kids.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg bg_pale_blue-1 align-right '>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael_CTA-3.jpg\" alt=\"Ya\u00ebl speaking at the front of a classroom during a presentation.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>2023<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ya\u00ebl was one of 10 National Youth Council (NYC) members\u2014bridging the gap between Clubs and the national team by providing insight into governance and guiding BGC Canada\u2019s work at the national level. As an NYC member, she helped plan, organize, and facilitate a national youth forum that brought together young leaders from Clubs across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg bg_pale-green align-left '>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael_CTA-4.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Ya\u00ebl smiling indoors.\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>2024<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Ya\u00ebl was named one of seven youth of the year across the country, representing BGC Edmonton &amp; Area. As a Youth of the Year, she leveraged her platform to continue her advocacy at the national level.<\/p>\n<p>As a recipient, she received a $2000 scholarship, a new laptop from Best Buy, prize packages, and media training to support her role as an ambassador for BGC Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg bg_pale_blue-1 align-right '>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Yael_CTA-5.jpg\" alt=\"Ya\u00ebl receiving a medal during an award presentation ceremony\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>2025<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Ya\u00ebl was one of 30,000 recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medal nationwide\u2014awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community in Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;club-modal-section&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-6&#8243;]<div class='innermost-section-heading eyebrow align-left txt-navy '><p>The outcome<\/p><\/div><div class='content-block section-content wpb_text_column wpb_content_element align-left     font_weight_default   ' ><div class='wpb_wrapper'><p>Today, Ya\u00ebl is a full-time Facilitator at <a href=\"https:\/\/bgcbigs.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BGC Edmonton &amp; Area<\/a>. She\u2019s also a youth speaker with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jack.org\/team\/yael-witvoet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jack.org<\/a>, a Board Member of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linx.ngo\/board\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leduc LINX Connect Center<\/a>, and a volunteer with <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kids Help Phone<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/makeawish.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Make-A-Wish Canada<\/a>. In the future, she plans to start a nonprofit for victims of human trafficking.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5&#8243;]\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-mini align-left mb-0'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class='cta__img'><i class='fa-regular fa-regular fa-briefcase'><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p><strong>Job-readiness<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-mini align-left mb-0'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class='cta__img'><i class='fa-regular fa-regular fa-book'><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p><strong>Homework help<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-mini align-left mb-0'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class='cta__img'><i class='fa-regular fa-solid fa-users'><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p><strong>Leadership<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta-icon size-mini align-left mb-0'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='cta-icon__wrapper '>\n                    <div class='cta__img'><i class='fa-regular fa-regular fa-podium-star'><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p><strong>Public speaking<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;club-modal-cta&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10&#8243;]\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card md-buttons  align-default '>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='cta__eyebrow'>partner with us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>More support from you means a lifetime of opportunity for them.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href='\/partner-with-us\/' class='btn vc_general vc_btn3-style-solid' target='' rel=''>Partner With Us<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bgcdonors.donorsupport.co\/page\/FUNBFVAKRMA?form=donatenow' class='btn vc_general vc_btn3-style-outline' target='_blank' rel=''>Donate<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Help us support our BGC Clubs so kids in Canada can have the opportunity to thrive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\n\t\t\t\t<div tabindex='0' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card xl  align-default ' style='background-image: url(https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yael-\u2013-Share-Your-Club-Experience_v2.webp);'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='cta__eyebrow'>BGC Clubs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>Share your Club experience<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Are you a current or former member, volunteer, or staff at a BGC Club? We want to hear your Club story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href='\/bgc-clubs\/share-your-story\/' class='btn vc_general vc_btn3-color-text_link_small vc_btn3-color-text_link vc_btn3-color-green_btn' target='' rel=''>Share your story<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"modal-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"close vc_general vc_btn3 vc_btn3-style-solid vc_btn3-color-green_btn\" data-bs-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-label=\"Close\">Close<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row el_class=&#8221;pbottom-5 ptop-5&#8243;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-8&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;76568&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]<div class='content-block section-content wpb_text_column wpb_content_element align-center   txt-navy pbottom-3 fw-bold fs-38 lh-140 ls_minus_38' style=\"margin-bottom: 0px !important;\"><div class='wpb_wrapper'><h2>When young people are supported by BGC Clubs, they feel empowered to reach their full potential. <mark class=\"text-green\">Let kids know you\u2019re there for them, too.<\/mark><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>[vc_btn title=&#8221;Donate now&#8221; style=&#8221;solid&#8221; color=&#8221;donate_btn&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fbgcdonors.donorsupport.co%2Fpage%2FFUNBFVAKRMA%3Fform%3Ddonatenow|title:Donate%20now|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section el_class=&#8221;ptop-10&#8243;][vc_row el_class=&#8221;wave-container white ptop-8 pbottom-4&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"vc_posts \"><div class=\"posts_heading\"><h2>Check out more real stories from BGC Club kids.<\/h2><div class=\"vc_news_link\"><a href='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/category\/bgc-club-stories\/' class='btn vc_btn3-color-green_btn vc_btn3-style-solid' target='' rel='nofollow'>View real stories<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"posts_listing\">\n        <article id='post-86573' class='post' data-index='1'>\n        \t<a href='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/bgc-inspired-me-to-give-back-to-my-community\/' class='post__entry'>\n\t  \t\t\t<div class='post_img'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BGC-Club-Stories-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"Green line art icon of a hand holding a small plant seedling.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='post_content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_cat'><span class=\"label label-info\">BGC Club Stories<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='post_title'>BGC inspired me to give back to my community<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_excerpt'>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column offset=\"vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12\"]Ruben is an exceptional young person in his community and Club, known for his leadership, his commitment to his values, and his ability to uplift others. In 2025, he was named BGC Canada\u2019s National Youth of the Year.&hellip;<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tContinue Reading\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class='fa fa-arrow-right fa-after'><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n        <\/article>\n      \n        <article id='post-86563' class='post' data-index='2'>\n        \t<a href='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/where-my-adventure-really-started-how-bgc-west-scarborough-became-my-second-home-in-canada\/' class='post__entry'>\n\t  \t\t\t<div class='post_img'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sebastian-Cifuentes-photo-1024x559.jpg\" alt=\"Sebastian Cifuentes photo\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='post_content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_cat'><span class=\"label label-info\">BGC Club Stories<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='post_title'>Where my adventure really started: How BGC West Scarborough became my second home in Canada<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_excerpt'>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column offset=\"vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12\"]Published on Toronto.com on November 2, 2023 \u2014 Before I was born, my parents were forced to flee Colombia for the United States to apply as asylum seekers. I was born while we waited to hear if we&hellip;<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tContinue Reading\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class='fa fa-arrow-right fa-after'><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n        <\/article>\n      \n        <article id='post-86549' class='post' data-index='3'>\n        \t<a href='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/story-queer-kids-in-canada-need-bgc-clubs-now-more-than-ever\/' class='post__entry'>\n\t  \t\t\t<div class='post_img'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BGCC_Physical-Mental-Health_section-banner-1-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of hands wearing beaded bracelets drawing a colorful rainbow on paper.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='post_content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_cat'><span class=\"label label-info\">BGC Club Stories<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='post_title'>Queer kids in Canada need BGC Clubs now more than ever<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_excerpt'>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column offset=\"vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12\"]Eight years ago, I came out for the first time in a room full of strangers\u2014and they clapped. It was the first day of BGC Canada\u2019s Get Loud National Youth Forum. I was standing in a room with&hellip;<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='post_link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tContinue Reading\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class='fa fa-arrow-right fa-after'><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post_tags\"><span class=\"label label-info\">2S &amp; LGBTQIA+<\/span>, <span class=\"label label-info\">anti-LGBT hate<\/span>, <span class=\"label label-info\">BGC Canada<\/span>, <span class=\"label label-info\">BGC Clubs<\/span>, <span class=\"label label-info last\">safe spaces<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n        <\/article>\n      <\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1775679915133{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/partner-with-us\/' class='wpb_content_element cta cta__card lg  align-right ' target='' rel=''>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__wrapper bg_pale_blue-1'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/CTA_Help-us-create-more-positive-experiences-for-kids-in-BGC-Clubs.jpg\" alt=\"Help us create more positive experiences for kids in BGC Clubs\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__content'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__top'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='cta__head'>Help us create more positive experiences for kids in BGC Clubs.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__bot'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__desc'><p>Your generosity funds safe spaces, vital programs, and essential services that help kids and teens succeed, for life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='cta__link'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPartner With Us\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; el_class=&#8221;pbottom-5&#8243;][vc_row el_class=&#8221;pbottom-5 ptop-4&#8243;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-8&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1757121828031{background-color: #F2F7FB !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;section-padding-top-13 section-padding-bottom-13&#8243;][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row el_class=&#8221;pbottom-5 ptop-5&#8243;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-8&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;76568&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Donate now&#8221; style=&#8221;solid&#8221; color=&#8221;donate_btn&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fbgcdonors.donorsupport.co%2Fpage%2FFUNBFVAKRMA%3Fform%3Ddonatenow|title:Donate%20now|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section el_class=&#8221;ptop-10&#8243;][vc_row el_class=&#8221;wave-container white ptop-8 pbottom-4&#8243;][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1775679915133{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":86748,"parent":39,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-general.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-41","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}