Duneland Boys & Girls Club Member Shares Love of Sign Language

Lilly-Putchaven-Teaching-Sign-Language-ClassOne of the core beliefs of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is to provide life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. This belief is being taken to a whole new level at Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Duneland Club!

Lilly Putchaven, a six-year member of the Duneland Club approached Club Director Joe Juarez about sharing a special skill she has – sign language. “Lilly was very excited when she brought this idea to me,” states Joe Juarez. “Our organization is all about hope and opportunity and about providing leadership occasions for our Club members. Lilly was so enthusiastic about teaching other Club members her gift of sign language, so the Club helped her to start a class right away.”

Since inception, the Duneland Club’s Sign Language Class has had a core group of twenty Club members that meet every Wednesday at 4:00 PM. “I just wanted to give other members, and my friends, a skill that they could use for the rest of their lives,” states Lilly.

Since moving to the new location, the Duneland Club has seen increases in both Club membership and average daily attendance. “Our Club is just full of kids because of the types of programs that are offered here on a daily basis, like Lilly’s sign language class. Right now, Lilly and her group of Club member students have been meeting outside because our indoor program space is being utilized for so many other fun and interesting programs. They will continue their classes outdoors until the weather will not allow it any longer. I am so proud of Lilly for taking something she loves to do and sharing it with her fellow Club members!”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is in the midst of a capital campaign for the Duneland Club and has raised 78% of its $4 million goal to expand and enhance the Club facility so more programs, like Lilly’s sign language class, can be offered to many children. To learn more about the capital effort, visit bgcpoco.org/newclub!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. Clubs are open after school and provide a great place for youth in grades K-12 to meet friends and have fun while in a safe, supervised environment. When school is out, our Clubs are in! Clubs are open during holidays and in the summer. Annual membership is only $35.00. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.