Club Philosophy
"My family is my life," patriarch James Jordan was once quoted as
saying. Mr. Jordan's emphasis on the family is entrenched in the Club's philosophy.
Upon entering the contemporary, two-story facility, members and visitors alike
are greeted with the James Jordan Photo Mural, which provides an intimate view
of the Jordan family. Graduation photos of the Jordan children, and other cherished
photos donated to the Club by the Jordans, emphasize the importance of family.
Dedicated and Trained
Staff
Led by Club Director Patricia Smoot, the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club
and Family Life Center employs more than 20 employees, many of whom are veteran
Boys & Girls Club professionals. This helps assure quality programs that
are educational, fun, and culturally-diverse. Children are greeted with smiles
each day after a hard day at school. As they leave to go, the stern words, "go
right home," follow them. Meanwhile parents and community residents can
count on words of encouragement as they work to improve their lives and that
of their community.
Programs and Services
The variety of programs and services provided by the Club sets the James R.
Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Family Life Center apart from any other Boys
& Girls Club in the nation. Some members come to learn more about computers
at the Computer Learning center. Others, come to play bumper pool, take pottery
lessons, do homework, or just relax in a safe place. Of course, with the Club
just a few short blocks west of the United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls,
many come to play basketball in the state-of-the-art gymnasium. Many adults
walk through our doors with the anticipation of receiving basic employment skills
training at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Office of Employment Services,
which is also housed at the facility. Other services for entire families include:
the Donald R. Oder Science laboratory, restaurant-quality kitchen (great for
cooking and nutrition classes), day care wing for infants and toddlers, meeting
space, classrooms, game room, and a photography lab.
Community Health
Center
Healthy families are happy families. Yet, inner-city young people and their
families often don't have the access they need to health-care facilities. Thanks
to a partnership with the Miles Square Health Center, comprehensive health protection
and preventive care is now available to neighborhood residents through the Club's
on-site Community Heatlh Center. Acute and chronic illnesses are diagnosed and
treated, and referrals and specialty care is provided for all age groups --
infants, children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
Look Who Showed
Up!
At the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Family Life Center, you never
know who'll you’ll get a chance to meet! Former General Colin Powell,
Olympic-winner Jackee Joyner Kersee, world champion Chicago Bulls’ Scottie
Pippen, and other of Michael’s teammates, as well as singing sensations
Boys II Men, are just a few of the many celebrities who have visited the Club.
Many of the celebrity visitors echo words of encouragement to Club members,
reminiscent of the encouragement Mr. and Mrs. James Jordan so often bestowed
upon their children.
The James
R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Family Life Center is a safe place, where
friendships blossom, goals and aspirations are achieved, and each day becomes
a memory that can last a lifetime.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Established in 1901, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago is one of the largest
family, children and youth-serving organizations in Chicago, serving more than
35,000 persons each year through its 20 facilities. The $12.2 million organization
has facilities located in neighborhoods like Bridgeport, Pilsen/Little Village,
Robert Taylor Homes, Uptown, Logan Square and Chicago Heights. Each Club offers
numerous services and programs to community residents. Notable programs include:
day care, computer learning centers, after-school tutoring, leadership development,
health and nutrition education, literacy, job placement, and drug/alcohol abuse
prevention.
Community
The Club serves the Lower West Side of Chicago, bounded by the Eisenhower Expressway
to the South; Lake Street to the North; Ashland Avenue to the East; and California
Avenue to the West. The Henry Horner Homes and Rockwell Gardens Public Housing
Developments are specific targets for the Club. However, the Club’s programs
are available to the general public.
Numbers
Served
The club serves approximately 800 to 1000 people weekly, including infants,
toddlers, youth and senior citizens.
Building
The Club is a 41,000 square foot, two story brick facility complete with gymnasium,
classrooms, meeting space, full-size kitchen and parking lot.
Boys &
Girls Clubs of Chicago History & Background
Established in 1901, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago is one of the largest
and oldest youth-serving organizations in Chicago, serving more than 35,000
at-risk young people, ages three to 25, and their families each year through
its 20 facilities. Located in neighborhoods like Bridgeport, Little Village,
Robert Taylor Homes, Uptown and Logan Square, facilities include 13 full-service
Clubs, (including the new James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club) seven extension
sites, seven Head Start programs and five After-School Day Care Centers. Each
Club offers numerous services and programs to community residents. Notable programs
include: an alternative high school, leadership and career development, health
and nutrition education, literacy, job placement, drug/alcohol abuse prevention
and HIV/AIDS awareness prevention education for teens.
Address:
2102 West Monroe
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: 312.226.2323
Fax: 312.226.9788
The variety of programs and services provided by the Club sets the James R.
Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Family Life Center apart from any other Boys
& Girls Club in the nation. Some members come to learn more about computers
at the Computer Learning center. Others, come to play bumper pool, take pottery
lessons, do homework, or just relax in a safe place. Of course, with the Club
just a few short blocks west of the United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls,
many come to play basketball in the state-of-the-art gymnasium. Many adults
walk through our doors with the anticipation of receiving basic employment skills
training at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Office of Employment Services,
which is also housed at the facility. Other services for entire families include:
the Donald R. Oder Science laboratory, restaurant-quality kitchen (great for
cooking and nutrition classes), day care wing for infants and toddlers, meeting
space, classrooms, game room, and a photography lab.
Community Health Center
Healthy families are happy families. Yet, inner-city young people and their
families often don't have the access they need to health-care facilities. Thanks
to a partnership with the Miles Square Health Center, comprehensive health protection
and preventive care is now available to neighborhood residents through the Club's
on-site Community Heatlh Center. Acute and chronic illnesses are diagnosed and
treated, and referrals and specialty care is provided for all age groups --
infants, children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
Dedicated
and Trained Staff
Led by Club Director Patricia Smoot, the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club
and Family Life Center employs more than 20 employees, many of whom are veteran
Boys & Girls Club professionals. This helps assure quality programs that
are educational, fun, and culturally-diverse. Children are greeted with smiles
each day after a hard day at school. As they leave to go, the stern words, "go
right home," follow them. Meanwhile parents and community residents can
count on words of encouragement as they work to improve their lives and that
of their community.