On the evening of Friday, September 6, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana’s Hammond Club held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Center of Hope. This space offers the young Club members an atmosphere that promotes academic success. The renovation of the Center of Hope was made possible by a $45,000 grant that was awarded to the Hammond Club by Panda Express’ philanthropic foundation, Panda Cares. The Hammond Club was selected out of the 5,200 Boys & Girls Clubs in the country to receive its own Center of Hope, which will number among the 100 Centers of Hope Panda Cares intends to open by the end of the year.
The young members of the Hammond Club, the staff, and several of the Club’s board members were all present for the event, proudly wearing commemorative t-shirts. They were joined by volunteers from the Panda Express in Calumet City and Pei Pei, Panda Express’ lovable panda mascot. Dwayne Washington, former director of the Hammond Club and now the Club area director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, has a unique insight on the development of the Center of Hope.
“I came to this Club back in the 90s and I’ve seen this space that is now the Center of Hope has evolved over the years,” Washington said. “I have also seen firsthand just how much of an impact the Club has had on this community. It has been a staple here in the area, particularly as an after-school care option. Now that we have a learning center of this magnitude, we can make the kids’ experience here that much more fruitful. I hope this event shows everyone that we at the Hammond Club care about the kids in this community. We’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the Center of Hope and the kids truly deserve it.”
The Center of Hope, which is decorated with bamboo and panda imagery, features brand-new Apple desktop computers, a spacious reading booth, bookshelves and, of course, a giant stuffed panda bear that’s perfect for cuddling. This is the fifth Center of Hope opening that Leonardo Morales, district manager at Panda Express, has overseen.
“Giving back and interacting with our communities is part of our culture at Panda Express,” Morales said. “Our hope is that these Centers for Hope will help kids explore their creativity. I grew up in a rough neighborhood in San Diego, but the Boys & Girls Club was a safe place my brothers and I could go after school. We also got a free meal there, which was sometimes the only meal we’d have all day. A project like this really resonates with me because I am glad that I can give back to this organization. Panda Express is here to support the youth in our community and help them reach their fullest potential so they can go out and change the world.”
During the opening ceremony, Alashia Brown, one of the Hammond Club’s members and former student of the year, presented Calumet City Panda Express General Manager Elena Teran with a plaque commemorating the opening of the Center of Hope. Teran in turn presented Hammond Club Director Sheria Givens with a jumbo check as the onlookers applauded. Mike Jessen, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, considers the grand opening to be a significant event for several reasons.
“This event demonstrates that community partners like Panda Express and the Panda Cares foundation are willing and able to wrap their arms around the kids in our community,” Jessen said. “The Panda Express employees have shown up in force and the kids are really excited about it. It’s absolutely outstanding to have a corporation like Panda demonstrate that they are willing to dedicate their time, talents, and treasure to supporting this club and its programs. They’re not simply writing a check, they’re making an investment in the community that will have a lasting effect. ”
Panda Express donated over 1,000 books to the Hammond Club, offering students of all reading levels a vast selection of reading material. Each young Club member selected their book of choice before enjoying the orange chicken and rice being served up by the Panda Express volunteers. Scott Miller, chief of staff for the City of Hammond and Mayor Tom McDermott, Jr., appreciates the opportunity to celebrate the Center of Hope opening.
“I just love the Boys & Girls Club,” Miller said. “As I served in my previous role as superintendent of Hammond schools, I got to see just how positive an influence the Hammond Club had on the young people in our community. It promotes academic enrichment, physical fitness, and allows them to interact with positive adult role models. This partnership between Panda Express and the Hammond Club is the kind of partnership the city loves to see. I hope today’s event will inspire others to volunteer, invest in the future of the youth, and ultimately be part of the solution.”
For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana’s announcements and upcoming events, please visit bgcgreaternwi.org.
