In the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club in Buffalo.

The Boys and Girls Club aims to provide a safe and stable environment for youth in the Buffalo area. The Club aspires to provide members with a healthy lifestyle, and provides the resources to ensure that members graduate from high school. Homework help is also provided, along with encouragement to stay off of the streets, healthy meals, and simply just a positive place for the members to go after school.

Through the Boys and Girls Club, disadvantaged youth have found a place where adults are genuinely focused on the positive development of every member. In some circumstances, the Boys and Girls Club may be the safest environment for a child, or the only source of a wholesome meal for the day.

The Club provides these resources in the hopes that each member will grow to make good decisions, and develop the skills necessary to create a better life for themselves. As a volunteer, I've observed the circumstances that these members have been born into, and seen the work each member puts in to create a better future.

Five kindergarteners greet me each time I enter the building. They may be half my size, but their energy certainly surpasses mine. I leave each volunteer session with a handful of drawings they have made me, most of which have excessive amounts of glitter on them. They do not speak about their home circumstances, but it is clear that they all have their fair share of struggles.

However, at the Boys and Girls Club, each volunteer and staff member is here to help them overcome these circumstances. Even just by making up silly games to play with the kids, I know that it makes a difference when they say that coming here is the best part of their day. However, there is always more that can be done to help, so more volunteers are always welcomed. Chances are that there is a Boys and Girls Club near you, and they are often all accepting volunteers as well as donations. Go make a difference today.