College of Education News

Faculty Reach Out to Boys and Girls Club

December 15, 2009

By Erica Yuenger

Christopher Span loves to shoot pool. Even more than playing, he loves to teach people how to play, and about the integrity involved in this "gentleman's game." When he's not at home or fulfilling his duties as an Associate Professor of Educational Policy Studies at the College of Education, Span can sometimes be found at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club in Champaign, teaching kids how to play the game.

"The Boys and Girls Club does fantastic things from counseling to supplemental instruction - including after school tutoring, recreational activities and peer group mentoring," Span said. "I can't imagine Champaign-Urbana without the Boys and Girls Club."

After being involved with the club on and off since his graduate-student years, Span has recently taken on a larger role within the program. Earlier this year, Span accepted an invitation to become a member of the Boys and Girls Club's Board of Directors.

"What we strive to do is get an excellent cross-representation of people from the community," said board president Toney Tomaso. "We thought Christopher would bring a wonderful and unique perspective."

One of the many tasks Span undertakes as a board member is helping raise money for the club's Youth Investment Fund, which allocates resources for programming within the Boys and Girls Club. Span said the club supports 300 to 400 children per year and therefore needs money to sustain programming.

Span and his wife have sponsored a child for three years now, donating the money it takes to provide one year of activity programming for the child. Span said he encourages everyone to donate; that every gift is valued.

"We're no less appreciative of a person who can only give 25 bucks, because we recognize it's not the amount they give, it's the reason why they're giving," Span said. Span also encourages colleagues and students to not only donate their money, but also their time to the Boys and Girls Club because of the rewarding experience it provides to both the volunteer and the children at the club.

"It's always nice to talk to the graduate and undergraduate students at the university, but we rarely get a chance to talk to kids, and when you get around kids, they have an optimism and an enthusiasm that just puts a smile on your face," Span said. Tomaso said that same enthusiasm resonates from Span when he spends time at the club. "It's really satisfying to find those people who have the passion to help kids in the community," he said.

In the future, Span hopes his fervor for helping children in the community will be contagious enough to form a collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club and the College of Education, whether it be students volunteering at the club or faculty getting involved in a more formal mentoring capacity.

"It would build in partnership to ensure a natural relationship between what people are doing in the community and what we're doing at the university," Span said.

Until then, Span will continue to play a pivotal role in the lives of children throughout Champaign-Urbana through his work on the board and his time volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club.

"It's just a wonderful opportunity to really serve the community," Span said. "I can't think of a better thing to do with my time."

Interested in mentoring, teaching, coaching and caring? Check out the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club Web site for more information on how to volunteer.

For more information about the College of Education, contact our Communications Office at 217-244-8335 or email communications@education.illinois.edu