SiVY at Boys & Girls Clubs

Less than a year ago SiVY Bridge was started by Debbie Rosenberg to inspire the next generation of Youth Bridge players. Based on successful programs in other parts of the country, Debbie originally envisioned after school lessons and clubs at local elementary and middle schools. As the fledgling group was looking for pilot schools, a different opportunity was presented– the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Jose/Silicon Valley.

Lynn Shannon is a local player who has been involved in SiVY from the beginning. Having much experience at B&G clubs, Lynn believed they would be a great fit for the SiVY program. After some effort, Lynn was able to get agreement for SiVY to provide our program at 3 B&G clubs in Menlo Park and San Jose.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley is to provide access to innovative programs, inspiring leaders and an enlightened perspective on life. The population that is served tends to be at-risk youth, many of whom come from households where English is a second language. This was not the student population many of the SiVY teachers believed would be likely candidates for bridge lessons! However after several months of our program at these clubs, our volunteer teachers universally consider it a success.

Kathie Shaw, teacher at Belle Haven B&G club in Menlo Park, has this to say about her experience, “the best part of teaching bridge at the Belle Haven Boys & Girls Club is getting to know the group of boys I'm working with and seeing their progress in learning a game which was totally foreign to them in early September. The biggest benefit for me is watching the progress from week to week and the increased interest in the game itself as we progress. I'm really enjoying seeing "the light go on" when they make a mistake and we talk about why the contract was set when it could have been made. That "OH" moment!”

At B&G’s clubs it’s common for inter-club competitions to be held. In November, SiVY hosted such an event, giving the players a hint at what competitive play is like. Two San Jose Boys and Girls Clubs (Gardner and Levin) and Los Gatos' RJ Fisher Middle School squared off enjoying a six table tournament, snacks, pizza, and prizes.

The players were boys and girls ranging in age from 8 to 13 years old. Some have parents or grandparents who play bridge. Others didn't have a clue about the game until they started their classes. Take for example Jerrick Baltazar, age 13, and Anthony Hoang, age 12, from Levin. Neither of them knew anyone who played Bridge, but they love it now. Anthony said he likes winning - and also the secret code of bidding. Jerrick simply says "It's fun!"

Then there's 10-year-old AJ De La Cerda, who also knows no one else who plays bridge, but does play poker at home with his family. His Dad Art is hoping AJ will teach him bridge. The proud Dad says "I'd rather he play bridge than take kids lunch money at Poker!" AJ says he loves figuring out which hand is better - and winning!

Yareni Carasco, Gardner Boys and Girls Club site director at Gardner, also loves the program. She said, “The Bridge program has built up the confidence of our members to deal with numbers and math. It has also been a new opportunity for them to gain the experience in something that was completely unknown to them." The kids at Gardner put it a bit more simply, saying things like, “Bridge is cool”, (Luna, 3rd Grade) and “Bridge helps you learn and think. And it's fun.” (Jarrett, 3rd grade).

While it’s too soon to tell if the next world champion will come from one of these B&G Club programs, as Lynn Shannon says, “If we can positively influence one child, then the program is a success.”