186: Chris Winters
CEO, Olivet’s Boys & Girls Club
Christopher Winters is CEO and President of the Olivets Boys and Girls Club, an organization that focuses on the entire child, highlighting academics and other learning skills that are not part of school. Olivet’s is a safe haven for kids ages six to sixteen from all locations and socioeconomic levels of Berks county. However, the majority of kids are from poorer families or foster situations.
It was shocking for Chris to be working full steam, serving 400 children a day in their centers and then being suddenly shut down with less than 24 hours notice. Chris and his team were greatly concerned about food insecurity for the children, and they quickly pivoted to offer daily meals in pantry boxes. With the children coming in for the food pick up, this allowed the team to keep an eye on the kids in some capacity. Directors also were calling the children and their families to check in on them. As the pandemic continued and they realized that summer camp would not be possible, the Olivet’s team made several very popular videos on STEM and other topics and started virtual mentoring sessions with individual children on Zoom. When it became clear that school would not resume in the fall, Chris was really worried about the mental and physical health of the children, so the Olivet’s team further expanded by offering virtual learning platforms.
Although Chris feels fortunate he did not contract Covid -19, many of the Olivet's staff did, some also suffering the loss of family members from Covid. Chris worried about the stress on his staff and felt terrible that he couldn’t even go to the funerals to show them support. Grieving was such a complex and isolating experience during Covid. Chris was further concerned to see the exhaustion that hit his staff and society in general. He is concerned about the toll this pandemic has taken on all essential workers. Chris is incredibly worried about the long term mental health effects on kids resulting from the pandemic. He noted a shocking rise in domestic and child abuse that was devastating to see. The Olivet’s team adapted to this need by adding mental health services for the Olivet’s kids. Chris continues to encourage his staff to get support as well, given the burden that they carry holding these children’s stories. Chris’s biggest source of hope is the kids of Olivet’s. They are our future, and the Olivet’s center's mission is to give the kids and their families hope and help to their futures.
