Westlake Kiwanis welcomes new family member, K-Kids at Parkside

The first meeting of Kiwanis K-Kids at Parkside Intermediate School.

The Westlake Kiwanis family welcomed a new member when a K-Kids Club was chartered at Parkside Intermediate School. The Club was chartered through the efforts of Kiwanians Joanne Clancy and Bonnie Smith who will be advisors, along with cooperation of Parkside's principal, Mark Bregar. 

The Kiwanis K-Kids program opens avenues of service and development to elementary school children around the world. In the more than 1,200 K-Kids clubs, children learn the value of helping others, the importance of teamwork and the benefits of leadership. 

The students attain important life skills known as developmental assets, which better prepare them to deal with challenges and avoid risky behavior. Students are active partipants in their own success, so they're more engaged in learning. Students connect with mentors and learn about and practice peer mentoring. 

Their first meeting was in November. They will meet monthly before school with projects taking place after school. Their first project will be making Linus blankets along with the Key Club. The blankets will be given to Blessing House which serves as a safety net for children of families in crisis, by providing a temporary safe home for children and support for their families.

The Westlake Kiwanis, Builders Club, Key Club and Aktion Club are proud to have the K-Kids as part of the Kiwanis family.