Cadeyn’s Story

The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana is more than just a safe place for our area youth to come to after school.

Our trained staff helps members with homework, mentors them and guides them to better futures through enrichment programs that focus on character development and healthy habits.

Healthy habits became more than just an enrichment program for 10-year old Cadeyn W. It became a lifestyle.

Two years ago, Cadeyn’s mother, Meghan, noticed her son gaining weight at a rapid pace. She said he had always been “chunky” since he was a baby, but the doctors were alarmed that, at 9 years old, he had jumped to 187 pounds.

Labs revealed that his A1C was around 11 – normal range is around 5. Cadeyn had Type 2 diabetes. The pediatrician recommended medication, but Meghan was not sure about the side effects. She wanted to try diet and exercise first, and that’s when she turned for help.

“I could not have done it without the Boys & Girls Club,” Meghan said. “I came to them and said ‘I need help, bad’. Cadeyn respected the staff so much. He listened to them.”

The staff helped make being healthy “fun”. They taught him how to make smoothies, and even made an extra one for him to take home at night. They would take him to the gym to walk laps, while talking about his day, and even incorporated friendly games of basketball to get his exercise in.

“We found different ways that he wouldn’t be left out when other kids were eating candy and stuff,” said Ms. Pam, a staff member that leads Cadeyn’s group afterschool. “He was such a good sport about it. He wanted to be healthy also.”

In the past year and a half, Cadeyn has lost 78 pounds.

“He looks like a little boy again,” Meghan said. “Now, his confidence is through the roof.”

Now through December 31, your donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana will ensure kids, like Cadeyn, continue to have access to support and positive adult influences necessary to overcome their toughest challenges and achieve their great futures.

You can make your tax-deductible donation online at www.BGCofNL.org, or you can fill out the form below and return it with your gift in the enclosed envelope.

Together, let’s give kids the support they need today to make their great future possible tomorrow. Thank you for giving generously!