Local Boys & Girls Clubs Announce Computer Labs, E-Sports League

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region will launch its own e-sports league for teen members in 2025, with cutting-edge computer labs installed at sites across Saginaw and Bay Counties.

Made possible through generous investments by Hemlock Semiconductor, the AT&T Foundation, and SC Johnson, these digital literacy labs will allow for a multitude of new programs at the Clubs; however, few are as highly anticipated as e-sports for current Club members. The gaming program will be piloted at the organization’s Saginaw Teen Center after-school program with a regional launch planned for the summer. 

“Play me in Overwatch, Rainbow Six, Fortnite, Rocket League; I’m cooking up,” Teen Center member Kden O., 15, said. “I’m fixing to fry.”

According to Program Director Samantha Oliver, participants in the pilot will compete in the popular game “Rocket League” before eventually moving on to other titles. Described as a “high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem,” the game is considered highly accessible for gamers of all ages and experience levels.

“E-sports has exploded as an industry; it made more money last year than the NFL,” Oliver said. “We aren’t just tapping into their love of video games. We’re teaching them how to work with people - how to work as a team and collaborate.”

According to Oliver, the labs will also be essential for Club programs like Career Launch. The computers will be invaluable for introducing members to critical software and exercises like resume-building.

“So many modern workplaces have become either partially or entirely digital spaces,” Oliver said. “It has become normal for jobseekers to secure employment without ever meeting a hiring manager in-person. Therefore, it is imperative that we work to close the digital divide for our members in these critical years.”

Those interested in learning more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region and its programs should call the administrative office at 989-321-9648 or visit boysandgirlsclubsglbr.com.

Saginaw County Animal Care & Control
Receives State & National Recognition

The Saginaw County Animal Care and Control (SCACC) is being recognized at both the state and national levels. Because of its progressive and community-focused approach, the SCACC has been awarded the Shelter of the Year by Keep it Humane, an organization committed to training, consulting, and SMART (Saving More Animals Responsibly Together). 

Dan Ettinger, its CEO, is also the host of the Keep it Humane: The Podcast, which serves animal control officers and welfare professionals. As an adjunct instructor at the University of Missouri's Law Enforcement Training Institute, Ettinger educates law enforcement professionals and veterinarians about the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence.

Additionally, SCACC’s Abbe Balderstone was named Animal Control Officer of the Year by the Michigan Pet Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Saline, MI., whose guiding principles are “Working to achieve the best quality of life for Michigan companion animals.” Balderstone was awarded a Saginaw County proclamation by the Board of Commissioners at a recent meeting.

“These awards highlight SCACC’s lifesaving strategies that focus on keeping pets with their families, reducing unnecessary shelter intake, and improving outcomes for animals in our care, said Saginaw County Board Chairman Jack B. Tany.  “We are extremely proud of the work that Abbe and all of our Animal Control Officers do every day under Animal Control Director Rachel Horton. Saginaw County Animal Care and Control has made incredible progress in animal welfare.

This past year, the SCACC Shelter achievements include:

• Live Release Rate Increased to 76.7% - A significant improvement from 55.4% in 2023, demonstrating our success in increasing adoptions, reunifications, and rescue placements.

• 1,035 Stray Animals Taken In – SCASS remains a critical safety net for lost and homeless pets in Saginaw County. 

• 206 Pets Reunited with Their Owners – Thanks to proactive reunification efforts, microchipping, and field-based resources.

• 734 Adoptions Completed – Finding forever homes for hundreds of animals through expanded adoption programs and events. 

• 537 Owner Surrenders Managed with Supportive Resources – Providing alternatives to surrender, helping keep pets in their homes whenever possible.

• 1,622 Total Live Outcomes – Nearly doubling the 856 live outcomes in 2023, reinforcing the incredible progress SCACC has made in just one year.

Grand Opening of Our New Surgical Center

Additionally, the shelter has opened a  brand-new Surgical Center. This state-of-the-art facility will provide low-cost spay/neuter services and preventive veterinary care, helping pet owners access essential resources while reducing pet overpopulation. This project has been a major milestone and is set for a Grand Opening on  Wednesday, April 30th.

Spay It Forward Fund: Helping Animals in Need

In addition to these lifesaving efforts, SCACC is proud to introduce the Spay It Forward Fund, a donation-based initiative designed to provide veterinary care for animals in need. Through this program: • Donations provide veterinary services for high-need cases identified by our veterinarian and officers • SCACC tracks how many animals benefit each year, ensuring accountability and measurable impact • Officers can provide resources to pet owners before intervention is necessary, preventing unwanted litter and keeping pets in loving homes.

Shaping the Future of Animal Welfare

SCACC continues to gain recognition from national and large-scale animal welfare organizations for their progressive, community-focused approach, which is shifting from punitive enforcement to proactive support for pet owners, reducing shelter intakes and improving overall outcomes.

SCACC says their goal is to not merely improve shelter operations, but to transform  the way the community views animal care and control. “Our compassionate, resource-driven approach prioritizes pet retention, education, and humane solutions.”