Member Spotlight - We would like to spotlight our new Club President, Andreas Zapletal.
Andreas has written a special article on his amazing story beginning in his childhood where he received assistance from Kiwanis, to where he is now…. An amazing read!
“A child will feel capable of doing anything they can think of if they feel supported.” - Andreas Zapletal
Kiwanis was that for me when I needed it most.
While there are many more horrifying stories than mine, I had my fair share of challenges growing up. My mom died of cancer when I was 12. My dad remarried shortly after, and I rebelled against the blended family. While I didn’t drink or do drugs, my behaviour was challenging for my family, and they made the tough decision that I should move out the day after my 16th birthday. Fortunately for me, they found Kiwanis Youth Residence, so I wasn’t out on the street fending for myself.
My first day at Kiwanis Youth Residence made me fear where I had landed. One of the residents choked another resident to the point of blacking out, because they had walked “too loudly”. I found out later that the attacker was high on cocaine. I knew nothing about that - drugs were new to me as I’d been sheltered from that life until now. From there things fortunately got better, both for me and for the attacker, Ron, who I learned years later had gotten off drugs and moved back home with his mom. Another life positively impacted by Kiwanis.
Kiwanis Youth Residence was a house for troubled youth in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It consisted of a house that was purchased by Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo that was run day-to-day by a charity called Friendship House. The fact that this residence existed helped me learn life skills that I otherwise never would have had, and all of which I use to this day. They taught me things like how to shave, how to cook, how to do laundry, and most importantly, how to get along and live with others. While I use all these every day, my wife in particular appreciates my ability to iron clothes that Mike, a worker at the House, taught us. While I still enjoy ironing clothes, perhaps I shouldn’t have paid as much attention to that lesson.
During my 11 months at Kiwanis Youth Residence, the maximum you were allowed to stay, one of the most memorable moments was when I was asked to come speak to the Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, along with the House’s director, Elaine Sealey, I got dressed up in my best clothes - blue khakis, an expertly ironed dress shirt, both of which my great aunt had bought me when I first moved out, and a ratty old belt that was literally hanging from a thread.
When we arrived at the Kiwanis Club dinner, we were seated at the head table. As I sat there eating spaghetti, I was so glad for the lessons in etiquette bestowed upon me by my father. The dinner portion of the evening went by without a hitch, but I distinctly remember the camaraderie and joyful atmosphere in the room, especially when there were instances of some sort or other that forced members to put donations into a jar to raise money for kids. These people seemed to be having so much fun while helping kids in need. It was refreshing to see.
After dinner, Director Elaine and I were the speakers. We did a Q&A style presentation of what it was like living at Kiwanis Youth Residence. The objective was of course to secure funding for the following year. I don’t remember what the questions were, or how I answered them, but I do distinctly remember my belt’s final thread breaking as I stood behind the podium. My forearm immediately caught the two ends of the belt before my pants could fall to the ground. I was terrified but kept on with the presentation. When it was done, we were finally able to sit back down, my pants still firmly around my waist. Then came the walk to the car. I remember being stopped multiple times by Kiwanis Club Members who were genuinely interested in my story and about the impact of Kiwanis Youth Residence, all while my forearm pressed tightly against my waist.
After what seemed like hours, we finally made it out to Elaine’s car, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Elaine looked at me quizzically. When I explained that my belt had broken and the only thing keeping the audience from seeing my tighty whiteys was my forearm, she laughed. She hadn’t even noticed anything had gone wrong.
And most importantly, Kiwanis Youth Residence received their funding the following year. And every year after that until, as far as I’ve been able to tell, the early- to mid-2000s. Unfortunately, Kiwanis Youth Residence is no longer there, but the Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo has gone on to do many more high-impact projects for the community’s youth, including some that have carried on the mission and spirit of that original Kiwanis Youth Residence.
Fast forward almost 40 years. My relationship with my family has been repaired. In fact, I recently took a cross-country drive with my father to run in the Canadian Death Race and flew to Bordeaux, France to run the Medoc Marathon together. I have a child of my own, who is now 21.
And I have recently taken on the role of Kiwanis Club of Huntsville Muskoka President-Elect.
The lessons of Kiwanis Youth Residence are firmly within my memories all these years later. There are so many more that I could have written a small novel here. I know what it’s like to need help. And more importantly I know what it’s like to find that help and support from a club like Kiwanis where and when I needed it. I felt, and feel, supported.
Those memories are amongst those that motivated me to make the journey from Resident to President.
And they are what will continue my drive to help kids where they need it, when they need it most.”
