NEW ROCHELLE, NY — To most alumni, the Boys & Girls Club holds a special place in their heart. It’s where they made their closest childhood friends or received encouragement to dream big dreams. Others found it a safe haven from the streets and life situations that were often quite challenging. Most however, considered it a home away from home where they encountered staff devoted to helping each kid become a success!
Since its founding in 1929, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has provided high quality programs and support to children age 6 to 18 throughout the Sound Shore community. The organization does so through its core programs which include Healthy Habits; Career Launch; Diplomas 2 Degrees; SMART Girls and Passport To Manhood. The Club’s programs are designed to promote Character and Leadership Development; Education and Career Development; Health and Life Skills; the Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. But more important, the organization strives to provide each child the best possible start in life by offering opportunities and experiences they might not otherwise encounter.
These programs are delivered each day by Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle staff like William Iannuzzi, Janine Dodd, George Greene, and Mariyam Muhammed who work tirelessly to have a positive impact on each club member. Aside from being staff, these amazing individuals are also alumni of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. They know firsthand the profound impact that positive reinforcement, strong adult mentors and high quality programming can have on young lives. And that is why each came back to the Club to support its commitment to uplift and empower the community’s next generation of leaders.
Based on research by Louis Harris & Associates, Club alumni from all across the country have very strong feelings about their individual Club experiences:
• 80% said Club staff helped them learn right from wrong
• 95% indicated the Club was the best thing available in their community
• 52% said participating in the Club “saved my life”
“Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt, President Clinton, Kerry Washington, Ashanti, Michael Jordan, Bill Cosby, Usher Raymond, Martin Sheen and of course Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington are high profile Boys & Girls Club alumni that achieved tremendous notoriety and of that we are extremely proud” says Quay Watkins, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Executive Director.
He adds, “But the average alumnus is not famous. Most have achieved success by getting an education, raising a family, serving their country, pursuing a career and/or supporting the community by giving back to the Club that gave to them many years ago. Our ‘stars’ are the folks that enter our doors each day to work with kids who need it most and do it not for prestige, power or a large paycheck. Their reward is realized in seeing smiling faces, hearing lots of laughter and watching the young people they work with grow into positive and productive citizens. Our sensational staff nurtures young peoples’ sense of belonging, usefulness, influence, self- esteem and competence, giving them the skills, knowledge and support to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. I consider it an honor to work with them!”