|
Alumni Testimonials
At the Boys & Girls Clubs, we work hard to develop our young people into productive, engaged members of our community. Our alumni indicate that the Clubs had a profound impact on their life. Read below for some of their comments:
Pat Walker (MSU Club)
"Coming from the projects, I always looked forward to the field trips to places I might not have had the chance to go. I remember my first Cincinnati Reds game, Dan Carr, the Club Director, took me. I loved playing basketball for the club, we even won some championship games. I also really liked helping out during food program in the kitchen. Our group clubs were always fun and we did things like car washes, canned food drivesactivities that made us understand how important it was to give back. Every day was a new and fun day and it made me want to come back to the club.
Many of my friends ended up in prison or dead. I feel like because of these positive influences I had every day at the club, I was able to choose to be a leader, not a follower."
Nikisha Cousins (Espy Club)
"Before I started coming to the Club, my life was headed down the wrong path. After school, I would hang out on the corner with the older kids and I tried anything to fit in. I remember that cold day when my friend brought me to the Boys & Girls Club. It was warm and friendly, a happy place to be. Soon I joined various groups like Smart Girls and Junior Leaders, which taught me to make the right choices and ways to avoid peer pressure. The Club Director encouraged me to try new things. I discovered that I love writing, poetry, and painting. I won a trip to San Francisco for winning the National Photography Contest. I've always dreamed of living in California, and now I have something to work toward."
Deven Boxx, Buenger Club
"When I was a little kid, I was on a bad road. My teacher told my mom I was going to end up in jail. At school, I would throw chairs and desks. A couple of times, I had to get calmed down by police. Now, I see myself getting a college degree and teaching. I see myself doing something big. I have the passion and determination. People are expecting me to do something good and I'm going to live up to those expecations."
Roberto Allen, LeBlond Club
Roberto Allen started attending the LeBlond club at age 7 when his friends encouraged him to get a membership. Now the club director of LeBlond, Roberto looks back and says “This club saved my life”. Roberto states “I walked in and I never walked back out. This was my home away from home”. Living in a life always surrounded by drugs and violence, the LeBlond Boys and Girls Club gave Roberto the positive influences he needed to avoid the dangers of street life. Aside from the club being a safe haven, Roberto found his passion for basketball, something Roberto still enjoys today.
Do you have a story to share? Click on the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page to tell us about how the Clubs impacted your life.
|