Alumni Spotlight: Jeremy Head

A Safe Place That Shaped a Life of Service

For Jeremy Head, the Boys & Girls Club wasn’t just somewhere to go after school. It was a place that changed the course of his life.

Growing up just a few blocks from the former Espy Club on Glenway Avenue in Cincinnati, Jeremy became a member in 1991 and stayed connected to the Club through 2004. During those years, he was there almost every day.

“It was a safe place for me,” Jeremy said. “The Club gave me somewhere to go, something to do and people who cared.”

At home, Jeremy faced challenges that no child should have to navigate alone. Addiction impacted multiple members of his family, creating an unstable environment. But inside the Club, things were different.

“That place was an escape,” he said. “It was the safest place in my neighborhood. It’s like everyone knew to leave the problems of the streets at the door.”

Finding Belonging and Direction

At the Club, Jeremy found more than safety. He found opportunity.

From sports in a small but lively gym to learning computers for the first time, to swimming trips and field outings, the experiences opened doors he didn’t even know existed.

“I learned how to treat people the right way. I learned how to be part of something,” he said.

He also found a sense of pride and accomplishment, something that stuck with him long after his Club days.

One memory that stands out for him is competing in the Club’s Quiz Bowl.

“We had lost the year before, and it stuck with me,” Jeremy recalled. “But the next year, I answered a lot of questions and helped us win. I remember getting one right about Pedro Martinez’s ERA. That feeling, that pride, it was one of the first times I really felt that in my life.”

The Club become so much more than just a place to pass time. It was a place that gave Jeremy purpose. While others around him were getting pulled into negative influences, he chose a different path.

Mentors Who Made a Difference

Jeremy credits much of his growth to the staff who believed in him and invested in his future.

“People like Jeff Kilby and Bill Bresser were instrumental in helping me become the man I am today,” he said. “And Liz Mitchell, she was like a second mom to me.”

When Jeremy received his acceptance letter to Xavier University, the Club was the first place he went.

“No one in my family had ever gone to college,” he said. “I ran to the Club to tell them. That’s how much it meant to me.”

Giving Back and Moving Forward

After graduating from Elder High School in 2004, Jeremy continued his connection to the Club by working there until 2007, mentoring older kids and giving back to the same community that helped shape him.

Today, Jeremy lives in Noblesville, Indiana, where he serves as a Field Services Coordinator working with individuals navigating the justice system. His role blends case management with supervision, supporting people on house arrest and helping them address the underlying behaviors that lead to incarceration.

“I work with people dealing with addiction, domestic violence, veterans, you name it,” he said. “We’re trying to reduce recidivism. Ultimately, we’re trying to put ourselves out of business.”

His career path is deeply personal.

“Growing up around addiction, I couldn’t help my own family,” Jeremy said. “So maybe, subconsciously, I wanted to help others. That desire to give back started at the Boys & Girls Club.”

A Lasting Impact

Jeremy’s connection to the Club runs deep. During his time as a member of the club, he was named Youth of the Year twice. That recognition helped open doors early in his career.

“I give the Club all the credit in the world for where I am today,” he said. “Without it, I don’t know where I’d be. Dead or incarcerated, it’s that serious.”

Now a father of two sons, Jeremy often reflects on the role the Club played in his life.

“I wish my kids could have that same experience,” he said. “The sports, the friendships, being around people from all different backgrounds teaches you so much.”

Looking Ahead

Today, Jeremy is facing a new challenge. He is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. But even in the middle of that fight, his outlook remains grounded in gratitude and purpose.

“Life is good,” he said. “I’m halfway through treatment and doing well. And it’s made me realize that I need to give back more.”

And now, as he looks toward the future, he hopes to continue that legacy of support, mentorship and second chances for others, just like the Club once did for him.