Staff Spotlight: Colton Shrader

A Lifetime in the Club, A Career Built on Passion

We’re proud of the fact that for many of our members, happy memories of the Boys & Girls Clubs go all the way back to their childhood. But for Colton Shrader, Club Director of the Chase & Cole Fischer Club, his experience with our organization started even before he can remember. This early introduction sparked a lifelong connection with Boys & Girls Clubs that led him to where he is today, creating the same kind of welcoming, life-changing environment that shaped his own childhood.

Growing Up a Club Kid

Colton grew up in Orrville, Ohio, where the Boys & Girls Club was truly a family affair. His father, Dave Shrader, served as executive director of the local Club, while his mother, Monica, worked there when she wasn't teaching.

"My involvement with the Club started when I was born," Colton said. "I watched the impact my parents had on kids and families throughout our community. Hearing former Club members tell stories about how my mom and dad changed their lives really inspired me."

In fact, one of his favorite stories happened before he was even old enough to remember it.

"I learned how to walk at the Boys & Girls Club," Colton said with a laugh. "I was about six months old, and the teenagers at the Club would take me from my dad's office and help me practice walking. My parents didn't believe them when they said I could already walk."

As he grew older, Colton became a Club member himself before volunteering as a high school student, coaching flag football and helping with youth sports. During college breaks, he worked part-time at the Club, and by graduation, he realized his future had been in front of him all along.

"It was never planned that I'd follow my dad's footsteps," he said. "But I'm so glad I chose this path."

Returning Home to Make a Difference

Colton began his professional career as a program director at the Boys & Girls Club in Bloomington, Indiana. While he loved the work and the relationships he built there, he missed being closer to family.

When an opportunity opened with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati in 2022, he jumped at the chance.

He started as Program Coordinator at the Jeff Wyler Club before being promoted just seven months later to Club Director of the Chase & Cole Fischer Club.

Since taking over, Colton has helped breathe new life into the Club.

"When I started, we were serving around 60 to 70 kids," he said. "Now we're serving about 150 youth during our after-school and summer programs."

Just as importantly, he's built a consistent, passionate staff committed to creating a positive experience for every member who walks through the doors.

"I've learned that I can coach people on a lot of things," Colton said. "But I can't coach passion. I look for people who genuinely love working with kids because the kids know when someone truly cares."

Keeping a Promise

When Colton first arrived at the Fischer Club, many members asked him the same question- “how long are you going to be here?”

"I made them a promise that I wasn't going anywhere," Colton said. "I told them I wanted to see them through graduation."

Several years later, he's kept that promise.

"Some of those kids are starting high school now, and I'm still here."

That consistency has helped build trust while creating a culture where members know they have dependable adults they can count on every day.

More Than an After-School Program

Colton believes every child deserves the same opportunities he experienced growing up.

"It's always my goal to give kids the same experience I had," he said. "A safe place, trusted adults, opportunities to learn something new, build relationships and become successful regardless of what they're experiencing outside the Club."

That commitment extends beyond traditional programming.

Inspired by his father's example, Colton regularly opens the Club on select Saturdays so members have another safe place to spend time, play basketball, participate in esports and simply enjoy being together.

"We want to give them an alternative," he said. "Instead of sitting at home with nothing to do, they have somewhere positive to go."

The Fischer Club has also become a leader in workforce development programming, helping high school students explore careers, visit college campuses, meet professionals from a variety of industries and learn about opportunities ranging from military service to skilled trades.

"We're giving our teens options," Colton said. "We're listening to what interests them and helping prepare them for whatever comes next."

Building the Future

Having spent his entire life around Boys & Girls Clubs, Colton understands the lasting impact they can have.

"I tell our members that I grew up in a Club," he said. "I'm proud to be a Club kid. It helped make me who I am today."

That perspective fuels everything he does.

"This group of kids is the future of our society," he said. "Our job is to help them become successful, no matter where they come from."

Outside of work, Colton enjoys spending time with family and watching football. He is also eagerly anticipating becoming a first-time uncle this summer. But even on weekends, it's not unusual to find him back at the Club helping with events or opening the building for members.

"Everyone who knows me knows how much I love what I do," he said. "I always have a smile on my face because these kids light up my world. Seeing them grow, succeed and become confident young people is why I come to work every day."

For Colton, the Boys & Girls Club has been home since his very first steps. Today, he's making sure the next generation of Club kids has the same opportunity to build friendships, discover their potential and create a foundation for a successful future.