Allyson comes from a neighborhood where most of the kids are familiar with having a single parent. Many kids don’t have a place to go to afterschool but not Allyson she has the Boys and Girls Club. She has been a member of the Club for six years. Allyson says she feels appreciated at the Club and now as a teen she will continue coming to the Club to help out as many younger members as she can.

Adrianita doesn’t want to become just another statistic of teenage single mothers like her oldest sister is. She has seen her sister and her mother struggle financially and be unable to get an education which is why Adrianita works hard in school and in everything she does. She’s in band, JV soccer, AVID and volunteers her time to the Club where she is an essential piece of the teen program.

Loren has been dreaming of the day he will go off to college, graduate, earn a degree and be the difference this community needs.  He has helped others throughout his life, because to Loren helping others is what life is all about.  His good moral character began at an early age, when he would take care of his 2 grandmothers while his parents struggle to take care of the finances.  Being a part of the club he had the chance to mentor younger kids and was able to relate to their learning difficulties as Loren had growing up with undiagnosed ADD.

Janice doesn’t give into peer pressure which she credits her mother for. Seeing her mom struggle, having to raise 4 kids by herself because her father was sent to prison over 10 years ago, she stays positive for her younger brothers and sisters.  She is the oldest and she takes care of the home while her mother struggles to work 2 jobs.  Janice is the role model to her brothers and sisters, and this keeps her focused on staying out of trouble and succeeding in school.

Struggling financially was the only thing he has ever known.  Edwin never had the essential needs such as food, clothing, nor the commodities.  Losing his home has always been his fear, and he blames it on the lack of education his parents have.  Due to his struggles he has set high standards for himself, and the dedication to get a job at the age of 17 to help support his family and to prepare for the college expenses he will face.

“Estefana has already become a true success story” said her mentor.  From being saved from her drug-addict biological parents as an infant, to losing the first mother-figure she ever knew to a heart attack at the young age of 5.  She now stays at home on her spare time to care for her elderly step-father.  Aside from her school, she doesn’t live a normal teenage life.  Her only escape is the Club.

Amsi, comes from a conservative family, who is dealing with an illness her father has recently been diagnosed with and the family is struggling to accept the long term impact it will leave on them.  Being the youngest her family doesn’t want to burden her with the concerns of caring for her father so she keeps herself busy with school activities and being at the Club.