Elizabeth, who everyone calls Elly, has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club
of Contra Costa for two years. In that time she has grown into a young person who
leads with confidence, creativity and kindness. This year she became our first Junior
Youth of the Year candidate and went on to win the title for the entire Boys & Girls Clubs
of Silicon Valley.
Before joining the Club, Elly spent her afternoons at the community pool learning to
swim and spending time with friends. When she arrived at the Club she found
something different. She found a place that encouraged her to explore her interests, try
new things and meet people outside her usual circle. She says the Club helped her
become more outgoing and more open to getting to know others.
One of the first places she stepped into leadership was the Karaoke Club. Elly did not just join it. She created it. As President she built a space where members could sing, dance and enjoy themselves without fear of judgment. At school she sometimes feels unsafe or judged for the things she enjoys. At the Club she feels safe. She calls it her home away from home.
Her leadership also connects to a tradition at the Martinez Clubhouse. Every Friday, members help create and run mini clubs based on their passions. These Friday mini clubs give young people a chance to share what they love and invite others to join in. Elly’s Karaoke Club grew out of this spirit and quickly became one of the most popular
Friday activities.
Her confidence continued to grow when she joined a small community garden project
that became something much bigger for the city of Martinez. Alongside her peers and
volunteers from the New Leaf Collaborative, she helped build a shared garden where
families can pick fresh fruits and vegetables. She planted seeds, replaced soil, watered
beds, pulled weeds and helped paint signs that now welcome visitors.
The garden project also sparked something new at the Club. Members were so inspired
by the experience that they created a Garden Club, where they continue to learn and
work together. With their help, part of the area in front of the clubhouse has now been
converted into a native pollinator garden. It is a space filled with plants that support
butterflies and bees, and the kids enjoy tending to it and watching it grow.
Soon after, Elly stepped into the arts. After performing in Oliver Jr she began attending
more art lessons and helped launch Drama Matters. Drama Matters is part of the core
curriculum in our arts program, and Elly quickly became one of the members who
helped bring it to life. With her experience she was asked to help teach her peers the
full process of putting on a production. She has helped guide rehearsals, organize
responsibilities and build a program that will continue long after she moves on.
Through all of these experiences Elly has discovered her voice and her ability to lead.
She says it best in her own words:
“Without the Boys & Girls Club, I believe I would not have been given so many
wonderful opportunities to lead, experience and inspire the community created by our
clubhouse. I hope to see my peers gain the same qualities that I have received.
Grabbing onto the many possibilities that will allow them to begin their great future,
because I believe it all starts here.”
