Johnny

Being a team player and willing to buy into the craziness that is Club is not an easy task; however one staff member completely took this challenge in stride this year. Whether that means willingly dressing as a statue in the Club’s haunted house or dying your hair purple for summer teambuilding and having to wear a hat any time you had to step foot in public, this person was game for it all. It’s this kind of “go-get-em” and “whatever it takes” attitude that makes him an incredible asset to our members and an essential key to the Lockwood and Teen Team.

Since his takeover of the Lockwood Teen Center, he has provided our members with the consistency and accountability they need to be successful. Through his continued accountability, several of the Lockwood teen members have significantly improved their grades and gotten many of their missing assignments completed. He intentionally makes connections with every member of his program and does not give up when the going gets tough. He seeks advice and mentorship from others to learn new skills to ensure that he can meet every Club member where they are and help them succeed.

Not only does he build strong relationships with the teen members, he has also implemented impactful programming that keeps members engaged in the Club. Teens have the choice to go to Club, and if they are not engaged or committed, they will often choose to leave. During Johnny’s time at the Lockwood Clubhouse, the number of teens attending daily has skyrocketed. Working with teens is not an easy task, but he’s figured out the formula to keep them coming back. By continually running engaging and educational programming while still maintaining a healthy amount of sarcasm and sass, Johnny has built a Club community that allows members to fully be themselves.

Johnny’s commitment and dedication to the success of our members and program make him an extremely qualified candidate for the Pursue Greatness Core Value award. Our program and members are better because he is here, and what he has accomplished during his time at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County is nothing short of greatness.