Meet Elijah
A sophomore at Lely High School, Elijah is considered an innovative writer and critical thinker among his peers. He has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County for nearly 10 years. Elijah is one of the exceptional Club members who exemplifies the transformative power of the Character & Leadership initiative.
Character & Leadership, one of six core program areas at Boys & Girls Club, is a cornerstone of the mission to empower youth and make a lasting impact in their lives. Under this initiative, a range of programs are offered that are designed to instill strong character traits, foster leadership skills, and cultivate a sense of civic responsibility among our members. Within Character & Leadership, we provide various programs such as Torch Club, Keystone Club, and the Youth of the Year program. Each is tailored to different age groups and interests to offer our members the tools they need to develop into confident, responsible individuals with a deep understanding of their potential to effect positive change.
Through active participation in the Character & Leadership programs, Club members gain essential life skills such as teamwork, effective communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. They learn the value of civic engagement and discover how they can contribute meaningfully to their communities. As they progress through the programs, Club members become equipped with the confidence, resilience, and leadership abilities necessary for success in school, work, and life.
Over the past decade, Elijah has been actively involved in Junior Men of Initiative and has consistently worked on the Junior Culinary staff. A demonstration of his success, he was a two-time participant in our esteemed Youth of the Year program. His dedication to personal growth and community involvement extends beyond Youth of the Year. Elijah has also excelled in UPS Road Code, a program that works to educate the youth on road safety rules and procedures, earning the distinction of being named this year’s Ambassador. Additionally, he has taken advantage of opportunities in Workforce Readiness and Culinary Club, further expanding his skill set and exploring his passions.
Elijah’s commitment to maximizing his membership experience has not gone unnoticed. We are delighted to announce that he has been nominated to represent The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County at this year’s national Summit for America’s Youth in Washington, D.C. This prestigious nomination recognizes his exceptional leadership potential and the impact the Character & Leadership initiative has had on his personal growth and development.
“It (Boys & Girls Club) is a place where I can laugh and be safe with all those who care about me,” said Elijah. “This Club has offered me scholarship opportunities, relationships, and peace within myself that is rare to most. Throughout my years of laughs, field trips, programs and all, this Club was a sanctum. It was through those grand blue doors I went to live the best years of my life, and through those grand blue doors I will leave my mark on the Club and the world.”
Elijah added, “These people (the Club staff and volunteers) refuse to let me fail and will not let go until I am the best version of myself and until all members attending this Club are the leaders of tomorrow.”