“During the 2022 Ready to Work graduation, Nicholas President and CEO Robert Lewis, Jr. ended his speech with something that had everyone jumping out of their seats. Robert offered graduates and alumni the opportunity to intern at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Main Office.”
This article was contributed by Emily Gonzalez De Los Santos, BGCB alumna and Marketing & Communications Intern.
Summer of 2022 was an exciting one filled with new opportunities for Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB)’s teens. During the 2022 Ready to Work graduation, Nicholas President and CEO Robert Lewis, Jr. ended his speech with something that had everyone jumping out of their seats. Robert offered graduates and alumni the opportunity to intern at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Main Office. At the end of the graduation, many Ready to Work Fellows volunteered. Izzy, Yawkey Club of Roxbury member, and Javon, Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club member, were two of the members working downtown with Robert this summer.
Izzy is a 16-year-old junior attending Wakefield Memorial High School, and Javon is 17 years-old and a senior at Lexington High School. Throughout the duration of the summer, the two were tasked with key projects, the biggest being a booklet representing the history of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston over the last decade.
While it seemed daunting at first, who better to tackle this project than two active members who have grown up in the Club since the age of 5? Izzy and Javon interviewed leaders from each of BGCB’s nine Clubs as well as YouthConnect. They also interviewed alumni to see what they’ve been up to since graduation, searched through the photo archives to locate pictures dating back to 2012, and used their graphic design skills to create the final piece. This booklet will be sent to BGCB’s Board, donors, and each Club.
Another project was creating member bios. Members from across BGCB were interviewed about their Club experience and why they enjoy going every day. It is an effective way to experience the Club through the lens of members ranging from first grade to seniors headed off to college. These member bios will be displayed in BGCB’s Main Office, so visit us to check them out—you might even find yourself leaving with an internship!
Robert Lewis, Jr. with Ready to Work Fellows Javon, Emily, and Izzy.
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Give TodayWe asked Ready to Work Fellows Izzy and Javon about their experience interning at BGCB—here’s what they said:
What was your favorite part of the project?
Izzy Morales: Interviewing the teens and younger kids. Teens have a whole life ahead of them and are reflecting on how the Club has helped. Also, they say what they are doing now and what they are planning to do. Talking to younger kids is funny, and you never know what to expect.
What piece of advice would you give to future interns?
Izzy Morales: Enjoy your time and make the most of it. It flies by fast, and you will work on your networking skills during the internship.
Javon Young: Make the most out of the experience because not everyone has the opportunity to have an internship.
For Javon, this is his first internship, so he was excited that it was with the CEO of an organization that has been a huge part of his life. Izzy is thankful to have had this opportunity and was excited to work closely with Robert and the other Main Office staff. The projects he collaborated on excited him, and he was glad to be a part of the evolution of BGCB throughout his summer internship.
Thank you Ready to Work and Nicolas President and CEO Robert Lewis, Jr. for granting this opportunity. Hopefully, this will open a whole new gateway of opportunities in our communities.
