Jennifer, the 2012 BGCM Youth of the Year with Ivan Gilreath, President / CEO of BGCM

On Saturday, January 28^th, Jennifer Jiminez was named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Youth of the Year before a group of area supporters, friends and family at the annual organizational competition held at the Woodmen Tower. She was one of five contestants, each representing an area Club to compete from the title.

Other candidates included Devin Young (Carter Lake Unit), Allysia Holm-Peoples (Mt. View Unit), Darian Henry (North Unit) and Devin Rollins (Westside Unit).

Jennifer, along with the other candidates delivered their speeches and gave interviews in front of a panel of judges including Victor Baez, Tom Kerr, Rick Kimble, Clarence Nichols and Marjory Podraza.

Jennifer began her speech in Spanish.

“I am the Boys & Girls Clubs,” Jiminez said, translating her original statement.

She recounted her early childhood difficulties in earning English.

“I couldn’t understand what the teachers were telling me at school,” Jennifer said. “I felt frustrated, dumb and out of place.”

On top of cultural setbacks, Jennifer said her family’s tight finances were another source of anxiety, leading the family to live out of a car for months and ration food.

“My parents never had money to put me in a sports class or a dance class,” Jiminez said. “But at the Boys & Girls Club, I didn’t care. I had this wonderful opportunity to enjoy being myself. I learned so many things that I still use today.”

Jiminez’s next stop is the state Youth of the Year Competition in Lincoln, March 20th. There she will compete against other organizational winners from across Nebraska for the state title. If selected, she will compete for the title of Midwest Regional Youth of the Year to win a $10,000 college scholarship. Regional Youth of the Year candidates compete for the national title in Washington, DC.

Pictures From the 2012 BGCM Youth of the Year:

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About Jennifer Jiminez

Jennifer  is currently a senior at Westside High School and has been coming to The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands South Unit for 4 years. She was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to Omaha, Nebraska when she was 7 years old. She’s been active in the Club, and is always willing to help. Upon high school graduation, Jennifer plans on attending the Art Institute of Los Angeles, where she will work towards a degree in fashion design. It is her dream to pursue a career in the fashion industry.

It’s time to mark your calendar for the event of the year.

Join us May 12th at the Omaha CenturyLink Center as The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands celebrates 50 years of making our community a great place to be a kid.

We’re brining in Boys & Girls Club alumni and rock ‘n’ roll legends Kool & the Gang to help us Celebrate Good Times and kick off another 50 years of service to our youth.

A sample of the evening’s entertainment:

Event Information

• Date: Saturday, May 12th, 2012
• Time:  6:00 pm
• Place: Omaha Centurylink Center – 455 North 10th Street (click for a map)

Formal invitations will be arriving soon. Follow us on Facebook for more information about our event and to learn about all Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands has done over the past 50 years and all we are continuing to do to make great futures for area kids.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Clubs at 402-342-1600 or by email events@bgcomaha.org.

BGCA National Spokesman Denzel Washington and Director Ron Howard Issue a Call to Action to America on Behalf of Millions of Youth Most in Need.

The NCAA Baseball post season may be over, but Team USA is in full swing with a recent stop in Omaha. After a game against Japan at TD Ameritrade Park on Friday night, Team USA held a skills clinic at Ultimate Baseball Academy on Saturday, July 9th.

South Club Youth Development Professional, Matt Patten, took 36 members from the North, South, Westside and Carter Lake Clubs to the clinic.

“It was really fun,” said Patten. “Team USA did a great job working with our kids on the basics they need to be successful later on in their playing careers. We hope they can come back next year.”

Keystone Club members from the North Unit have joined in the effort to send aid to the victims of the Joplin, MO tornado. On June 22nd, members dropped off items from their donation drive, including clothing, shoes and blankets, to the Salvation Army. Adrial Mitchell, Teen Services Director at the North Unit, expressed thanks to her Club and all of those who participated in the drive, “A HUGE thanks to everyone who generously gave to helping the victims in Joplin.”

To find out how you can help the victims of Joplin, MO and those affected by severe weather and floods locally, visit givesalvationarmy.org.

Over 500 people “hit the beach” at On the Road benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands (BGCM) on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Stinson Park at Aksarben Village. The event was sponsored by Battle Sports Science.

Honorary chairs, Howard Kooper and Tom Fellman along with chairs, Kirk and Sue Swartzbaugh commented, “the energy surrounding the event really shows the support the community has for the youth served by the Boys & Girls Clubs.”

BGCM President and event emcee, Ivan Gilreath, dedicated the event to long-time Club supporter Phil Schrager. Terri, Rick and Harley Schrager joined Ivan on stage to accept a memorial plaque and to say a few words about Phil’s legacy and the impact he had on underprivileged youth in Omaha.

Chancellor Smith, the 2010 Nebraska Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year and a beneficiary of a Phillip and Terri Schrager Foundation Scholarship, spoke at the event. “Chancellor showed us all why the Clubs are so important. He shared his story and got the crowd excited about the work the Clubs do every day,” said Kirk Swartzbaugh.

The event itself brought in $240,000 to support the Club’s five core program areas:  character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.

A very special thanks to all of the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and staff that made On the Road possible.

For event photos go to http://www.bgcomaha.org/gallery/?album=1&gallery=45