When kids fail in school, everyone loses. This is not a school or parent issue; this is a community issue. It affects our economy and the strength of our nation.

To understand some of the many challenges of our current public education system, view Waiting for “Superman,” a documentary which follows five young people as they try to find the best education available in their neighborhoods. While the film, directed by Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim, may not have all of the answers, we know that each of us can contribute to the solution.

Community-based organizations, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, can make a difference in the academic success of our children. Through programs that address education, healthy choices, character and leadership and more, Clubs can guide young people through the challenges they face in and out of school, while helping them to discover their interests and aspirations. Clubs are there for youth after the school bell rings, giving them options to learn, grow and develop into responsible adults.

Original post, written by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, appeared on the In Their Words blog.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is excited to announce Omaha native and Boys & Girls Clubs alum, Ivan Gilreath, as President and CEO, effective February 1st, 2011. Ivan returned to Omaha from Minneapolis, after five years with insurance giant ING, most recently as the President of the company’s Employee Benefits Division. Before ING, Ivan spent 20 years with Mutual of Omaha.

“It feels really good to be back in Omaha, leading the organization that gave me so much,” says Gilreath. “I have spent my entire professional career in the corporate world, but never lost my passion for serving at-risk youth.”

Ivan grew up in a single-parent household with four siblings. While his mother worked hard to support the family, Ivan spent much of his time at the North Omaha Boys Club. He recalls certain staff members at the Club as being the positive male role models who set positive examples, and laid the foundation upon which he would achieve great things.

“I am a product of my club and my community,” Gilreath says with conviction. “I hope my story and my experiences will inspire the youth of our Clubs to dream bigger and expect more of themselves and their futures. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is a great organization and I look forward to continuing that tradition of greatness. Today more than ever our young men and women need the Boys & Girls Clubs. Our mission is to provide the programs and activities that will lead them towards becoming positive and productive members of society.”

“A committee of community and board members organized the national search for our new President,” says BGCM Board Chairman, Tim Holland. “We received hundreds of qualified resumes both nationally and locally. Through an exhaustive process we found the best candidate in Ivan. His leadership skills and passion for youth development will be a great asset for the children of Omaha.”

Ivan takes over the Club reins from retiring CEO, Fred Schott. Schott will play the role of senior advisor and will work closely with Ivan during the transition process, and beyond as needed.

Ivan’s management team will include two experienced Club professionals; Tom Kunkel, Chief Professional Officer, and Laura Schabloske, Chief Development Officer. Kunkel and Schabloske will continue to play key roles in Club operations and fundraising. Both are passionate believers in the Boys & Girls Club movement and the impact it has on the youth in Omaha, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs.

About Ivan
Ivan Gilreath joined the Boys & Girls Clubs after a 28-year career in the for-profit sector, most recently with ING as the President of the Employee Benefits Division. Prior to joining ING, he spent 20 years at Mutual of Omaha and four years with Xerox Corporation.

Gilreath serves on the board of counselors at University of Nebraska Medical Center and the national advisory board of the University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Business. He has a long history of community leadership having served as a volunteer for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the board of the Urban League of Nebraska, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the YMCA Black Achievers, the Urban League Black Executive Exchange Program and Omaha Chamber of Commerce 21st Century Steering Committee. He founded the Midwest Trailblazers mentoring and basketball organization, which provides opportunities for young men and women to develop leadership and social skills, while supporting athletic ability.

He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in marketing from the University of Nebraska in 1982, where he also played intercollegiate Division I basketball. In 1989, Gilreath earned a masters degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Gilreath was honored with the “Living the Dream” award from the City of Omaha, and in 2002, was given the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Distinguished Alumni award from the College of Business. In 2007, he was awarded the Whitney M. Young Leadership Award from the Urban League of Nebraska.

The National Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Competition begins with each Club selecting a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion, and then represents their Club at the State level competition. Below are the candidates selected to represent each of the six Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands locations, in the upcoming Youth of the Year competition on January 15, 2011.

DaSean
North Unit
9 Year Member
Marian High School
12^th Grade

DaSean is a very important part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Midlands’ North Unit.  She has participated in many programs and events at the Club.  The staff and Club members love and appreciate everything she does.  DaSean has a great attitude and a genuine love for The Club.  She is a reliable and positive role model to many.

Jesse
South Unit
8 Year Member
Omaha South High School
12^th Grade

Jesse has had to overcome various obstacles in his short seventeen years of life.  When Jesse was growing up in his neighborhood he witnessed many disturbing images that no child should ever have to witness.  With all kinds of negativity happening around him Jesse admits that he could have gone down the wrong path, but through the grace of God he was introduced to the Club.  A positive place for kids  where he could escape the problems in his neighborhood. Jesse realized that he could express himself in any positive way without having to hear other kids try and put him down with verbal or physical abuse.  Jesse now is going to graduate high school and is looking forward to joining the Marine Corps.

Devin
Carter Lake Unit
6 Year Member
Thomas Jefferson High School
10^th Grade

Devin is a dedicated and hardworking, member of the Club, brother, son, and grandson.  Devin has participated in numerous Club programs including Passport to Manhood, Smart Moves, Club Possible, Triple Play, Torch Club, Keystone Club, Image Makers, and many others.  His submission this past year in the black & white category Image Makers was a regional winner for his age group.  On top of being very active at the Boys & Girls Club in Carter Lake, he is active in his school as well.  His is involved in cross country, baseball, basketball, and track.  He also takes part in Engineering Club with his school, learning more about opportunities for his future.  Devin is an intelligent and goal oriented young man with many opportunities in front of him.

Canadi
Westside Unit
5 Year Member
Westside High School
10^th Grade

Canadi demonstrates leadership everyday at the Boys & Girls Club.  The first thing she accomplishes when entering the Club on a daily basis is helping our younger member with their homework in the Education Center.  She does an amazing job of being patient and going over things until they are familiar and have the knowledge to finish it on their own. But she doesn’t quit there. She follows that by going to the Teen Center to help out members her own age.  That’s probably the most surprising and most satisfying service Canadi does for this organization – being a role model for others.

Precious
Mount View Unit
1 Year Member
Benson High School
9th Grade

Precious is a 14 year old freshman at Benson High School and is one of Mt. View’s everyday members and mentors.  Precious is always seen helping out the front office with the coat and bag check in, interacting with the younger members. She participated in the Stock Market Challenge in 2010.  Precious is also a member of the Keystone Club at Mt. View and is looking forward to some of the fun and exciting things that they have planned for the teen center in the spring.

Cameron
Council Bluffs Unit
8 Year Member
Bellevue East High School
10^th Grade

Cameron is a sophomore at Bellevue East High School.  She is involved in many activities including forensics, the school’s newspaper, National Art Honor Society, cross country, soccer, dance and Key Club.  She is also member of French Club, student council, Future Business Leaders of America and did costuming and make up for her school’s production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.  Cameron has dedicated her summers to volunteering at her Club.  She spent nearly 40 hours a week at the Club running an art club for younger members and particularly liked working with the kindergartners and first graders.  She also ran Cooking Club, talking with the younger members about different snacks from cultures around the globe.  Cameron has competed in the Stock Market Challenge twice. She has also completed NetSmartz and Date Smart.

On Thursday, March 11^th, Chancellor Smith was named Nebraska Youth of the Year before a group of Club dignitaries, state senators, Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, friends and family. Cameron Crockrom, a member of the Offutt AFB Boys & Girls Club, received runner-up honors.

For Chancellor, Cameron and Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands YOY finalists, Jerry Geho and Brad Herring, it was a whirlwind day. At 9:00 am the candidates gave their speeches in front of a panel of judges. While the judges deliberated, Chancellor, Cameron, Jerry and Brad joined members of the Lincoln, Grand Island and Winnebago Clubs at the Nebraska State Capital to be applauded by members of the Unicam.

Following their time observing Nebraska senators debate current issues, the candidates walked across the street to the Governor’s Mansion for a luncheon in their honor. After Chancellor and Cameron were given the opportunity to speak directly to the group in attendance, Lt. Governor Sheehy stepped to the front of the room and announced Chancellor as the State’s winner.

Chancellor’s next stop is the Regional Youth of the Year Competition in Chicago this July. There he will compete against other state winners from across the Midwest Region for a $10,000 college scholarship and a chance to compete  for the national honor in Washington, DC.

Click here for more event photos.

The Winter 2010 edition of the Clubhouse Newsletter is available now by clicking the image below. Download the full version to read stories on financial literacy programs, Club celebrations, the State of the Clubs from President & CEO, Fred Schott and more.