Youth of the Year for James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club

Jonathan joined the James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club when he was just six years old. Over the past nine years, the peers and staff at the Club have become his “extended family.” At the Club, he met her first group of real friends and found a group of adults, in addition to her parents, who provided him with support and challenged him to excel.

From a young age, Jonathan’s family and mentors recognized his natural leadership skills, compassion, and humility. Boys & Girls Clubs did, too! Over the past 10 years, the staff and peers at his Club have worked to build on Jonathan’s strengths and teach him to the value of giving back.

Jonathan credits the Boys & Girls Club with helping him overcome anger issues and shape him into a well-rounded person. While there, he has participated in programs such as CareerBound, a program that prepares teens for college testing, scholarships, campus life, and workplace experiences, as well as Money Matters, a program promoting financial responsibility and independence. Most importantly, Keystone Club, a service and leadership group for teens ages 14-18, which has inspired Jonathan to advocate for ending hate crimes and establishing fairness and equity for all. He has excelled in basketball and other activities at his Club.

Jonathan has played a huge role in implementing the teen garden at his Club. He has also led service projects at the Club, including tutoring and mentoring younger Club members. He has been recognized for giving advice and support to peers, encouraging them to always speak up for themselves.

Jonathan hopes to attend a two-year or four-year college and study engineering and business administration. Jonathan dreams of one day creating his own clothing line called Recreated Dreams.