Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club Appoints New Program Director

Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Desirae O’Neill as Program Director overseeing the Club’s overall program and staff serving youth ages 6-18. The Club’s Core Program Areas include Education and Career Development; The Arts; Health and Life Skills; Character and Leadership Development; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.

From a shy Club member to summer youth employee to part-time Middle School Coordinator and now Program Director, Desirae O’Neill is without a doubt one of the organization’s most persuasive success stories. Desirae was born and raised in Glen Cove and first joined the Club at the age of nine. She soon became a regular and active member and has remained committed and dedicated to Club she credits for helping to shape her future. “I found my comfort zone at the Club and I really have to credit the staff for helping me to overcome my shyness,” said Desirae, who made many friends and felt a sense of belonging at the Club, so much so that she continued to participate in Club programs and activities all through elementary, middle school and high school, eventually enrolling in the Club’s Summer Youth Employment program. She worked at the Club during summers and holiday breaks while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Middle Eastern Studies from SUNY Binghamton University.

After graduation, Desirae worked as an Assistant Teacher at Hickory Hill Day School in Plainview and as a Family Advocate at Glen Cove Daycare Center. After a year at the two organizations she went on to pursue a Masters in Social Work in Non Profit Management at LIU Post. It was a this point that Desirae found herself back at her “home” away from home working part-time as Middle School Program Coordinator at the Club. “I wanted to help people and working at the Club provided a very unique opportunity for me. I am not only a teacher and I am not only an advocate; the Club bridged these two aspects and allowed me to become involved in and positively impact multiple aspects of a child’s life and their families’ life,” said Desirae, who as Program Director hopes to inspire the kids and junior staff to become great and positive examples for the Glen Cove community. “I am a product of our community and a product of the Club. I hope my story gives our members something to hope for and someone to look up to.”

“We are thrilled to have Desirae as Program Director. She has and continues to make an incredibly positive impact on our kids who look up to her, respect her and strive to follow in her footsteps,” said Interim Executive Director, Franca Trunzo.

Desirae will be working closely with Education Director Sean O’Callaghan and Teen Program Director Chris Ricco.