BGCBC July 2025 | Club Highlights

Club Highlights

Broward County Needs Club Kids

Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County is proud to be part of a bold new national campaign America Needs Club Kids.

The campaign from Boys & Girls Clubs of America is built on a simple idea: the America of tomorrow will be shaped by the way we invest in kids today – and places like Boys & Girls Clubs open the door for a future generation who will propel our country forward.

For more than 165 years, Boys & Girls Clubs across the country have been opening doors for kids and teens — helping them succeed in school, build life skills, discover passions, and grow into confident leaders. Now, Clubs are taking that message nationwide with a campaign designed to inspire more people to get involved.

No matter where you live, the message is clear: strong kids build strong communities. We all benefit from kids who grow up in Boys & Girls Clubs— this is why America Needs Club Kids and Broward County Needs Club Kids.

Making Waves in Our Community

At BGCBC, we believe in the power of giving back and there’s no better example than our newest summer staff at Carver Ranches!

Congrats to our 3 new summer aquatics team members who have successfully completed the Lifeguard Internship Program and earned their Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor certifications through the American Red Cross.

These incredible young leaders are not only investing in their own futures — they’re also stepping up to serve the very community that helped shape them. This summer, they’ll be part of the 2025 Aquatics Staff Team at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County using their training to teach, protect, and inspire their fellow club members.

And kudos to George Coneo, our excellent Aquatics Director at Carver Ranches, who continues teaching and echoing the importance of water safety to our Club members. It’s wonderful to see him recognized by the American Red Cross for his efforts and the huge impact he’s making in our community.

Gary Wendt Stops by Gary Wendt Teen Center in Sunrise!

Recently, we had the joy of catching up with the amazing Gary Wendt at the Gary Wendt Teen Center in Sunrise, Florida. It was a special day as he reminisced on the glory days and how Boys & Girls Clubs provided a foundation for him to become successful.

And as the 1-year anniversary celebration comes and goes for Gary Wendt Teen Center, we are reminded of Mr. Wendt’s generosity to our community and his unwavering commitment to support BGCBC. We are so grateful to him and all that he’s done and continues to do for us.

Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship: Emma A

We’re proud to celebrate our very own Emma A., recipient of the 2025 Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship ! Emma is the Youth of the Year for the Marti Huizenga Club and has been a proud Club member for 11 years. She is a shining example of leadership, resilience and determination-inspiring her peers every step of the way.

The Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship that Emma received is a four-year Florida Prepaid Tuition Scholarship and Emma will be attending Florida Atlantic University (FAU). It’s an incredible opportunity that will fully cover her tuition and help her pursue her academic goals without the burden of college debt.

Thank you to Coca-Cola Beverages Florida for supporting youth education and opening doors to a brighter future and our Board member Scottie Walker for your dedication!

Keystone Club Awards Celebration

At Xtreme Action Park, we proudly celebrated our 6 Silver, 5 Gold, and 1 Legacy chartered Keystone Clubs! During the celebration, we recognized outstanding achievements across the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County for the 2024–2025 program year.

We are so proud of the commitment, leadership, and passion our Teens and advisors continue to bring!

Huge congratulations to the following clubs and individuals:

Best Career Preparation Keystone Project– JM Family Teen Center

Best Academic Keystone Project-Lester H. White Club

Best Community Service Keystone Project-Harold “Hackie” Reitman, M.D. Club

Best Teen Outreach Keystone Project-Carver Ranches Club

Best National Keystone Project-The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Teen Center

Keystone Advisor of the Year– Ms. Cordesia D., Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center

Teen Spirit of Keystone-Jakeclaude M., Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center

Keystone Club of the Year-Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center

We can’t wait to see what our Keystone Clubs will achieve next!

2025 Senior Graduates

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Your journey is a reflection of leadership, growth, and impact and it’s only just beginning.

As you step into this next chapter, remember: once a Club kid, always a Club kid. Great futures truly start here.

Welcome to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Alumni Network! Your future is bright, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

Day in K Event: Museum of Discover and Science
and the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County

Thank you to the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County for an unforgettable evening at the Day in K event! We had such a great turnout with over 1,800 visitors and over 450 little learners take their first steps toward kindergarten readiness.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that’s passionate about connecting people and youth to inspiring science and meaningful learning experiences.

Let us know about your upcoming community events!

Contact Nicole Chaplin via email.

Role Models Who Inspire: Dr. Scott Ross

We’re proud to highlight Dr. Scott Ross, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Cleveland Clinic Weston, whose dedication to health, leadership, and community service sets an incredible example for the Youth/Teens we serve at Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Dr. Ross’s commitment to excellence and mentorship reminds our Club members that with hard work and support, anything is possible.

Thank you, Dr. Ross, for inspiring the next generation of leaders!

Want to be our next “Role Model” or know someone who would be interested? Please email Anith Benjamin: abenjamin@bgcbc.org to learn more.

Role Models Who Inspire: Jake Jorgensen

We are proud to shine the spotlight on Jake Jorgensen, co-owner of BlacktipH Fishing, one of the world’s most recognized and widely followed saltwater fishing media brands.

With over 13 million followers, Jake has played a pivotal role in transforming BlacktipH from a niche YouTube channel into a globally influential fishing and outdoor lifestyle brand with millions of followers across platforms.

Thank you, Jake, for inspiring the next generation of fishing enthusiasts and encouraging our Club members & Teens to pursue their passions. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about your journey to becoming the top global fishing and lifestyle brand! Thank you to Kennedy Barnett and Christopher Barnett for your continuous support as well.

Want to be our next “Role Model” or know someone who would be interested? Please email Anith Benjamin: abenjamin@bgcbc.org to learn more!

Nicole Melendez: 2025 Leadership Broward Graduate

Join us in congratulating Nicole Melendez, our incredible Vice President of Strategy, on graduating from Leadership Broward Foundation Class 43! Watching you go from a vibrant Club Alumni to now a leader in our movement is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with support, determination, and heart. Thank you for your impactful work and dedication to youth development.

We’re proud to call you one of our own! Check out Nicole’s Blue Doors to Great Futures Highlight Video

Round Up with Walmart

Support BGCBC! Round up to the nearest dollar at checkout next time you shop at Walmart!

July Work Anniversaries

Please join us to congratulate our Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County July Work Anniversaries!
These individuals have shown dedication, disposition, and passion in all they do for BGCBC.

Thank you, Happy Anniversary!