“The Club is like a key to all the closed doors anyone might face in their future.  I am confident that any obstacles I may encounter can be conquered because of the exceptional talents I received from the Boys & Girls Club.” 

                                                                                                             - Yaroslav

Yaroslav can recall the exact moment he knew he wanted to become Youth of the Year for his Clubhouse.  It was 2004 and he was watching his older sister Olga onstage delivering her own Youth of the Year speech.  It was a proud moment for the entire family, who emigrated from the Ukraine in 1996 to give their children a better life.  Olga’s speech helped Yaroslav see the power of the Club to change lives and inspired him to pursue the Youth of the Year title.   

 

Both Yaroslav – known as Yaro – and his sister have overcome some tough odds to get where they are today.  When their family first came to the country, they didn’t speak English and lived in hard, crowded conditions in one of San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods.  But they didn’t need to look far to find a positive place for kids:  the Tenderloin Clubhouse was located right in their apartment building.  Yaro became a member when he was just six years old.  “It was as if the Club was enchanted,” he said.  “I could go there and never have to worry about a single thing.”

 

Over the years, Yaro says the Club opened many doors for him and helped prepare him for his future.  Educationally, the Club pushed him to do well in school and gave him the tutoring and support to succeed.  Programs like Career Launch and Money Matters taught him job training and how to manage his finances.  But the Club also helped Yaro discover and one of his most special talents:  leadership.  Elected as president to both Torch and Keystone Clubs – leadership programs for members – he has served as a role model, spearheading volunteer projects like feeding the homeless and giving neighborhood kids a safe place to trick-or-treat.  He was recently chosen to serve on the Steering Committee for the Keystone Pacific Regional Conference, a crowning achievement.

 

It’s no surprise that Yaro – who long strove to become Youth of the Year – has big plans for his future.  He plans on attending a four year college when he graduates high school in 2009, and says he wants to accomplish three things in life: to give back to his community, leave a legacy, and live comfortably.  And, thanks to the Club, Yaro says nothing is standing in his way.

 

• Meet the rest of the 2008 Youth of the Year finalists