Roseland Pullman Boys & Girls Club

Living in one of the deadliest neighborhoods in Chicago, Keith Ferguson knows all too well the dangers and risks that many young people in Chicago face each day.  As a member of the Roseland Pullman Boys & Girls Club, he knew that the Club provided a safe haven for him during the vulnerable after school hours.  What he didn’t realize was how the Club would make him a leader.

 

"Being at the Club and being president of Torch Club (leadership and service club for youth age 11-13) gave me the confidence to do many other things and to come out of my shell," said Keith.  "When I wake up in the morning, I rise and shine knowing I will be at a safe place with friends and people that feel like family."  In addition to his leadership at the Roseland Pullman Boys & Girls Club, Keith won a citywide history fair and participates in the Chicago Public Schools All-City Elementary Youth Chorus.

 

Keith was selected from among hundreds of youth in grades 6-8 as the 2011 Junior Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.  The program, which is similar in scope to its sister program Youth of the Year for high school-age Club members, encourages young people to develop leadership skills during their adolescent years and to begin thinking about their futures.  Candidates compete for this honor by completing applications, writing essays, obtaining recommendations and engaging in public speaking.  "The earlier we can get young people to possess the confidence to identify and eloquently express their goals, the better chance they have of accomplishing those goals," said Scott Lorenz, Vice President of External Affairs.

 

The Junior Youth of the Year competition, which was held March 31, included seven semi-finalists from area Boys & Girls Clubs who gave speeches to an audience at the Polo Café, 3222 South Morgan Avenue.  The event was generously hosted by Dave Samber, owner and chef of Polo Cafe, who is on the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club board.  Each candidate received a $50 gift card, five tickets to a White Sox game and a Blackhawks hat.  In addition, Keith also received a laptop computer in recognition of his win.  Event judges included Mark Germano of The Alford Group; Ashley Hinton of the Chicago Blackhawks; and Tracey Fitzgerald, president of BGCC's Associates Board.