Living Proof: Boys & Girls Clubs Work!

ORLANDO, Fla., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a Harris Interactive survey, 57 percent of Boys & Girls Club alumni said "the Club saved my life."  A closer examination of the 2013 inductees into Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame proves that the Club does indeed create "Great Futures."  (www.GreatFutures.org)

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This year's slate of eight honored during BGCA's 107th Annual National Conference reads like a veritable Who's Who in America with a R&B star, sports icon, Paralympian, military heroes, and award-winning hotelier.  The common denominator they all share – the positive impact of a Boys & Girls Club and their respective commitment to "giving back" as adult professionals.

The 2013 inductees include: U.S. Congressman, San Antonio, TX  Rep. Joaquin Castro; PBA Tour of Champions winner Kelly Kulick; 2012 Paralympian star, Blake Leeper; MLB icon and first African-American manager, Frank Robinson; founder of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Harris Rosen; R&B star performer and producer, Raphael Saadiq; NASA Mission Specialist, Capt. Winston Scott (Ret.); and the Coast Guard's Diversity Champion, Cmdr. Robert Smith. BGCA also welcomed 2011 AHOF inductee and President NBA Mothers' Association, Lucille O'Neal, substituting for fellow AHOF inductee and a 2013 Tony nominee Courtney B. Vance.  Vance is currently appearing to rave reviews in the Broadway hit "Lucky Man."

"We are extremely proud of our alumni who have gone on to achieve great things," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA.  "Their stories are very different, but all start out the same – with life-changing programs, caring and attentive staff, and the fun and safety of a local Boys & Girls Club."

"This year's class of inductees represents the power and impact a Club has not only on character and development, but also healthy lifestyles, and academic success," continued Clark.  "The 2013 inductees, as well as the other Alumni Hall of Fame members, are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs have the power to transform and save young lives every day."

Other distinguished members of BGCA's Alumni Hall of Fame include actor Denzel Washington, entertainer Jennifer Lopez, former NBA superstar Michael Jordan, WNBA standout Swin Cash, Olympic champion Jackie Joyner Kersee, and Gen. Wesley Clark, former NATO supreme allied commander.

The 2013 honored alumni and their stories are as follows:

Joaquin Castro
San Antonio, Texas

U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro is an American success story. The grandson of a Mexican immigrant, he rose from humble beginnings to enter a life of service. Growing up, Joaquin and his twin brother attended the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, gaining valuable leadership experience. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Joaquin was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002 at age 28. He served five terms before being elected to Congress in 2012. Having experienced America's promise firsthand, Representative Castro is committed to providing future generations the same opportunity to achieve their own great futures – and inspiring young members at his former Club.

Kelly Kulick
Union, N.J.

In 2010, pro bowler Kelly Kulick became the first woman to win the men's Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions. But her athletic talents and competitive spirit were apparent years earlier at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, N.J. At the Club, Kelly tried – and excelled at – every possible athletic activity. She went on to attend Morehead State University, where she was two-time collegiate bowler of the year. She played on the Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour before making PBA history. Kelly can often be found teaching bowling clinics, passing on her love of bowling to new generations.

Blake Leeper
Church Hill, Tenn.

Born without legs and feet, Blake Leeper was fitted for his first prostheses as an infant. At the age of 5, he joined the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport in Tennessee. Attending the Club enabled him to develop his athletic skills and to understand that education always comes first. In 2012, Blake won silver and bronze at the London Paralympic Games. In 2016, he hopes to be the first American to compete in both the Paralympic and the Olympic Summer Games. Going forward, Blake plans to finish his bachelor's degree in applied physics, and then study medicine.

Frank Robinson
Oakland, Calif.

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson first encountered baseball when he moved from Texas to California. A staff member at the Oakland Boys Club helped him to learn and understand the game. Frank went on to become one of the greatest baseball players ever. His numerous accomplishments include winning the American League Triple Crown in 1966 and being the only player to be named MVP of both the American and National Leagues. While still an active player, he became the first African-American manager in Major League history. Today, Frank serves as Major League Baseball's Executive Vice President of Baseball Development.

Harris Rosen
New York, N.Y.

As the founder and CEO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Harris Rosen has come a long way from New York's Hell's Kitchen. Growing up in the rough neighborhood, Harris found safe supervision and mentorship at the 10th Street Boys Club. He discovered a love of swimming and became one of the city's top competitive swimmers. Harris went on to earn a degree in hotel administration from Cornell University. In 1974, he purchased his first hotel. Today, he is Florida's most successful independent hotelier. A renowned philanthropist, Harris founded the Tangelo Park Program to benefit residents of the Orlando community it's named for, including providing free preschool and college educations to its young people.

Raphael Saadiq
Oakland, Calif.

The Oakland Boys Club was the one place in Raphael Saadiq's neighborhood where a kid could do the right thing and still fit in. There, Raphael could leave behind the violence of the streets for fun and safety. As a teen, he chose bumper pool and woodshop over the gangs outside. The Club's summer camp got him out of the city and onto the stage for talent shows. At 17, he earned a spot touring with Prince. Later, he was one-third of the multi-platinum Tony! Toni! Tone! Today, Saadiq is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer, known for classic R&B and his unique, modern soulful sound.

Capt. Winston Scott (Ret.)
Miami, Fla.

With the support of Miami's Southwest Boys Club, Winston Scott overcame the limitations of a largely segregated education. After attending the Club for five years, Winston earned his degree from Florida State University. He then joined the Navy, earning a distinguished record of service as a naval aviator and officer. In 1992, Captain Scott was selected by NASA for the space program. As a mission specialist, he logged nearly 25 days in space. Today, Captain Scott is Dean of the College of Aeronautics at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Cmdr. Robert Smith
Brooklyn, N.Y.

At Brooklyn's Flatbush Boys Club, future Coast Guard Commander Robert Smith gained the confidence to dream big. Knowing Robert would benefit from its safe supervision and positive male role models, a school counselor introduced him to the Club. There, Robert thrived under the guidance of a Club tutor and loved to swim in the Club's pool. Commander Smith's many contributions to the Coast Guard include providing service and support to more than 2,000 personnel in northern California and successfully developing the Coast Guard's Diversity Strategy. He has also developed numerous mentoring programs for middle and high school youth.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has been changing and saving young lives, providing hope and opportunity for kids who need them most.  Today, some 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.8 million young people through Club membership and community outreach.  Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found all across the country and on U.S. military bases throughout the world.  Clubs provide young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff.  In communities large and small, Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens.  Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their life.  National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America