Thank you St. Helena, Calistoga and the entire upper Napa Valley for giving me 15+ years of great friendships, many successes, and more enjoyment than I ever thought possible. This August, I will be stepping aside as the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club.
Fifteen years ago, I walked into the St. Helena Clubhouse, then located at the Catholic School. I had been a classroom teacher, started a non-profit back in the 70s, directed several youth educational and recreational programs, and had recently left my position as Executive Director of the Mendocino Woodlands, a division of the State Park System. The first three people I met were Lynne Hall, Marissa Viera (now Iano) and Trent Yaconelli. We were all anxious. They didn't know how wonderful a person I was and I surely didn't know what a joy it would be to work with the three of them for the next fifteen years.
Over the last month, as word got out about my decision to leave, people have asked my about what I was most proud of. At first, I would answer with: serving more children (from 50 in 1997 to 1,862 in 2011); starting the Calistoga program in 2000; Club Members' academic success; and of course the new St. Helena Clubhouse, which opened in January 2008. But recently, I found the real answer...
A couple of weeks ago, at a staff lunch, I looked around and realized that five of the St. Helena summer staff, now college students/graduates, were former Club Member. Two of them were a Girl of the Year, one was a Boy of the Year (who was also the Club's very first intern over 10 years ago). Because several of Calistoga's gradating 6th graders wanted to help out this summer, the Calistoga staff created Junior Staff positions for them to assist and work with the regular staff. Why do they all come back? What are they getting? I asked them. "This is home"; "You guys are like my family"; "You always listened to me"; "You treated me with respect"; "You allowed me to do stupid stuff and still liked me"; "You were there for me when I needed to talk"; "You remembered my name, and I want to see if I can remember all the kids names"; "I had a great time here and I want others to have the same experience".
Over the past fifteen years, through good and hard times, the Clubs have open their doors every day after school and all day during the summer and school holiday times. We keep showing up...day after day, week after week, year after year. We have become "the touch point" in the lives of so many children. What am I most proud of......we changed and saved lives and we continue to do so.
Again, thank you to all the people who served as Members of the Board of Directors, to the ever-giving staff, to the countless community volunteers, to all the Service Clubs, to my other non-profit partners, and to everyone who donated their pennies and dollars. All of you played a part in allowing the Club to open more doors and keep them open. You shared your knowledge, heart, and zest for life. You made my job a joy...you helped change and save lives.
IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL RIDE.
