Character & Leadership Development

Congratuations to our Youth of the Year
finalists and 2007 Winner, Martina Devlin!

Our Character & Leadership Development programs empower youth to support and influence their Clubs and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others' cultural identities.

Examples of Character & Leadership Development programs include:

Junior Staff - In this program, members ages 8-12 learn what it's like to develop programs and be a Club staff member. As they assist staff members, they learn responsibility and develop pride in the Club. Guided by a professional adult, youngsters participate throughout the Club and in community service projects. They learn life-long job skills while having fun. Members are recognized for their level of service. For more information, please contact the Social Recreation Director.

Keystone Club - Teen members take responsibility a step further when they participate in the Keystone Club. Community service, service to the Club, social activities, and regional and national conferences are what Keystone is all about. This group is considered the premiere leadership group and produces a number of outstanding members, including Martina Devlin, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua's Youth of the Year for 2007.

Martina comes from a long line of Club "Youths of the Year" including J.W. Williams, Aaron Lopez, Luis Perez, Mario Pena, Gail Norris, PJay Manley, Adolfo Ramirez, Ana Garcia, Janail Archer, Desiree Pearson. Nine of these individuals also went on to capture "Youth of the Year" honors at the state level. Through Keystone, these young men and women developed leadership skills, which served the Club, Nashua and all of New Hampshire. Contact the Individual Services Director for more information.

Torch Club – the Torch Club program is for members 11-13 years old. This small-group leadership development program promotes fitness, community service and leadership skills. Members elect officers and plan and implement their own activities and community service projects. Each Torch Club receives an official charter from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Torch Clubs are offered at all of our Club locations. Please contact the Program Director of each site for more information.

Teen Council – This group provides teen members the opportunity to gather and discuss issues common to all teens and to help plan Club-wide functions. Members help make decisions that affect them throughout the Club. The Council's committees help plan and run special programs for teens. Contact the Teen Director.

Los Amigos – This club promotes all cultures and traditions. It is designed to teach and inform the community about youth from Latino and other cultures and develop teen leaders. Los Amigos reaches out across socio-economic and cultural boundaries to bring members together in a common bond to help Nashua with several community service programs. Offered at both Nashua High School South and our Grand Avenue location, this group is the driving force behind the "Los Amigos Conference on Higher Education." The annual conference brings teens together from all cultures and helps them overcome the barriers that prevent them from obtaining a college education. Allstate Foundation has provided support to Los Amigos diversity and tolerance activities.

For more information, contact the Hispanic Outreach Director.

Teen Girls Group – a group formed by Club teen girls ages 13-18. The group talks about teen girls' issues that affect their social, school and home life. Contact the Teen Director.

Sports Club – This teen leadership group promotes physical fitness, interests in sports, and the potential for sports related careers. The Sports Club enrolls males and females 13 years and up. They are trained to coach, officiate, keep score, and assist with sports clinics. Contact the Athletic Director.

Do you need to locate a staff member? Please click here.