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DEAR EDITOR:
At just 6 years old, I walked through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club not knowing that it would become one of the most influential parts of my life. What began as a safe place to go after school quickly transformed into the foundation of who I would become.
The club gave me more than a place to spend time. It gave me my lifelong friendships, best man at my wedding and my first computer, an incredible gift that sparked my passion for technology and music. It was also through the club that I was first introduced to computer programming along with web design. At the age of 10, I was a web developer with my first website I built live on the World Wide Web.
But the impact didn't stop with academics. I learned life skills at the Club -- how to cut grass, how to take care of responsibilities, and even how to drive. The Club didn't just prepare me for school or work. It prepared me for life.
Last year, I had the privilege of partnering with the Boys & Girls Club through my youth musical arts program. Together, we created a space where students could explore music as both a creative outlet and a tool for emotional growth. I was able to teach club members musical arts and music therapy skills, helping them express themselves, build confidence, and find peace through rhythm and sound. During the program I had a great opportunity to mentor and work with the Youth of the Year, Jeremiah Robinson. He was a young leader throughout the program. Our work together helped shape the base for the final album project that the students were able to present to their family at the end. The entire experience was a powerful and personal full-circle moment, returning not just as a mentor, but as someone who once sat where they sit now, filled with the same curiosity and potential.
Today, I have the honor of serving as a board member for the very same club that once gave so much to me. The chance to be seen, supported, and empowered to dream beyond their circumstances. The Boys & Girls Club is more than a safe space. It's a launch pad for DREAMS. And if you ever wonder whether your support matters, let me assure you, it absolutely does. I am living proof.
CHARLES COLVIN JR.
Youngstown