Today we’d like to introduce you to Edgar Montiel.
Edgar, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My time here at the Boys Club starts back in 1999 when I first became a member at the age of 13. I was a very shy and timid teenager that needed a place to fit in. The Boys Club was a place where I felt included and some sense of belonging. It became my second home and I was there every day after school.
I was able to participate in sports, do homework, and most importantly, have a safe place spend my free time. I quickly became more and more involved with Boys Club, not only participating in the programs but helping mentor the younger youth that attended during my high school years. After graduating, I attended Southern Illinois University and finished up at Northern Illinois University with a Bachelors of Science in Education.
As I entered my student teaching, the current Boys Club Executive had announced his retirement after 42 years. As much as I loved teaching, my heart was still at the Club. I was fortunate enough to be selected to step in as Director and CEO in 2015, and my ambitions were high. Our Club has always settled with mediocre, but I stepped in with a mindset that our youth deserve the best!
I’m happy to say that with the help of our amazing staff, board members and strong community, our Club has been making tremendous strides.
Since 2015, our annual campaign has raised over $98,000, with the most recent year raising $50,000. Our state and federal grants have been increasing, and our facility has been getting some much-needed updates. We’ve added a Teen Center, full commercial kitchen and will be having the entire flooring and carpet replaced this Summer. With the addition of our kitchen, our food program will now serve over 30,000 meals a year!
We’ve also helped expose our youth to new opportunities that they wouldn’t normally have a chance experience. We did our first camping trip in the Summer of 2017 where we took 30 of our youth to Wisconsin for a weekend of fun. This year, we’re looking to take 60 youth. It’s an amazing experience for inner city kids to spend a few nights out in the wilderness and enjoy things as simple as star gazing and kayaking. We’re looking forward to the next few years and hope to continue to reach new heights! The future is bright for us, and it will BE GREAT!!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a challenge when I came in as CEO, there was a lot of doubt in me replacing a person that served this Club for 42 years. They were big shoes to fill and I had people tell me that the Club would fall apart after a few years under my leadership. All I could do is my best, and I knew that with the support of my community, we would succeed.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our Club has been a staple in our community for 68 years, and during that time, has served thousands of local youth. My role is to make sure our doors stay open and the necessary funds are raised to make sure that our services and programs will always be there for our youth.
I’m currently most proud of our Teen Center and upcoming food program that will serve over 30,000 meals a year.
What sets me aside from others is that I’m always willing to help out anyone in need. I’m very active on our social media and make sure that everyone knows whats going on at the Club.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
We live in a great city with a lot of potentials. Our youth need us after school and during the Summer when school is not in session. It’s our duty that we be there for them and make sure that have a safe place where they feel a sense of belonging.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5500 West 25th Street Cicero, IL 60804
- Website: www.boysclubofcicero.org
- Phone: (708)863-6211
- Email: emontiel@boysclubofcicero.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/boysclubofcicero
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