For the past seven years, Mireille has been an outstanding member at the Boys & Girls Club. Mireille credits the Club for giving her the confidence she needed to recognize herself as a natural born leader. At the Club, she ran the Smart Girls Program and helped middle school girls develop essential skills like building good relationships, self-esteem, and wellness. Seeing younger girls look up to her has inspired her to always try and lead by example. At school, Mireille was Varsity Basketball Captain and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. As a female athlete, Mireille uses the challenges many woman face of being undervalued as an opportunity to be a role model to younger girls. To do this, she encourages others to celebrate their differences and see how their skills can benefit their communities. She thanks the Club for the confidence she needed to become an inspiration to others.

Overcoming COVID with the Club

During the pandemic, Mireille was in her senior year of High School. Feeling isolated and missing her Club connections, Mireille decided to volunteer at our Portland Clubhouse. Our Clubs were operating as remote learning sites for the Public schools. Mireille supported our youngest members in their on-line learning. Her commitment to the Clubs and kids made her a natural choice for Youth of the Year. Mireille was nominated for the Portland Clubhouse Youth of the Year and went on to win the state recognition. Her hard work was also featured in the Portland Press Herald.

Mireille has taken advantage of every opportunity and experience Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine has to offer, while still fulfilling leadership roles at her school, on her basketball teams, and in her community. In August, Mireille will started her freshman year at Wheaton College as a Physical Therapy major and will play on their women’s basketball team.

“The club has been my go-to place each time life passes me an unexpected challenge. The club staff have helped me pivot and turn what I thought was a huge disappointment into an opportunity to see the bigger picture--- that life is more than just a game.”

There are over 40,000 kids like Mireille, who need a place to go after school. A place where they feel safe, can get help with homework, make a new friend or mentor, and learn the skills they need to have a great future just like Mireille’s.

When you give to BGCSM, you give great moments to members like Mireille that help set them on the path to great futures. Give your gift today and build great futures for tomorrow.