January: Everyday Champion

Everyday Champion:

Rebecca Linehan
Unit Director, Lilly Boys and Girls Club

Rebecca was nominated as the first Everyday Champion award winner of 2011 by John Brandon, President of MCCOY. John has had numerous positive interactions with Rebecca through work with Boys & Girls Clubs, youth initiatives, and The Journey Fellowship. He commends Rebecca for her willingness to always help and lend a hand in any way possible, and for her dedicated service to youth and their positive development.

“Rebecca has really gone above and beyond by helping to provide resources and time for many of MCCOY’s youth initiatives. Recently, she invited our staff to conduct a focus group with some of the teens at the Lilly Boys & Girls Club on the teen violence that occurred during the 2010 Indiana Black Expo. Her openness to work together to accomplish positive outcomes for the youth in our community is one that should be recognized and valued,” said John.

Rebecca has always had a strong passion for helping youth and volunteering in her community. In fact, she began volunteering for the Boys & Girls Club in Bloomington while attending school at Indiana University. She was able to volunteer and work with the youth, as well as receive relevant experience supporting her school courses. While in school, Rebecca completed her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish as well as a Certificate in Non-profit Management. After graduating, Rebecca decided that she loved working with youth and helping them develop their character so much that she began working at the club full-time. Rebecca moved to the Lilly Boys & Girls Club in September of 2008 to become Unit Director there. She has been an employee with the Boys & Girls Club Organization for more than ten years now, and plans to continue her path there as Director of Federal Programs for Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis.

What is your profession?

As the Unit Director at the Lilly Boys & Girls Club, I wear many hats and have a variety of duties to ensure the success of the club. My main daily job duties include: ensuring the safety of our members, managing and developing staff, facilities management, resource development, marketing, outcome/evaluation assessments, and to interact and engage with the club’s family members.

How are you an Everyday Champion for Youth?

I’m passionate about working with youth to help create a brighter future for them. Working with youth is both challenging and rewarding at the same time and keeps me on my toes. I enjoy developing relationships with the young people in our club, and seeing day after day how incredible they are despite adversities they must overcome. Working with the families to connect them with resources in order to ensure a better family and home life is very important and valuable as well.

What impact do you hope to make on youth?

For many youth, I am one of the only safe adult figures they have to trust and confide in. I am with them from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the summer and from 3-7 p.m. during school, which in many instances is more than they see their families. As a positive role model for the youth attending Boys & Girls Club activities, I can help foster their growth through the very most important impressionable years. I can help support their growth through our education, career development, arts, healthy and lifestyle, and fitness and recreational programs.

What do you want to do next to support youth?

My role supporting youth in the future will change as my transition to the Director of Federal Programs takes place. I will have a significant impact on the youth of all of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis through my overseeing the AmeriCorps Program and attainment of federal funds to support program activities. I will also continue to be involved in The Journey Fellowship, which focuses on the renewal of youth workers.

Do you know an Everyday Champion? Nominate them here!