Spring 2026
Your Clubs
You helped Malik find his voice From shy first grader to Youth of the Year, Malik is preparing for a bright future ahead Earl Ingram calls Malik Waweru “a Club legend.” You might think Ingram, the longtime director of Cleveland’s Saint Luke’s Boys & Girls Club, is describing a notable alum from decades past. Not so. Malik is an 18-year-old senior at John Hay Cleveland Early College High School who has been a Club member since the first grade. “Malik is one of the best leaders to ever come through our program,” Ingram says. “It has been an honor for me to watch him grow up over the years and become the man he is today.” Malik says joining the Club in 2014 was a turning point. “It was a huge transformation in my life,” he says. “I was just this quiet, shy young kid who really wouldn’t say anything if you came up to me. And even if you did come up to me and say something, I might just give one-word responses back.” Flash forward to today — Malik is a leader in his school and at his Club, confident in his abilities and optimistic about his future. Malik’s leadership also earned him the honor of being named Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio’s 2026 Youth of the Year, a recognition that includes a $7,000 scholarship from Cleveland Guardians Charities. The National Honor Society member is already taking classes at Cleveland State University for college credit and is scouting fall higher-learning possibilities, including Northwestern University, Rice University and The Ohio State University. His academic interests include political science, sociology and communications. “I’m not quite sure what I will pursue,” Malik says. “I do know I’ll give it my all.” You make success stories like Malik’s possible. Your support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio provides kids with safe, fun places to go after school with a focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, character and leadership, and life and workforce readiness. He says the support from the Club has been instrumental in his journey. “The staff here, we’ve grown to be a family,” Malik says. “They are role models for me, and we still talk when I need help. I’ve also made great friends, peers of mine. Honestly, they feel like more than friends, they feel like my siblings. I feel like this foundation we’ve built over the past decade, well, we can make it a lifetime.”
Aspire! raises $74,500 for Summit County Clubs Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio’s Aspire! event returned this spring, raising more than $74,500 for BGCNEO’s Summit County Clubs. Hosted by BGCNEO’s Summit County Regional Advisory Board, the April 10 event brought together 110 guests at House Three Thirty in Akron for an evening of connection, fun and impact. Playful LEGO-themed activities and décor brought a little Clubstyle creativity to the evening while highlighting the safe, supportive spaces our Clubs provide for kids each day. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Summit County’s young people. Special thanks to our Aspire! sponsors: The J.M. Smucker Co.; Mark & Carol Bachmann; Dave & Joanie Hastings; AjaxTocco Magnethermic; Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron; Lisa Aurilio & Dianne LaCerva; Akron Community Foundation; Scott & Linda Earhart; The Goldman Family; Doug & Myriam Haslinger; The Haws Falasco Miller Group; Rubber Division, ACS; Summit County Department of Job and Family Services; Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; and J&Ks Akron Medina Truck & Parts Inc.
Young artist thrives in Club atmosphere Good artists don’t always follow the rules. Kaizlee, 9, is an exception. The New London girl is an accomplished artist and one of the most helpful members of her Boys & Girls Club, according to Club Director Wanda McKenzie. Kaizlee lends a hand to staff and other Club members — without hesitation or drama. “I don’t think I’ve ever had to redirect her,” Wanda says. “She makes good choices.” Kaizlee says coming to the Club “makes me happy…it is kind of like a home because they feed us, let us play outside and do fun activities.” She especially enjoys art. “She just loves art projects and she’s really good at it,” Wanda says, adding that Kaizlee has also been named Club Member of the Month and participates in the Club’s garden project. Kaizlee says her math grades have improved thanks to the help she receives at the Club. Your support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio helps kids like Kaizlee thrive through arts, STEM, academic support, caring mentors and safe after-school programs — all at no cost to families. “I love coming here,” Kaizlee says. “All the staff members do fun things with the kids. I have actually made a bunch of friends here, and all of them are nice.” Kaizlee says one word sums up how she feels when she walks into the Club each day: “Happy.”
Race for Kids Details Early-bird pricing through May 29 5K Run: $25 1-Mile Walk: $22 Spectator: $10 Register: Visit bgcneo.org or scan the QR code. Sponsorships: Contact Ari Milgrom at amilgrom@bgcneo.org.
Join us on June 20 for Race for Kids
Volunteer: Contact volunteer@bgcneo.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio’s Race for Kids, presented by Bridgestone/CFNA, returns Saturday, June 20, to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This family-friendly event includes a 5K run, 1-mile walk, kids activities and all-day zoo admission. All registered runners and walkers will also receive an official race T-shirt.
Thank you to our current sponsors: Bridgestone/CFNA, Swagelok, Heinen’s, Charles Schwab, Mark & Carol Bachmann, Sherwin Williams, Redstone Equity, Ganley Auto Group, Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland State University, Cohen & Co., Regency Construction, WesBanco Bank Inc. and USI Insurance.
Early-bird pricing is available through May 29, making now the perfect time to sign up. Whether you run, walk, volunteer or cheer from the sidelines, Race for Kids is a fun way to support the more than 1,200 young people who count on Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio each day for safe spaces, caring mentors and life-changing opportunities. To register, visit bgcneo.org or scan the code on this page. See the sidebar for pricing, sponsorship information and volunteer opportunities.
Highlights
Celebrating teen leadership: Six outstanding Club teens were recognized at this year’s Youth of the Year event at Progressive Field, including winner Malik Waweru, runner-up De’Lante Warner and finalists Jaiden Copley, Zariyah Coffee, Ly’Nyah Lewis, Shyanne Randell and Jason Richardson.
A month of hands-on fun: April was full of new experiences for our members, from rock climbing at Shaker Rocks and Earth Day gardening at the Club to visits from an airline pilot, Jungle Terry and his animals, the Great Lakes Science Center and more. Your generosity makes this possible.
Volunteers in action: We brought new and familiar faces together at a recent Volunteer Social to share stories, build relationships and connect around our mission. In 2025, 768 volunteers gave more than 3,300 hours, strengthening the impact we’re able to create for Club kids across Northeast Ohio.
Bigger than basketball: Through our ongoing partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland-Cliffs, Club teens explored career pathways in sports, marketing, design, merchandising and more. The day also included hands-on workshops, VR career games, a Cavs-led basketball clinic and a group presentation where youth shared what they learned.
4111 Pearl Avenue Lorain, Ohio 44055
Coming Up June 20: Race for Kids at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo June 29: Taco Bell Charity Golf Classic at Barrington Golf Club, Aurora Oct. 1: Bridge Board’s Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus Cleveland Dec. 4: Dare to Dream Gala at Michael Angelo‘s Winery, Richfield
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio 4111 Pearl Avenue Lorain, Ohio 44055 (216) 883-2106
bgcneo.org
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