Ciante has been a member of the BGCGG since elementary school. Her mother was working many long days and needed a safe, secure place for her two daughters to go after school each day. She found the BGCGG to be the perfect place for her children. At first Ciante struggled and dreaded the idea of coming to the club because the thought of making new friends and being in new programs seemed overwhelming.

With the mentorship, guidance and kindness of the staff and club members she quickly learned many skills and talents that helped her through her teenage life. She became active in programs like Keystone and SMART girls that helped her move from a shy little girl into a confident teenager that will ask questions, start a conversation and advocate for herself and her friends. She has developed communication and leadership skills that have helped her to be successful in school, land her first job and volunteer in the community with the Teen Court program, serving food at the homeless shelter and helping at the BG Club.

Ciante said the club has played such a key role in her experiences and development as a teen. She credits the club with all her accomplishments and feels she could not have made it this far without the resources and support the Club has provided her.

Ciante says without the club’s help she could have gone down a bad path in her life and or lost her self-worth. Using the experiences and traits that the staff and club has taught her; she is now the best Ciante and is well equipped with many new skills to help her throughout any obstacles and success she may face in her life. Thanks to the Boys & Girls Club staff she hopes to motivate others and make our community a better place to learn, live, grow and allow everyone to succeed.