Club Director of the Year: Fidel Martinez

One of the ways Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County stands out as an organization is our Clubhouse within the Juvenile Justice Campus. We are only 1 in 5 Boys & Girls Clubs in California that operates within a detention facility and serves incarcerated teens. With consistent mentoring and life-enriching programs we are able to come along side teens who have made bad choices in the past and steer them to a brighter, greater future.

Club Director, Fidel Martinez, has been with the JJC Club for 10 years. He had not worked with youth in the past so he was a little nervous to transition into this position but says, “I wasn’t nervous to work with incarcerated teens because I believe their actions don’t define them. They’re young adults who just need a little guidance.”

Earlier this year Fidel was voted Club Director of the Year for his excellence in mentoring, community relations, commitment to the organization, and his love for serving youth. We have seen a lot of success come from the JJC in the form of more high school graduates, better behavior, and hope for the future. When teens leave the JJC they are connected to a Boys & Girls Club on the outside to help them stay motivated in academics and keep them from participating in dangerous after-school activities. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grant assists with the execution of these programs.

“The important part of the OJJDP grant for me is the 1:1 time it requires with teens. It give me a chance to know them and gain their trust. Trust takes time. Having their trust doesn’t mean I’ll keep secrets for them like a friend. It’s a mutual understanding that I want what is best for them,” said Fidel.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) recently recognized Fidel and his use of the OJJDP grant. Because of the success stories they have heard, Fidel was invited to lead a workshop at the BCGA Pacific Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona last week. He shared best practices in mentoring teens and how to use the OJJDP grant efficiently. We are so proud of Fidel for representing our organization at this conference!

“Although we operate a little differently than the other Boys & Girls Clubs, our mission is the same. We’ll do whatever it takes to show teens their potential and guide them to a better future. If I can get them to take their second chances seriously, I’ve done my job,” said Fidel.