Meet Robert, a standout teen in Yerington
Robert G., former troublemaker. That’s not the words of us, those are his own.
“I wasn’t the most well-behaved kid, to be honest. I definitely should have been better.”
When Robert, a 2024 Youth of the Year candidate, first started coming to the Club, he didn’t know what he was getting himself into. A kid who used to ride the bus home after school every day, Robert got signed up by his mom after she got a new job. No one was going to be home anymore, and it was time for Robert to head to a safe place while his parents worked.
On his first day at the Club, he realized not all of his friends weren’t there. It was a new setting for him and one that scared him at the start. He wanted attention, and he found it by acting out. It was an attempt to make new friends, but it had the opposite effect. Robert continued to struggle. When the fun of causing trouble started to wear off, he know it was time for a change.
“I started to realize the reason I didn’t have a lot of friends was because of the choices I made. Other kids didn’t want to be friends with someone like me.”
Robert started finding role models. He wanted friends he could look up to and that would keep him out of trouble. Those new friends encouraged him to put his comfort level ieven more and begin helping out at the Club as much as he could. Soon, he was earning Member of the Month honors, much to his surprise.
With a new attitude and goals, Robert moved over to the Teen Center when it was time. It was like walking into a whole new world for him. But, after settling in, he knew he was safe, belonged, and had the chance to start making a difference in his Club. Robert broke further out of his shell to make even more new friends and even started connecting with the staff. These connections led him to new opportunities at the Club, and the chance to become a leader.
“I joined Keystone Club in 2021 when Tommy and Caeley decided to start the program again. Recently, I ran for and was elected President. I’m very proud of myself, and I’m so thankful for all my fellow Keystone Club members.”
Through Robert’s incredible growth, he even earned himself a job at the Club helping in the kitchen for a few hours after school.
“Robert is a one-in-a-million kind of kid,” Caeley Irvine, his former teen director, said. “He grew from his mistakes, learned that it’s cool to care and all he wants to do is be helpful.”
Perhaps one of the most heartwarming things to see is how much Robert cares for his little sister Elva, who is also a Club member. He always comes to see her before his shift in the kitchen starts, and for years now it’s been hard to miss their duo costumes at the Club’s annual Halloween party. Robert is one of five kids. When he was growing up, he and his brother didn’t grow a strong connection and bond until he was older, which he appreciates tremendously. That impacted Robert more than he would know.
“When my little sister Elva was born, it changed my life. She is the only girl and I’m nine years older. Naturally I became protective of her and knew that I would be the best brother I could for her.”
Robert also values his mental health. He credits the Teen Center, his friends and the staff for being there for him when his personal life gets a little challenging. It’s a topic that hasn’t always been easy for Robert to talk about. Recently, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley has taken a head-on approach with programming aimed at helping members talk about their emotions, understand what they’re feeling and work through things in a healthy manner. This programming made Robert open up and accept that he wasn’t really doing that great. This was the first step to him opening up and getting some help so he could be in a good spot.
When Robert isn’t at the Club or working, he’s usually hanging out with friends, his family or practicing the clarinet. He’s such a talented musician that he was recently named to the Small School State Honor Band for a second year and played the National Anthem at this year’s Youth of the Year banquet.