Meet Ethaniel F., a Silver Springs Club member that is always himself
When Ethaniel F., a teen member at Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley’s Silver Springs clubhouse, thinks about what’s important to him, it’s pretty clear the people in his life matter the most.
Ethaniel met his best friends, or who he calls his “ride-or-die crew” growing up at the Club. Riley, Ayden and Michael are the peers he can trust the most, do anything with and always rely on.
“Whether it’s helping me with physical therapy, hyping me up when things feel impossible or making sure I never feel like I’m in this alone, they’ve got my back.
Ethaniel has been attending the Club for five years and has grown up in this home away from home. A current eighth grader and now officially 13 years old, the values and lessons the Club has taught him have been priceless. Over the years, he’s learned that it’s totally ok to be different. The Club is a place where members are encouraged to help each other and embrace their differences. He knows that everyone has their own mix of strengths and weaknesses, and that at the Club, a kid who is great at math but no so great at reading can partner up with someone who is the opposite, and they can support each other and help each other out. The Club’s staff also never ask him or any of the other members to be anything other than themselves.
For Ethaniel, it’s those same mentors he’s found at the Club that really stick with him.
“The staff allow us to have a free space to be ourselves and share our stories, which is why they are my favorite thing about coming to the Club. Whether I need advice, a pep talk or just a laugh when life and school are grinding me down, they are always there to help.”
The staff at the Club aren’t the only adults Ethaniel looks up to. His Great Grandad Davie holds a very, very special place in his heart. As the man who taught him how to work on and cars, Ethaniel’s Great Grandad unlocked a passion for him, one that as it turns out he’s fantastic at doing.
“Turns out being handy with a wrench runs in the family, and I’ve got my Great Grandad to thank for that. I’ve been working on cars since my diaper days! It probably wasn’t the safest idea to hand a baby a wrench, but no fingers were lost in the process so we’re all good!”
When he’s not at the Club, you can catch Ethaniel out on the baseball field, riding his dirt bike on a trail or hanging out with his friends.
Most recently, Ethaniel took the next big step in his Boys & Girls Club journey when he ran for Junior Youth of the Year. The judging committee was highly impressed as he represented his clubhouse well, even taking off his signature hat to deliver his speech.
“From the amazing people in my life to the valuable moments I’ve had at the Club, I feel more confident and ready to face whatever the future holds.”