Stories
The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club has been a safe haven for youth for over 120 years and the organization's history is rich in stories of youth in New York City's toughest neighborhoods overcoming adversity and thriving. Even more remarkable are the scores of alumni who have gone on to give back to the communities which nurtured them. Here are just a few of the current and past clubhouse members whose lives have been positively impacted by Madison.
Youth of the Year Profiles
Crystile Carter (New York State Youth of the Year, Columbus Clubhouse, and Madison Square Boys & Girls
Club 2012 Youth of the Year) Life hasn't been easy for Crystile, but that never discouraged her. Growing up in the foster care system, Crystile and her brother and sister moved from house to house frequently. She has stayed with 10 different families all over the city, but always found time to spend at the Clubhouse. "I don't just come to the Club for the different games and programs. I come because it has taught me how to be responsible, respectful, caring, and to take pride in myself. I honestly don't know what I would have done or accomplished in life without the Club. Yes the people change and the new faces come and go. But still, the Clubhouse will always be the little building on the corner that I call my real home."
Click here to see Crystile tell her story on FOX's "Good Day Street Talk." Crystile has been chosen as the New York State Youth of the Year, the Northeast Region Youth of the Year, and represented Madison at the National competition in September of 2012.
Read more about Crystile and our three other Youth of the Year Here.
Alumni Profiles
Carline Balan - Most people would say that Carline Balan has done it all, and at the young age of just twenty-six. She's the personal assistant to music mogul Jay-Z and the founder and CEO of a successful concierge company, Balan, Inc. Carline is also pursuing an acting career. But if you ask Carline, she will tell you that her biggest success and her most cherished moment was the day she was able to donate new curtains for the performing arts stage at the Flatbush Clubhouse.
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Staff Profiles
Steven Melton - "Growing up in Harlem and Queens in the 1960's could be rough," recalls Steven Melton, Associate Executive Director of Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Steve's mother, a single parent of four boys and three girls, first looked into the Boys Club of New York as a means to "keep these four rambunctious boys off the mean streets."
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