For Olivia, the dance floor at the True Value Boys & Girls Club was the first place she truly felt like herself—where she discovered confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. “
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago became my anchor,” Olivia said. “The Club helped me find what I desperately needed: structure, encouragement, and staff who saw potential in me before I saw it in myself.”
When Olivia first joined, she felt unsure and out of place. But over time—through dance, leadership programs, and stepping outside her comfort zone—she began to find her voice. She grew into a leader on her dance team and a quarterback on her flag football team, showing up for others with empathy and determination. Seven years later, her journey came full circle when she was named the 2026 Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Youth of the Year, and then the 2026 State of Illinois Youth of the Year—a reflection of how far she’s come and how she now lifts others along the way.
