The following client account was provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley, a United Way partner program.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley (BGCKV) has played an important role in the life of Timmy Doyle, who was recently named Maine State Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Timmy joined the Club on his first day of kindergarten, shortly after the sudden loss of his father. His mother was working long hours to provide for the family and needed the additional support of the Club to care for her children. When Timmy came to the Club, he was experiencing grief, lacking the strong male role model that he yearned for, and having a hard time making friends as a result.

At the Club, Timmy found the safe, supportive, caring environment he was looking for to succeed. He has remained an active member of the Club through his high school years, finding “hope and promise for the future” within these walls. “It was my Club that gave me role models, a place to be myself, and define who I was.”

Timmy is now a high honor roll student with plans to attend college next year for mechanical engineering, a school board student representative, class vice president and a varsity soccer player. Additionally, he is employed as a mentor for the Club’s School Age program, acts as the treasurer of the Keystone Club, and has devoted over 500 hours to community service.

“The Club changed me from a boy who could have easily slipped through the cracks and made bad life decisions into someone who is proud to go back every day and return the favor to other children. Because of the Club, I know that I can do anything I want if I am willing to work hard for it.”

BGCKV serves over 1,600 members, ages 6 months to 17 years old. Through the support of United Way, the Club is able to further help the children and families in our community who need it the most by providing financial scholarships to subsidize the cost of programs. By offering this support, the children who may otherwise turn to antisocial or destructive behaviors are given the chance to reach their full potential and become productive, responsible members of society.

When you donate to United Way, this is a program that you are supporting.