Did you grow up at a Club?
Are you looking for ways to re-engage?
Can your story inspire others?
Sign up for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Alumni Club to re-open the Club door in a brand new way.
Alumni Club Spotlight – OLGA FERNANDEZ
Why did you start attending the Boys & Girls Clubs Greater Scottsdale?
I began attending the Club around the age of six, initially at the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch and later at the Rose Lane Branch. At 14, I started working at Rose Lane and later, during college, I also worked at the Virginia G. Piper Branch.
What did you like most about the Club?
What I appreciated most about attending the Club was the second family it offered me. As a child of a single mother who worked full-time, my brother and I needed a safe place to go after school. The Club provided a welcoming environment where we could complete our homework and participate in extracurricular activities, allowing us to spend quality time at home with our mom.
What programs were you involved with?
I participated in SMART Girls, Torch Club, L.I.T., Keystone, and Youth of the Year, just to name a few. You name it, I was in it!
What have you been up to since graduating high school?
Since high school, I have pursued my education diligently. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and then became a teacher through Teach For America. While teaching, I completed my master’s degree in Bilingual Education. Following that, I obtained another master’s degree in Communication Disorders, and I am now working as a bilingual speech-language pathologist. In my personal life, I got married and have two daughters. I am hopeful to find a place like the Club for them when they are old enough to attend.
