In celebration of 80 years of Batman, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnered with DC to recognize the hard work of staff in Clubs across the country with the Youth Development Professional MVP Award. Kayla Caldwell, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township is one of five finalists across the country eligible for the award. Kayla is representing the Midwest region. Selected through a public vote, the winning staff member will receive $10,000 for their Club!
Like Batman, youth development professionals do the hard work of serving the community. They serve as mentors and program facilitators and build supportive relationships that foster a sense of belonging and purpose for young people in Clubs every day. The YDP MVP Award provides Clubs across the country the chance to nominate a Club professional who best exemplifies what it means to be committed to the Boys & Girls Club mission.
Kayla is a Huntley High School graduate and is currently enrolled in McHenry County College. In the fall she will be in her third year at Northern Illinois University where is she studying Elementary Education. Kayla hopes to become a second-grade teacher after graduation. She has been working at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township since January 2017. “Having this job has given me the experience and has confirmed my desire to become a teacher.”
Since the day Kayla Caldwell was hired, she has shown passion and interest in each individual that we serve. She took on specific tasks very well and showed her creativity through her work. Kayla takes the time to build positive relationships with children along with the families of our community as well as her colleagues. We can always count on Kayla to join special events voluntarily outside of her busy work schedule. This includes community service projects that take our Teens out to the community to give back and demonstrate leadership skills.
Kayla is always willing to go “extra mile” on different situations including checking to see if our members are having a good day, feel safe at Club, and expanding her talents in impacting our teens. She expresses compassion to many children through our programs. This includes Healthy Habits-Culinary, Smart Girls, DIY STEM, Power Hour, and Keystone Club.
Kayla always comes to work on time ready for what the day has in store. She uses her time before the members come to her to plan out a well-organized fun-filled day. She ensures to incorporate our core values: safety, supportive relationships, opportunities & expectations, recognition, and fun, to provide the Optimal High-Quality Club experience.
With that being said; Kayla is a person who is very trustworthy, creative, reliable, punctual and overall just a compassionate person who puts her heart, mind, and time into anything she does. She is one of our staff that we would nominate for YDP MVP because she gives over 100% effort in all challenges.
We need your vote today!!! Please head to BGCA.ORG/YDPAWARD, vote for
Kayla Caldwell and show your support!
*You can also vote once per day per email address for your vote to count!!!
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