We would like to congratulate our 2024 Youth of the Year candidate, Ndayishimiye Rahabu!
Youth of the Year is an Annual Competition held on a national level to allow Club Youth to showcase their incredible drive and dedication, and to foster a new generation of leaders. Throughout the last few years, West Springfield Boys & Girls Club has had the honor of sending one of our incredible youth leaders to the National Youth of the Year competition. A Youth of the Year dinner will be held in West Springfield in May to recognize “YoY” candidates from eight different clubs across Western Mass. The Youth will have the opportunity to invite their families, be recognized for their accomplishments, and practice the speeches they will give at the national competition.
“Raha” is an Assistant Group Leader at the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club. She creates a positive and supportive environment to inspire children to embrace their unique identities. If chosen as National Youth of the Year, her goal is to be an advocate for those who feel unheard and use her platform to help people grow and find their voice.
Raha’s Club experience began as a work-based learner in the summer of 2022, before joining the WSBG Club staff as an Assistant Group Leader. She is currently a junior at West Springfield High School, and in 2023 was a National Honor Society Nominee. She plans to study pediatric dentistry, and cites her Club experience as one that has helped her “build confidence and communication skills” that she will take with her into the future. In her letter of recommendation, our Asst. Youth Program Director Mackenzie LaRochelle described her as “A great addition to our staff at Main Site. I have seen tremendous growth in Raha as she has had to overcome a lot of adversity outside of the workplace as well. She is kind and compassionate and we love having her on our staff.”
