Jordan Club Youth of the Year
Kattie Dwyer
When staff at the Jordan Club think of role models, they think of Kattie. She is often the first to volunteer to help her Club and community, is passionate about the environment and social justice, and understands the importance of setting goals, especially when it comes to her education.
At age 17, Kattie continues coming to the Jordan Club every day, as she has for the past nine years, and takes advantage of all the Club has to offer.
“Without the Club, today I would probably be out on the streets doing nothing with my life,” she explains.
Instead, Kattie has excelled within the walls of the Jordan Club. Green Team, a group dedicated to educating the Chelsea community on environmental initiatives, SAT Prep, College Club and Keystone Club, a leadership program for which Kattie serves as secretary, are just a few of the programs in which she participates. She also is a Junior Staff member who mentors the Club’s youngest members. Staff say it is not uncommon for younger members to sneak into the Teen Center to spend time with Kattie, because they look up to her.
The Club provides a sense of relief to Kattie’s parents, both of whom work full time and aren’t home after school; they know that Kattie and her younger sister Kristie are safe there every day.
Kattie's choice to stay active and positive has enabled her to help her fellow Club members. She organized a basketball tournament to raise funds for Keystone Club. She also organized Cultural Night, a Club event that educates members on the importance of diversity. It was an event she felt was important after her experience at Club Remix, a three-day Club program aimed at confronting issues such as race, gender and identity among teens.
“The one thing that stuck with me after Club Remix is that you should never judge or discriminate against a person that doesn’t look or act like you,” Kattie said.
One of Kattie’s favorite Club areas is the Arts program. In the future, Kattie plans to attend college and hopes to become a ceramics teacher.