14 Alumni News Fall 2008JOIN THE CLUBAlumnus Grows Up With the Boys & Girls Clubseople usually consider themselves pretty lucky when theyfind a career that they enjoy and feel passionate about.David Wehrmeister ‘75 is one of those lucky people. Hebecame a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo at Pth the age of 10, and he has spent his entire career workingwith the organization. You could say he truly believes in its mission.Getting InvolvedWehrmeister joined the Boys & Girls Club while attending St. Jameselementary school. “I was influenced by the role models, the staffmembers who were at the club,” he recalls. “I got engaged in some of theleadership activities and I grew immensely. My father died when I wasa sophomore at <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> and it was a blessing that the club wasthere in my life at that time.”Around that time, Wehrmeister began his career as a staff member whenhe took a position as a part-time membership attendant. He went onto work in various departmental instructor positions before servingas a program director, unit director, and director of operations for theorganization. Currently, Wehrmeister serves as the executive director ofthe Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo and is responsible for overseeing theprogramming, finances, and administration of the organization.At the Club“The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to enable all young people,especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential asproductive, responsible citizens,” says Wehrmeister. The organizationwas established in Toledo in 1892, with the first building constructed in1908 on Superior Street. Today, the organization serves more than 5,500members and sees over 425 kids a day at its four sites in East, South, andNorth Toledo and the Old West End.The Boys & Girls Clubs are available to any youngster between the ages ofseven and 18. They offer a wide range of programs and activities,including arts and crafts, athletics, swimming, homework help,game-room activities, technology, goal setting activities, leadership clubs,and a summer resident camp. After school and Saturday programs areavailable during the school year, and the clubs are open Monday throughFriday in the summer.The clubs offer a safe haven for kids with their strict rules aboutrespecting others and a “zero tolerance” policy toward gang behavior.Even though the members are from different neighborhoods and may beof different races, religions, and family backgrounds, all those things areleft at the door. The kids are there to come together and experience somepositive guidance, and to just have fun.Making a Career ChoiceWehrmeister says that attending <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> had a profoundeffect on his career choice. “At <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> you cannot help but beinfluenced by the excitement, spirit, and care for others that exists at theschool,” he explains. “I developed a sense of responsibility and witnesseda great team of people who were giving back to their community throughOne Faith. One Community. One Mission.helping others. My experience working at the Boys & Girls Clubs helpingkids, coupled with the influences of CCHS teachers such as Sr. Rita andMrs. Best, helped me focus on getting a degree in secondary education toteach English at the high school level.”Wehrmeister earned his Bachelor of Education degree from theUniversity of Toledo. After graduation, he did some substitute teachingon his days off from the Boys & Girls Clubs and found that histeaching experiences allowed him to have a greater impact on the kidsin the informal setting of the club. But he decided to stay at the club fulltime instead of pursuing a teaching position.“Working at the Boys & Girls Clubs has been a wonderful career choice,”Wehrmeister says. “It is different every day, as the problems and challengesof the kids that we serve are diverse and continue to change. To bea small part of the staff team that continues to improve the lives of ourcommunity’s kids makes the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo a very specialplace. The club helps change and save lives.”Changing LivesProof of those changed lives can be seen when past club members stop into visit and say thanks. Wehrmeister cites the example of a formermember who is now a major in the United States Army and has been aboard member for the organization. He also mentions Mieasha Hicks‘03 who was named the Boys & Girls Clubs National Youth of the Yearin 2003. In his office, Wehrmeister proudly displays a photograph takenwhen he and Mieasha met the President as she accepted her award.Mieasha has graduated from Bowling Green State University and iscurrently pursuing a master’s degree at Grand Valley State. She isapplying for medical school and hopes to become a pediatrician. Shewas the national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs for one yearand traveled the United States and around the world as a public speaker.She still visits the club in Toledo and speaks to members to show what animportant impact the club can have on their young lives.A Positive Place for KidsWehrmeister is excited about the new Boys & Girls Club opening in lateAugust at Sherman Elementary <strong>School</strong> in North Toledo. He would loveto get CCHS students to help after school as volunteers, perhaps in thehomework help program they call Power Hour.It’s obvious that Wehrmeister has the passion that makes his job morethan just a job. As he gives a tour of the club, many of the club membersand volunteers greet him, and he interacts with several groups of kidswho are involved in different activities. He knows first hand the positiveeffects that the club can have on kids, and he does his best to create thatpositive atmosphere on a daily basis.
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