Logo
Find a Club
Donate Now
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • Our Mission & Story
    • Club Impact
    • Local Clubs
    • Child Safety
    • COVID-19
    • Annual Report
    • Leadership
    • Our Partners
    • Alumni Hall of Fame
    • Military Youth Centers
    • Clubs on Native Lands
  • Empowering Kids
    • Overview
    • Safe Places
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Advocacy
    • Mental Health
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Education
    • The Arts
    • Health & Wellness
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Character & Leadership
    • Teens & Young Adults
    • Initiatives
    • Youth of the Year
    • MyFuture
  • Get Involved
    • Overview
    • Ways to Give
    • Join Alumni & Friends
    • Advocate for Youth
    • Volunteer
    • Start a Club
    • Graduation
    • Summer
    • #InvestInKids
    • Become a Partner
    • Events
    • Disaster Relief
  • News & Stories
  • About Us
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Our Mission & Story
    • Club Impact
    • Local Clubs
    • Child Safety
    • COVID-19
    • Annual Report
    • Leadership
    • Our Partners
    • Alumni Hall of Fame
    • Military Youth Centers
    • Clubs on Native Lands
  • Empowering Kids
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Safe Places
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Advocacy
    • Mental Health
  • Programs
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Education
    • The Arts
    • Health & Wellness
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Character & Leadership
    • Teens & Young Adults
    • Initiatives
    • Youth of the Year
    • MyFuture
  • Get Involved
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Ways to Give
    • Join Alumni & Friends
    • Advocate for Youth
    • Volunteer
    • Start a Club
    • Graduation
    • Summer
    • #InvestInKids
    • Become a Partner
    • Events
    • Disaster Relief

    STAY INFORMED WITH NEWS & UPDATES

  • News & Stories
  • Youth Of The Year
    • About
      • The Program
      • Partner Info
      • Scholarships
      • Media Requests
      • Photo Gallery
      • Videos
    • National Youth of the Year
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • Finalists
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • Military Finalists
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • Legacy
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
    • Events
  • Home
  • Programs
  • Youth of the Year
  • 2021 Finalists
  • Jorge H.-P.

Jorge H.-P., 18

2021-22 Southeast Youth of the Year

Club/Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Length of Membership: 3 years
College: Columbia University
Career Interest: Elected Official
Defining Characteristics: Determined, Vocal

“When I first walked through the doors of the Club, I was welcomed by the open arms of those who would always accept and celebrate my unique qualities. Similar to how the Club has uplifted me, I hope to provide acceptance and opportunity for my peers, opening doors towards great futures and an even greater sense of pride in who we are.”

Every young person, like Jorge, deserves a safe, positive environment in which to learn and grow.

Learn More

Jorge has already begun his political career. It started at his Boys & Girls Club, where mentors encouraged him to go after his ambitions, including leading the Club’s Youth Council. “I hope to create equitable opportunities for my peers,” he says. “Youth Council grants me the tools to fight for minorities, like myself, under an inequitable education system.”

Emigrating from Cuba to Sarasota when he was 7 years old, Jorge struggled with self-confidence as he adapted to life in the United States. As he tried to assimilate to expected norms at school and navigate the challenges of being a non-native English speaker, opportunities often felt closed to him. Jorge is committed to changing inequities young people encounter, especially in school.

Using opportunities and skills gleaned from his Club experience, Jorge actively advocates on behalf of youth education to local businesses as well as county and state governments. He sits on the Florida Department of Education’s Student Voices Commission, representing the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Florida Alliance. Says Jorge, “I am determined to create a future where no student is forgotten.”

Southwest Youth of the Year Celebration

Video Thumbnail Image
Southwest Region Sponsors:

Find a Club Near You.

  • Sticky share gold

Connect With Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

STAY INFORMED WITH NEWS & UPDATES

About Us
  • Careers
  • Our Mission
  • Find a Club
  • Contact Us
  • Vendor Opportunities

Get Involved
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Programs
  • Ways to Give

Resources
  • Child Safety
  • Club Impact
  • Annual Report
  • Shop Our Store

Logo
  • FAQs
  • Donor Privacy
  • Privacy Policy

The Official Site of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

© Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All Rights Reserved.

BGCA is a 501(c)3 (nonprofit) organization and donations are tax deductible.

The URL GreatFutures.org is generously donated by Vision Link

Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors

We use cookies to enhance your experience. Learn More.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America uses cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Read about cookies in our privacy policy. By closing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device in accordance with our policy unless you have disabled them.

Agree