Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Announces New and Expanded Youth-Development Partnerships and Honors Community Champions at Annual Gala

New Workforce Learning and Career Center, Baseball Program, Soccer Scholarship Winners and Youth of the Year Celebrated by Hundreds of Community Supporters

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., June 2, 2025 – Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle announced several innovative youth-development partnerships and honored community champions during its 2025 “Be Great” Annual Gala at the famed Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle.

The high-energy sold-out Gala on May 27, celebrating the Boys & Girls Club’s 96th year, was attended by community supporters, donors, elected officials from the City of New Rochelle and the region, and representatives of corporations as well as the City School District of New Rochelle. The Gala celebrated the Club’s record-setting 10,000 youths served during 2024 as well as achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. The Club has long been one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development. The Gala was preceded by a capacity crowd of golfers playing on Wykagyl’s iconic course. “A spectacular day was highlighted by exciting announcements regarding how Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and our supportive, generous community continually invest in, and care for, our youths’ futures,” said Boys & Girls Club CEO Becky Mazzanobile. “We are preparing youths, in an ever-changing and complex world, to be future leaders.”

A partnership with the Mariano Rivera Public Foundation was a signature announcement. The collaboration will support innovative career pathways for youths from under-resourced backgrounds, aiming to serve up to 800 or more young people over three years.

Funding from The Mariano Rivera Public Foundation has established the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center at the Boys & Girls Club’s Remington and Mascaro Clubhouses. The center will serve 800 participants ages 18 to 24 over three years. The comprehensive program will provide young adults with career exploration, resume development, assistance securing jobs and internships or acceptance in training programs and higher education.

“This exceptional program will provide hundreds of students with hope, inspiration and most importantly, the tools and concrete supports to secure jobs and build rewarding careers in a variety of areas,” Mazzanobile said. “We are honored by the Mariano Rivera Public Foundation’s trust in us to open new opportunities for young people in our community, and will closely guide participants step by step to prepare for futures filled with promise.”

Hallie Lorber, Executive Director of the Mariano Rivera Public Foundation, said, “At the Mariano Rivera Public Foundation, we believe in the power of education and mentorship to transform lives. Our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle allows us to deliver hands-on, life-changing programs that provide real skills, real support and real opportunity. From personal development and technical certifications to job placement and mentorship, we are committed to helping young people unlock their full potential and build successful futures. We’re proud of the impact we’ve made together so far and we’re just getting started.” The Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center will run three 12-week sessions per year. This year, the centers are offering three options: A Culinary Career Pathway Introduction; the Digital Printing Career Pathway Program, focusing on entrepreneurial skills and branding; and the New Rochelle Police Department Career Pathway Program, to attract future

New Rochelle police officers. The police component recently graduated its first participants and Boys & Girls Club is working with the New Rochelle Police Department to formulate a track to train police cadets.

Two more pathways would be added next year, potentially healthcare and emergency medical services as well as green “clean” energy. In 2027, the center would add two more, possibly finance and the consumer packaged goods business.

Elsewhere at the Gala, honors were bestowed on:

Community Champions:

• Woman of the Year – Rhiannon Navin, Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Public Library: Navin is a bestselling author, community advocate and dedicated civic leader. Since moving to New Rochelle in 2014, she has served on numerous boards and committees, championing youth empowerment and civic engagement. “The real honor is to give time and give back to this great community,” Navin said. “The theme with the Boys & Girls Club and the library is investment in the youth of New Rochelle, especially in the times that we’re in. That’s the most important thing,” she said.

• Man of the Year – Robert Gazzola, Police Commissioner, City of New Rochelle: A lifelong New Rochelle resident, Gazzola has served the city’s Police Department for nearly four decades. Appointed Commissioner in 2021, he has held numerous leadership roles and is recognized for his commitment to public safety, community engagement and law enforcement excellence. “I’m only here because of the men and women of the New Rochelle Police Department. They believe in engagement with our youth; that’s why we’re really here,” he said.

• Service to Youth Award – Rick Monzon, Executive Director, The Miracle League of Westchester and Managing Partner, Spar Technologies: Monzon, a longtime New Rochelle resident, has spent decades championing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities while supporting organizations that strengthen the community. Monzon deflected credit to the Boys & Girls Club, saying its team deserves the recognition. “You guys should be recognized,” he said. “What you guys do for our kids is amazing… you guys really deserve this.”

• Service to Youth Award – Justin Sherman, Major League Baseball Youth Ambassador and Founder, JustinTime Baseball: Sherman is a dedicated supporter of youth athletics and the mission of Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.

• Community Partner – Junior League of Pelham: The Junior League was honored for its dedication to volunteerism and community advocacy, including providing snacks for Club youths. “It does not get any better than walking in the Boys & Girls Club,” said President Amanda Star. “We’re so happy and honored to be a part of it.”

Youth of the Year: Sean Merlo, 16, was honored as 2025 Youth of the Year, generously sponsored by the Neil Clark and the Clark Family. A lifelong New Rochelle resident and a member of the Club’s Mascaro Clubhouse for 10 years, Merlo was recognized for his leadership, academic success, empathy, service, mentorship, character and healthy lifestyle choices. Merlo’s accomplishments include coaching the West End All Stars basketball team for two years and serving as assistant coach for three years; being active in Club programs such as Passport to Manhood and Youth of the Year; and balancing academics and athletics at Iona Prep. He received a $2,500 scholarship from Kohl’s and $1,000 from the Boys & Girls Club. Finalists included Alexa Arias, Kamya Jackson, Arianna Forte and Ignacio Valencia. “The Club has been a huge part of shaping me as I am today,” Merlo told the crowd, noting how the Club and being inspired to be a basketball coach helped him cope and improve with a family situation. “If it weren’t for that coaching opportunity, we wouldn’t have the family relationship we have today,” he added, crediting Club staff for their ongoing support. View a video of his award presentation at https://youtu.be/WZzHvSjThPI.

Scholarship Winners from the Westchester Soccer Club: Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle partnered with the Westchester Soccer Club (WSC) to provide four $20,000 scholarships to the new professional team’s Soccer Academy, offering Boys & Girls Club members ages 9 to 18 an incredible, unique opportunity to receive elite-level soccer training. The partnership also includes exclusive clinics, mentorship from pro players, internships, game tickets and funding to advance the Boys & Girls Club’s mission of empowering youth through athletic, academic and personal development. Scholarships were awarded to Giovanny Garcia, Giovanni Rivera, Joseph Jese Maceda Cangana and Angel Torres Magana, who competed with approximately 150 other youths during tryouts in March 2025.

Baseball Partnership with JUSTINTIME Baseball: This innovative collaboration includes scholarships for Club members ages 3 to 13; private lessons and coaching clinics; guaranteed Boys & Girls Club slots during baseball clinics, camps and pro-player camps/clinics that have hosted current and former New York Yankees and Mets such as Luke Weaver, Oswaldo Cabrera, Jose Trevino, Dwight “Doc” Gooden and Paul O’Neill, among others. JUSTINTIME Baseball, founded in 2020 by Justin Sherman, a Gala honoree, focuses on instilling life skills and resilience while shaping character and social skills through baseball in a supportive, enjoyable environment. “Thank you very much,” Sherman said. “It’s all about the kids. We’re looking forward to the partnership.”

The crowd was entertained by youth dancers from the Remington Clubhouse, Trinity Thomas, Rylee Ulmer, Christian Foster, Mikayla Williams, Santiago Yactayo and Zoe Bailey, all directed by Club staff member Michael Bond. Masters of Ceremony for the event were Dr. Corey W. Reynolds, Superintendent of the City School District of New Rochelle, and William Iannuzzi, Chief Program Officer for the Club. The event also included live and silent auctions, as well as “Giving Tree” opportunities to support scholarships, Summer Camp participation and snacks for members. Giving Tree donations at http://bit.ly/3Hul9AI are appreciated. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Key facts about the Club:

· 54% of alumni believe their Club experience “saved their lives.”

· 97% of the Club’s youth members expect to graduate high school.

· 97% of members try to help when seeing others in need.

· 76 cents of every dollar raised funds Club programs, earning a ”highly efficient” rating from Charity Watch.

· 92% of clubhouse members, 91% of the leadership team, 81% of the staff and 75% of Club sites at schools represent diverse ethnicities.

· The Club has more than 250 adult volunteers.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at bgcnr.org and donate at bgcnr.org/donate.