Success Story - Citrus Center Boys & Girls Club

 

 

The Citrus Center Boys & Girls Club in Haines City welcomed Joey Magna as an elementary student several years ago. His mother was a single parent working two jobs and she needed a safe place for her three boys to stay after school.

Early on, Joey struggled with shyness and anger issues. However, one individual who worked at the club was able to break through – Mrs. Sneed.

Over the next several months, Joey opened up to Mrs. Sneed and, in return, she invested in him and showed genuine care for his success.

In middle school, he gradually began to take on greater leadership roles and joined the basketball and football teams. He enjoyed mentoring younger club members and assisting with various activities under Mrs. Sneed’s guidance.

One day Joey asked her about possibly getting a job at the club. Why? In his words, he wanted to make life easier for his hard-working mother by helping support their family. At the age of 15, Joey was hired by Mrs. Sneed to help facilitate program activities.

The small pay he earned allowed him to buy his own school clothes and supplies throughout high school. And of course, Mrs. Sneed was in the audience to watch him graduate.

He is now serving in his first year with the US Navy. Though stationed in Jacksonville, he continues to help his mother and visit the club when he returns home to Haines City. At Christmas time Joey visited with club members and told them about how his experiences made it possible for him to become the man that he is today.