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Boys and Girls Clubs director is product of club system Mary Paramore
Acosta was guest speaker at the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce meeting March 17, and told members about how he grew up attending Boys and Girls Clubs in Minnesota and Price William County, Virginia. He said, “I went from the game room to the board room. It’s a proven model to keep kids off the street.” Acosta was fast to tackle some myths that surround the club. The first was that Boys and Girls Clubs are “for poor kids,” he said. “It’s for every kid. The hours from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. are the most critical in America. Parents work two and three jobs. Every kid without supervision from 3 until 7 is an at-risk kid.” The second myth is that Boys and Girls Clubs are “gym and swim. Not true,” Acosta said. He pointed to a partnership with Charles Schwab to teach money management and to the club’s leadership, character-building and obesity initiatives. With just a few weeks on the job, Acosta has been challenged by public relations issues. He tackled both head-on. Regarding what’s come to be known as “the Michael Phelps incident,” Acosta said the Maryland swimming sensation was raised in the club and has been a staunch supporter of its youth and programs. “The media has not been generous with him,” Acosta said about backlash from the posting online of a photo showing Phelps using a bong. “We look at this as an opportunity to teach kids a lesson. He’s human. We don’t just write somebody off when they make a mistake.” In fact, Phelps was at the Aberdeen club Thursday, March 19, and spoke to the youth about making proper decisions and accountability. Acosta said Phelps spent about three hours at the club, serving pizza and mingling with the kids. About Phelps’ presentation, Acosta said, “He was honest and sincere and he meant it from the bottom of his heart.” The second challenge came Feb. 11 when police were called to an altercation outside the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Clubs, involving people who are not members. Acosta has come to believe that there is room for improvement in the relationship between local youth and law enforcement. His plan? He wants to recruit local police officers and Sheriff’s deputies to operate Harford County’s Boys and Girls Clubs on Saturdays. “I have to give staff two days off. This would keep the kids off the streets and reconnect that relationship,” he said. “If I can get officers to come in and run the clubs, it will be strong community policing. These kids are kids one time. It’s one day that they can slip away and fall into a different track.” Acosta also has plans to extend hours on Friday nights from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. to target teens. “When we close at 8, they still have time to go hang at the mall or on the street. I want them to stay at the club until 11, and be tired, go home and go to sleep,” he said.
Acosta surprised more than a few members when he told them he didn’t want their money. At the beginning of his presentation, Acosta had said each child pays just $5 per year to be a member, with some paying only 25 cents per year “to ensure ownership.” “I have to earn the right to ask you for money,” Acosta said. He asked members to stop by a club, to see what’s happening and to ask how they can help, whether with time, resources or money. In addition to the Aberdeen club at 100 E. Bel Air Avenue, there are Boys & Girls Clubs at 425 W. MacPhail Road in Bel Air, 202 Cedar Drive in Edgewood and 351 Lewis Lane in Havre de Grace.
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If you’re looking for proof that neighborhood based after school clubs are effective in keeping at risk youth on the right track, look no further that Randy Acosta, the new executive director of 