At the recent Inspiring Future Local Leaders Mayoral Panel, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida hosted all three mayors from the beaches communities who inspired club members to dream big, believe in themselves and work hard toward their goals.
Ellen Glasser, mayor of Atlantic Beach; Elaine Brown, mayor of Neptune Beach; and Christine Hoffman, mayor of Jacksonville Beach shared how they came to their positions as mayor and fielded questions from the kids and teens who attend McKenzie’s Beaches Boys & Girls Club.
One curious club member surprised the mayors by asking how old a person must be to run for mayor. This sparked a lesson on civics and democracy as the mayors discussed the electoral system and the process for ascending to this leadership position.
“Our Inspiring Future Local Leaders event aligns perfectly with our daily mission at Boys & Girls Clubs: to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” said Paul Martinez, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. “We were honored to host these mayors at our McKenzie’s Beaches Club to encourage and inspire our next generation of leaders.”
Brown shared a story with the kids and teens about a young man she knew who grew up going to the Beaches Boys & Girls Club and now credits his success to being part of the club.
This event was made possible by Presenting Sponsor Legacy Trust Family Wealth Offices and also with support from Women of Pivot CPAs.
McKenzie’s Beaches Boys & Girls Club, located at 820 Seagate Ave. in Jacksonville Beach, provides local young people ages 6-18 with a safe place to go after school and during the summer to receive academic tutoring, enrichment programs, mentorship, meals and snacks, and so much more.
With more than 50 years serving the Jacksonville Community, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida was chartered on July 23, 1962. Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida has expanded to 38 clubs across Northeast Florida, serving nearly 3,000 club members every weekday in Duval, St. Johns and Alachua counties. For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, go to bgcnf.org.
