The Ayalas are a true Boys Girls Club family. Irela Ayala and her three children Fernando (15 years old), Stephanie (14 years old) and Elizabeth (11 years old) are very dedicated to the Club, its principles and its programs.
Little Village native, Irela joined the General Wood Club when she was 12 years old. Now she is the Gen. Wood Boys & Girls Club Administrative Assistant. “My mother was a single parent and at first she wasn’t confident about me coming to the Club. My friends who were members talked about the activities they were involved in and encouraged her to sign me up”.
When Irela was a Club member she participated in some of the same programs her children are enrolled in today like Keystone, swimming and the game room. One of her favorite programs was the Boxing program where she learned about self defense. “The Club was my escape. It was a place where I was able to meet knew friends and participate in different programs.”
The Ayala children have participated in every program the Club has offered from mentoring to SMART Girls to the soccer leagues. “I would recommend a parent to enroll their child or children in a Boys & Girls Club because they offer great programs, it’s a safe place, and most important it’s a positive place for kids! The Club was a great place for me when I was young and now it’s great for my children.”
The three Ayala siblings are an integral part of making the Club work too: assisting at the front desk, helping younger kids with homework and integrating new kids into the Club. They know most of the Club members very well and truly make the Club a home away from home for many of the members.
“I have been blessed,” said Irela, “because one of the benefits that the Club provided me with is having my children in a safe place after school. When I became a single parent, The Gen. Wood staff was there for me and my children. When I was a Club member, the staff encouraged me to always be a better person and to never give up. The staff always gave me the confidence to participate in programs that were new and to always stay in school.
“As Club members, my kids have learned many of the same lessons and positive things from the staff and programs that I know will help them in their lives. My children love the staff at General Wood and think of them as their second family.“
