Alumni Spotlight: Aneva Jefferson

In light of National Boys & Girls Club Week late last month, we caught up with some Club alumni to hear their stories. One recent alum, Aneva Jefferson is busy persuing her passions and we could not be more proud.

BGCS is a safe place, where youth can explore their interests and set goals for the future. This was true for Aneva. Aneva just finished her first year at Vanderbilt University, where she is pursuing her master degree in Community Development and Action. Aneva also works as a nanny, preschool teacher, and a research assistant, conducting projects on diversity in STEM.

For Aneva, the Club provided a safe place to laugh, cry, learn and grow. One of her favorite things about being a Club member are the relationships she cultivated with other members and staff. “Those valuable relationships have carried me through the toughest times,” says Aneva.

She remembers participating in Pickle Fest every year at the Musgrave Unit. At this annual event, Club members crown lucky staff members as Pickle Fest King and Queen, eat pickles and ice cream, and play carnival games.

“My mom, who passed away almost eight years ago, would volunteer every year at Pickle Fest,” says Aneva. “Now these are cherished memories I have of me and my mom spending time at BGCS.”

Aneva says that through her participation in Boys & Girls Club, she fell in love with working with youth, learned the importance of giving back to her community, and gained important skills in communication. She says that the Youth of the Year program helped turn her dreams into reality.

“Not only did the personal and professional skill building allow for an easier transition into adulthood, but scholarships made it possible for me to study what I love through higher education."

Aneva hopes to someday work in early childhood policy research, or in a non-profit youth development organization.