1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: 908-687-2697
Who We Are
Mission
Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Purpose
Provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Locations
Russell Triolo Clubhouse - Union Club
Elizabeth Club
513-515 Richmond Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Phone: (908) 351-3344
Corporate Office
1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: 908-687-7976
Plainfield Clubs
145 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Phone: (908) 822-8672
Staff
Caring, well-trained staff, are the foundation for all we do in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. There is a strong bond of love, trust and friendship that has been forged between the kids and the staff who guide them.
Russell Triolo
Chief Executive Officer
Russell Triolo has 52 years executive level experience in the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement and is recognized throughout Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) movement as a visionary leader. Russ has been our Chief Executive Officer for the last 43 years. He was member of the National BGCA President’s Advisory Committee and was a prestigious member of the BGCA “GREAT FUTURES” National Commission that developed the worldwide direction of BGCA and it’s 4000+ local Clubs through 2025. In 2021 the Board of Directors re-named the Union Club the “Russell Triolo Clubhouse”.
Brian Phillips
Chief Operating Officer
Brian brings over 30 years of experience in multinational banking and financial services, with a strong background in risk assessment and internal controls. For more than 20 years, he held leadership roles at Citi, focusing on risk and internal controls within Treasury and various Finance functions.
A dedicated advocate for youth development, Brian has served on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Union County for over a decade, including four years as Board Chair. His expertise in risk and control practices has been instrumental in supporting the Club’s operation and mission. Passionate about providing meaningful developmental experiences for children, Brian is committed to ensuring the Club continues to positively impact the communities it serves.
Carlos Calisto
Chief Financial Officer
Carlos Calisto’s non-profit career spans over 25 years, the last 20 with Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Carlos started his Boys & Girls Club Career in 1996.
Joseph DeMaio
Union Club Director
Joseph DeMaio began his career at Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in 1990 when he became a camp counselor for our Camp Mohawk/Little Bear Day Camp Program. He now is the Associate Club Director at our Union Club and is responsible for overseeing the Union Club’s programs where he leads the assessment, planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation of programs not only for the Union Club, but for all our Clubs, which offer programs that will result in a successful major recruitment and retention
strategy. Joe guides the inclusion of the youth development strategy in all program activities and includes this strategy within all trainings for our staff. He also assists within the Fund Development Department where he is responsible for the reporting on Federal Grants as well as directing staff within other departments within the organization.
strategy. Joe guides the inclusion of the youth development strategy in all program activities and includes this strategy within all trainings for our staff. He also assists within the Fund Development Department where he is responsible for the reporting on Federal Grants as well as directing staff within other departments within the organization.
Yefim Shoykhet
Aquatics Director
Yefim Shoykhet has been involved with swimming for more than 40 years now and has successfully worked with a variety of age groups, developing swimmers from novice to Olympics. Yefim has coached over 15 National Junior & Senior qualifiers from the former USSR. Working for more than 30 years at Boys & Girls Club of Union County, overseeing the aquatic program swim lesson, stroke development camp, fitness swim for youth. Many of them compete in different level include NJ STATE record holder Youth Olympic games, Youth World championship. Many swimmers participate an graduate top university Ivy league university to achieve high level of life career through participation of aquatic program for many years.
Lucero Cano
Assistant Aquatics Director
Lucero Cano has been a staff member at our Union Club for 23 years. Lucero has been an asset to our Aquatic programs and has been instrumental in the implementation of our swim lessons providing excellent instruction to our youth members and families in our community.
Gemma Samper
Union Community Center Director
Gemma Samper has been a Director of our Bingo operations for over 20 years.
Lita Thomas
Elizabeth Club Director
Lita is responsible for administration of the Elizabeth Club. Before she became our Elizabeth Club Director, Lita was employed as the Director of the AmeriCorp program for the International Youth Organization.
Candace Barnes
Elizabeth Club Education & Teen Services
Candace Barnes has been a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 1998. Through the years, she has been an AmeriCorps volunteer and Youth Advisor for the Elizabeth Club. She is the Teen Services Director for the Elizabeth Club.
Lakeish Oates
Elizabeth Club
Youth Development Staff
For many years, Lakeish Oates has been a major component of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Lakeish has worked in the Elizabeth Club for a number of years as the Club’s key person for community outreach and advisor of the Dynasty KeystoneLeadership Club. Working at the Club is Lakeish’s passion, not her profession. The organization aligns with her strong belief that it takes a village to raise a child, Lakeish has contributed to the development and upbringing of numerous young people in and around Union County.
Craig Davila
Plainfield Club Director
James Hand
Director of Educational Services
He assumes a strategic role in the overall development of educational programing and related activities, including character and leadership success.
He is a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Basketball and Life Coach, with over 20 years of working with underprivileged youth and adolescents. He believes in cultivating positive social relationships with the inclusion of health and wellness while promoting a holistic approach to childhood education; prioritizing the importance of play-based learning, building self-esteem and resilience, and assisting in the development of social and emotional intelligence. All within a safe space and enriching environment that cultivates growth.
His favorite quote is that from Maya Angelou’s “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
Patricia De Castro
Executive Assistant HR/Finance
Patricia’s journey with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County began in 2011, marking the start of a deeply meaningful chapter in her life. Starting out at the Union Club’s front desk as a receptionist to Office Manager and now Assistant to the CEO, she embraced her role with passion and dedication, pouring her heart into every interaction with club members and families who walked through the doors. She works closely with all departments, collaborating seamlessly to ensure the smooth operation of the club and the delivery of exceptional programs and services. Her ability to connect with colleagues across departments has made her an asset, fostering a sense of unity and teamwork that permeates every corner of the organization.
As the Assistant to the CEO, she plays a crucial role in the executive office by, handling correspondence, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, and serving as a key liaison between the CEO and various departments.
Samad Gordon
Union Club Director
Jakeline Barrientos
Union Club Office Manager
Jakeline started her career as a Receptionist, where she developed strong organizational and customer service skills over two years. Now, as the Office Manager for the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, she manages administrative tasks, oversee office operations, and support the organization’s mission by ensuring everything runs smoothly. Her experience in reception has equipped her with a solid foundation for handling the diverse responsibilities in her current role.
Jakeline is a beacon of warmth and support, working to ensure that every member feels valued and welcomed. Her focus on membership retention reflects her genuine care for the community she serves, forging bonds that transcended mere transactions.
LaCresha Roman
Union Club Teen Director
Board of Directors
The guidance and commitment of our Board of Directors is truly the lifeblood of our organization. Comprised of local business and civic leaders, these volunteers lend their substantial expertise, commitment and support in leading Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.
Brenda Williams
Chair Emeritus
WNYC
Francis J. Purdue
Board Chair
True & Associates
Wendy Cama
Vice Chair Financial Services
Crowe LLP
Ed Palmieri
Vice Chair Operations
Economic Planning Group
Sharanda Bennett
Vice Chair Resource Development
County of Essex
Christopher Bono
Board Member
Unity Bank
Susan Cannilla
Board Secretary
Cannilla Consulting
Antonio Dei Medici
Board Member
ConnectOne Bank
Demond Hargrove
Board Member
Union College
Gene Jannotti
Board Member
Retired
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint
Board Member
TNM Consulting LLC.
Marcy Metz
Board Member
B.J. & M. Auto
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Scott Myers
Board Member
Altria
Claudia Schiavone
Board Member
Northfield Bank
Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE
Board Member
President, Overlook Medical Center
Christine Callahan
Board Member
Center Court Club & Sports
Frank Lawrence
Board Member
James R. Guerra,
Architects & Planners
Joi Stanley
Board Member
Progressive Achievers
Erica Stasio
Board Member
Northeastern University
Karolina Dehnhard
Board Member
Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader"
- John Quincy Adams
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County appreciates everything our staff and volunteers have done, are doing, and will do to ensure that we continue to make a difference around our community and in the lives of young people.
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