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

1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083

Phone: 908-687-2697

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.

TRIOLO

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”.

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Sal Dovi

Chief Operating Officer

Sal Dovi has worked in the non profit sector for over 45 years at the executive level. He has served as Chief Operating Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County (BGCUC) since 1992.

Carlos Calisto

Comptroller

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.

Peggy

Peggy Woodward

Corporate Administrative Assistant

Peggy has been with the agency for 30 years. Her responsibilities include but not limited to: human resource administration, personal records administration, payroll, and financial systems management.
Joe DeMaio

Joseph DeMaio

Quality Improvement Impact Manager

Joseph DeMaio began his career at Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in 1990 as a part-time camp counselor. He now is responsible for leading the assessment, planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation of programs for Union County 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.  He also assists other departments within the organization, especially with designated special events fundraising.
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DeAndre M. Hollingsworth

Director of Fundraising and Community Resources

DeAndre M. Hollingsworth’s love for the Club began, as a child, in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County (NC). Many of his childhood memories are associated with the Club. His career with Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County began in 2009. Since then, he has held numerous positions within our organization, which includes being a Youth Development Professional, Club Director, and now a member of our Corporate Staff.

Yefim Shoykhet

Aquatics Director

Yefim Shoykhet 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.
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Lucero Cano

Assistant Aquatics Director

Lucero Cano has been a staff member at our Union Club for 17 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

Gemma Samper

Union Community Center Director

Gemma Samper has been a Director of our Bingo operations for over 20 years.
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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.
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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

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.
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Anandah Gomez

Plainfield Club Director

Anandah Gomez was a former member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County from 2013 until she graduated high school. Anandah has been involved with various roles in the Club including, an Intern in our Computer Labs, After-School Counselor, and Site Supervisor. Anandah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Leadership and Management from Rutgers University. Anandah also served as the Youth Development Coordinator at our Plainfield Club before becoming the Club Director.
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Kimberly Casey-Bailey

Plainfield Club
Youth Development Coordinator

Kimberly Casey-Bailey has vast experience in special education and working with youth. She holds an associates degree from Middlesex College and a bachelor’s degree from Kean University in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology. Kimberly’s career at the Boys & Girls Club of Union County began as an after-school program counselor. Recently, she was the lead case manager for prevention programs and now serves as a Youth Development Coordinator. She is also a published author of a children’s book.
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Patricia De Castro

Union Office Manager

Patricia has been with Boys & Girls Club of Union County since 2011. She worked at Union Club’s Front Desk for several years focusing primarily on membership retention and recruitment.

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Kabriya Oates

Union Club Director of Programs

Kabriya Oates has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County’s Elizabeth Club since 1997. From 2008 to 2009, Kabriya served as President of the Dynasty Keystone Club. Kabriya has taken part in a variety of Boys and Girls Club programs, including Keystone, Ladies First, Torch Club, Money Matters, and Career Launch. Kabriya earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Central Pennsylvania College. Kabriya is currently the Teen Director and Director of Programming.

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.

Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips

Board Chair

Citigroup, Inc.
Brenda Williams-Butts

Brenda Williams - Butts

Chair Emeritus

WNYC
sidvaidya

Sid Vaidya

Vice Chair Financial Services

Blue Foundry Bank
Anthony Osbourne

Anthony Osbourne

Vice Chair Resource Development

Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.

Frank Purdue

Francis J. Purdue

Vice Chair Support Services

True & Associates
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Ed Palmieri

Vice Chair Operations

Economic Planning Group
Geraldine Boone - Board Member

Geraldine Boone

Board Member

RE/MAX SELECT
Stephanie-Branna-2022

Stephanie Branna

Board Member

The Branna Insurance Agency
Wendy Cama

Wendy Cama

Board Member

Crowe LLP

Susan Cannilla

Board Member

Cannilla Consulting
Lisa Gingeleski

Lisa Gingeleski Esq.

Board Member

Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper

Lori Grier

Board Member

Verizon
Demond T. Hargrove

Demond Hargrove

Board Member

Union County College
Frank Lawrence

Frank Lawrence

Board Member

James R. Guerra,
Architects & Planners
Marcy Metz

Marcy Metz

Board Member

B.J. & M. Auto
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Scott Myers

Scott Myers

Board Member

Altria
Robert Oliver

Rob Oliver

Board Member

Universal Technical Institute
Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE

Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE

Board Member

President, Overlook Medical Center
Erica-Stasio(2)

Erica Stasio

Board Member

Northeastern University
Amir Youssef

Amir Youssef

Board Member

Buzz It Forward

"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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