1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: 908-687-7976
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
Union Club/Corporate Office
Elizabeth Club
513-515 Richmond Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Phone: (908) 351-3344
Plainfield Clubs
145 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Queen City Academy Charter School
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 50 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 39 years. He is 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.
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 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.
Joseph DeMaio
Assistant to the CEO
Joseph DeMaio began his career at Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in 1990 as a part-time camp counselor. He now works closely with our CEO on special projects and events for the organization.
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.
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
Union Community Center Director
Gemma Samper has been a Director of our Bingo operations for over 20 years.
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.
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 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.
DeAndre M. Hollingsworth
Plainfield Club Director
DeAndre M. Hollingsworth’s career with Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County began in 2009 at the Elizabeth Club as the Computer Lab Instructor. During his time with the Club, he has served as a Site Supervisor, Office Manager, Teen Services Coordinator, and Keystone Advisor, and Associate Club Director. He is now Club Director in Plainfield, overseeing before & after-school programming, summer camp, and full day programs throughout the Plainfield Community.
Raekwon Culver
Plainfield Teen Services Coordinator
Raekwon Culver is a Kean University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Accounting. He has been working with youth for 4 years with Young Bosses
LLC, Lifestyle Creations Inc, and Bonnie Brae School. He now serves as the
Accounting. He has been working with youth for 4 years with Young Bosses
LLC, Lifestyle Creations Inc, and Bonnie Brae School. He now serves as the
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
Board Chair
Citigroup, Inc.
Brenda Williams - Butts
Chair Emeritus
WNYC
Sid Vaidya
Vice Chair Financial Services
Blue Foundry Bank
Anthony Osbourne
Vice Chair Resource Development
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.
Francis J. Purdue
Vice Chair Support Services
True & Associates
Ed Palmieri
Vice Chair Operations
Economic Planning Group
Geraldine Boone
Board Member
RE/MAX SELECT
Stephanie Branna
Board Member
The Branna Insurance Agency
Wendy Cama
Board Member
Crowe LLP
Susan Cannilla
Board Member
Cannilla Consulting
Lisa Gingeleski Esq.
Board Member
Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper
Lori Grier
Board Member
Verizon
Demond Hargrove
Board Member
Union County College
Frank Lawrence
Board Member
James R. Guerra,
Architects & Planners
Marcy Metz
Board Member
B.J. & M. Auto
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Scott Myers
Board Member
Altria
Rob Oliver
Board Member
Universal Technical Institute
Michelle Seideneck
Board Member
YouGiveGoods
Erica Stasio
Board Member
Northeastern University
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.