Denzel Washington
BE INSPIRED

Growing up in Mount Vernon, N.Y., Denzel Washington had parents who were both busy with full-time jobs. After school and most weekends, he needed a place to go. Fortunately, there was a Boys & Girls Club near by. In fact, Denzel recalls, he couldn’t wait to be old enough to join.

At the Club, Denzel found support, friendship and encouragement. Field trips opened his eyes to a wider world. The Club also motivated him to strive for a college education.

The two-time Academy Award winner credits the Club – and the staff there – for inspiring him to believe that he could achieve anything he set his mind to. “The Club is where I looked for hope, purpose and direction,” Washington says. “That’s where I learned to dream – and to think big.”

Club: Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
Occupation: Actor
Member Since: 1962

Jackie Joyner-Kersee
BE GOLD

Jackie Joyner-Kersee grew up in East St. Louis, Ill. It was a tough neighborhood, and she could have taken the wrong path in life. Luckily, Jackie had a Boys & Girls Club to keep her focused on her dreams and her potential.

The six-time Olympian track and field star, often regarded as the world’s greatest all-around female athlete, is also a champion of youth.

Jackie continues to be deeply involved with Boys & Girls Clubs. In 1999, she opened one in her hometown so that other kids could benefit from the same Club experiences she enjoyed growing up.

Club Location: East St. Louis, Ill.
Occupation: Professional Athlete
Member Since: 1971

Martin Sheen
BE PASSIONATE

Martin Sheen grew up in the South Park district of Dayton, Ohio. The son of immigrant parents from Ireland and Spain, he was one of 10 children – which could sometimes make it tough to get an adult’s attention.

But Sheen had something else: he also belonged to a local Boys & Girls Club. Martin and his six brothers spent almost every waking moment there. They also found a mentor in Club director Whitey Gates, who had a tremendous impact on their lives.

To this day, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor credits the caring Club staff with providing mentorship and guidance when he needed it most.

Club Location: Dayton, Ohio
Occupation: Actor and Activist
Member Since: 1946

Shaquille O’Neal
BE AN MVP

For Shaquille O’Neal, the Boys & Girls Club was a safe, supportive place to play basketball in his hometown of Newark, N.J. Encouraged by the staff, he became interested in Club programs and activities, especially those involving technology.

In 1998, Shaq pledged $1 million to Boys & Girl Clubs of America to help build technology centers in Clubs. He also collaborated with BGCA and Microsoft to create an online safety program for kids.

During the last decade, Shaq’s legacy has grown to include some 2,000 tech centers in Clubs and many thousands of tech-savvy young people. Shaq continues to support Boys & Girls Clubs, never forgetting how critical it is to give kids hope and opportunity.

Club Location: Newark, N.J.
Occupation: Professional Athlete
Member Since: 1982

General Wesley Clark
BE BRAVE

Wesley Clark grew up in Little Rock, Ark., in the 1950s. Then, as now, it was easy to get in trouble if you didn’t have the right place to go. So he went to the Boys & Girls Club.

While there, Wes found two mentors who would have a profound impact on his life. One was the Club director. The other was the swim coach. They had completely different styles, but were equally effective motivating kids. Wes met the challenges both men set.

Later, Wes attended West Point, graduating first in his class. He earned a Rhodes scholarship and an Oxford degree. In the Army, he rose to four-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He still attributes much of his success to life lessons learned at the Club.

Club Location: Little Rock, Ark.
Occupation: General, U.S. Army (retired)
Member Since: 1959

Kerry Washington
BE A DREAMER

Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club has a reputation for giving a boost to achievers in the performing arts. One shining example: actress Kerry Washington.

Kerry was a regular at the Club, where she immersed herself in the dance program. From that supportive atmosphere, she moved on to New York's prestigious Spence School, and then to the theatre program at George Washington University.

At GWU, she also found a perfect outlet for her passion for community service. Working with the local theater community, she helped form "Shades of the Fine Arts," a support system for people of color in the arts.

Washington has won widespread praise for her performance as Della Ray Robinson in Ray. Her other films include Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Fantastic Four and Spike Lee's She Hate Me.

Club Location: Bronx, New York
Occupation: Actor

Cuba Gooding Jr.
BE STRONG

Unlike many kids who come to Boys & Girls Clubs, Cuba Gooding Jr. was born into privilege. When he was a kid, his father's band had a hit song that went all the way to No. 2.

Then, while Cuba was in fifth grade, his parents divorced. Cuba, his mother and brother drifted from place to place, living in hotel rooms, cars and a series of apartments. Still, there was one place he was always welcome: the Boys & Girls Club.

By high school, Cuba and his friends had become skilled break dancers. The Club gave them a safe haven to practice, far from the streets, gangs, and the daily struggle of getting by. Club staff helped them believe in themselves, set priorities and grow.

Cuba went on to dance during the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics. Acting success followed, including Boyz n the Hood, A Few Good Men and an Academy Award for Jerry Maguire.

Club Location: Tustin, California
Occupation: Actor

Ruben Studdard
BE A STAR

Ruben Studdard is a Grammy-nominated pop, R&B and gospel singer who captured global attention as winner of the second season of American Idol. He's also someone with a deep affinity for community – an affinity influenced by time spent at the Boys & Girls Club. "I had some of the best times of my life there," he recalls.

Today, he's deeply involved in helping children develop both artistic and social skills. In 2003, he founded the Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children in the Music Arts. He's also a regular speaker at Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. "It has special meaning for me," he says. "I'm a product of the Clubs."

Club Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Occupation: Singer

Courtney B. Vance
BE FOCUSED

Detroit has seen turbulent times, but some of the worst happened during Courtney Vance's childhood. "The Detroit riots went right by my house," he recalls.

But his parents had high expectations for him, and they found the support they needed at the Boys & Girls Club.

With the guidance of counselor George Browne, Courtney won a scholarship to Detroit's most prestigious prep school. There, he stood out as a top-notch student, as well as captain of the school's football, basketball and track teams. Harvard came next, then Yale Drama School, and eventually, feature films, Broadway plays and two Tony awards.

Still, he says, "I would not be doing what I'm doing today if it wasn't for the Club."

Club Location: Highland Park, Michigan
Occupation: Actor