Logo
Find a Club
Donate Now
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • Our Mission & Story
    • Club Impact
    • Local Clubs
    • Child Safety
    • COVID-19
    • Annual Report
    • Leadership
    • Our Partners
    • Alumni Hall of Fame
    • Military Youth Centers
    • Clubs on Native Lands
  • Empowering Kids
    • Overview
    • Safe Places
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Advocacy
    • Mental Health
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Education
    • The Arts
    • Health & Wellness
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Character & Leadership
    • Teens & Young Adults
    • Initiatives
    • Youth of the Year
    • MyFuture
  • Get Involved
    • Overview
    • Ways to Give
    • Join Alumni & Friends
    • Advocate for Youth
    • Volunteer
    • Start a Club
    • Graduation
    • Summer
    • #InvestInKids
    • Become a Partner
    • Events
    • Disaster Relief
  • News & Stories
  • About Us
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Our Mission & Story
    • Club Impact
    • Local Clubs
    • Child Safety
    • COVID-19
    • Annual Report
    • Leadership
    • Our Partners
    • Alumni Hall of Fame
    • Military Youth Centers
    • Clubs on Native Lands
  • Empowering Kids
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Safe Places
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Advocacy
    • Mental Health
  • Programs
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Education
    • The Arts
    • Health & Wellness
    • Workforce Readiness
    • Character & Leadership
    • Teens & Young Adults
    • Initiatives
    • Youth of the Year
    • MyFuture
  • Get Involved
    Site Navigation Demo Image Alternative Description
    • Overview
    • Ways to Give
    • Join Alumni & Friends
    • Advocate for Youth
    • Volunteer
    • Start a Club
    • Graduation
    • Summer
    • #InvestInKids
    • Become a Partner
    • Events
    • Disaster Relief

    STAY INFORMED WITH NEWS & UPDATES

  • News & Stories
  • Youth Of The Year
    • About
      • The Program
      • Partner Info
      • Scholarships
      • Media Requests
      • Photo Gallery
      • Videos
    • National Youth of the Year
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • Finalists
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • Military Finalists
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • Legacy
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
    • Events
  • Home
  • Programs
  • Youth of the Year
  • 2019 Finalists
  • Anaa J.

Anaa J.

2019-20 Midwest Youth of the Year

Club/Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities
College/University: Pomona College
Career Goal: Entrepreneur

“We all have dreams, but we usually do not know how to achieve them. We all have strengths within us that will lead us to those dreams in time. Everything begins with a dream.”

Every young person, like Anaa, deserves a safe, positive environment in which to learn and grow.

Learn More

Originally from Ethiopia, Anaa and his family came to the United States when he was small child. Initially, he had difficulty learning a new language and adjusting to a new culture. He also often got into trouble. One day, a police officer stopped him and his friends and gave them a one-day pass to the Boys & Girls Club. That pass changed Anaa’s life.

The Club helped guide Anaa during this developing period of his life and to overcome adversities. Club staff members regularly reminded him he could do anything he put his mind to, which Anaa soon came to know for himself through the Club’s character and leadership development programs.  

Anaa’s hope is for all youth to have positive role models like the mentors who helped him reach his full potential. That’s why he’s working on a framework for a mentorship program he calls “Bridge,” which will teach youth how to stand out from a crowd rather than force themselves into a puzzle they don’t fit.

Anaa is a freshman at Pomona College with plans to become an entrepreneur. In fact, he already co- founded Didomi, a company that sells reusable stainless-steel water bottles and donates a portion of its profits to organizations that work to eliminate plastic waste or alleviate the world water crisis.

Find a Club Near You.

  • Sticky share gold

Connect With Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

STAY INFORMED WITH NEWS & UPDATES

About Us
  • Careers
  • Our Mission
  • Find a Club
  • Contact Us
  • Vendor Opportunities

Get Involved
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Programs
  • Ways to Give

Resources
  • Child Safety
  • Club Impact
  • Annual Report
  • Shop Our Store

Logo
  • FAQs
  • Donor Privacy
  • Privacy Policy

The Official Site of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

© Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All Rights Reserved.

BGCA is a 501(c)3 (nonprofit) organization and donations are tax deductible.

The URL GreatFutures.org is generously donated by Vision Link

Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors

We use cookies to enhance your experience. Learn More.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America uses cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Read about cookies in our privacy policy. By closing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device in accordance with our policy unless you have disabled them.

Agree