Today we’d like to introduce you to Xaria Romero.
Hi Xaria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My friends always had somewhere to go after school, but I didn’t. Once I started hanging out more with my Samohi friends, they introduced me to an after-school program. I started as a teen member at 13 years old, attending the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica. My mom loved how warm and welcoming they were to me and helped with my homeless situation at the time. I grew to start going to Boys and Girls Clubs by myself, getting involved with a teen leadership program called L.I.T. It introduced me to my liking to volunteer to help out our staff members and our community. That moment I found my passion for one day becoming a teacher of some sort because kids younger than me always wanted to play or have me help them with homework.
I am now the Site Coordinator of one of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s club sites, Saint Anne Club. Being with the organization since 2013, from a member to a staff member has brought fulfillment even if I am not a teacher I feel like one.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was a challenge to show the leadership team that I was ready to take the next step of becoming a member added to the Admin/ Leadership team. Some knew me as a teen member, so it was difficult for them to separate my teen life from my adult life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I oversee staff and members that attend Saint Anne Boys and Girls Club. I make sure members have fun with the programs we run afterschool. Plan holiday event such as an Easter Party coming soon.
I am most proud of building a strong community with the school, church and the families. It has been a struggle to have a good relationship with these groups due to lack of communication. This sets me apart because I was able have these communities to work with Boys and Girls Club as a great partnership for the students that go to the school.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My upbringing with the organization will surprise my coworkers because I don’t share much. I mentioned earlier that I was homeless growing up. Through my middle school and high school it was hard go out with friends and do extra curricular activities. When Boys and Girls Club became an option to be with my friends and go to field trips, it was a relief to my mom for her not to worry about money and having a social life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smbgc.org/
