Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo is a safe haven for kids ages 6 to 12 to learn and grow. Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. There are three clubs in Laredo: Roberto and Beatrice Benavides Club, the Lamar Bruni Vergara Club, and the Northwest Club. Every day, they impact the lives of children in our community and help shape them into well-rounded young adults.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo provide a variety of recreational and education activities that help to foster children’s growth in their academics and creativity. They are able to play in the game room, use the arts and crafts area, have access to tutoring and a library, swimming, and much more. The Boys and Girls Club of Laredo help to bolster the educational and social development of youth while also helping to enrich their character.
Many years ago, one young Laredoan grew up enjoying all the activities at the Boys Club. She made many friends there and developed from a little girl playing gymnastics to a young lady beating the boys at pool. She learned to give back by volunteering as a youth leader at the Main boy’s club. Today, this young lady is our District Judge Beckie Palomo. She credits the Boys and Girls Club for making her a confident, well-rounded individual with a deep desire for public service.
Judge Beckie Palomo was elected to serve the 341st District Court for Webb County. She presides over heavy dockets of civil, family and criminal law cases. Judge Palomo is a strong advocate for youth programs. She conducts Courts in Schools program in an effort to educate students on the criminal justice system. She also implemented the Color of Justice program to help educate and encourage minority students to pursue a career in law. In 2016, Judge Palomo started her first Girl Power Conference to inspire young ladies to dream big.
Judge Palomo shared that she learned to overcome some of her own struggles while growing up there. She fondly remembers that since her family lived only five blocks away from the Main club, she and her two sister would walk over every day. Judge Palomo says the Boys and Girls Club inspired her to dream big. She recalled attending the after-school program and participating in the summer swimming program. She reminisces about being the champion swimmer (every year) for her age division. She remembers beating the boys at air hockey and pool.
Judge Palomo is an advocate for youth programs because she believes that when we invest in our youth, we invest in our community’s future. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo is great way to invest in our youth. When you give to United Way, you help to ensure that agencies like the Boys and Girls Clubs are able to help children in our community. For more information on how you can support the United Way of Laredo or any of their network of agencies, contact the United Way at uwlaredo@unitedwaylaredo.org or visit their website at www.unitedwaylaredo.org If you are in need of community resources and are not sure where to turn dial 2-1-1 for information on programs and services in available in our community.
