Daniel A. Cotter Club Member Krystal Lewis Named
Boys & Girls Clubs of America 2008 Illinois State Youth of the Year




Photo caption Left to Right: Bob Howard BGCC President & CEO; Krystal Lewis, BGCA IL State YOY; IL Senator Heather Steans, 7th district

On Wednesday, April 9, 2008, Krystal Lewis a member of the Daniel A. Cotter Boys & Girls Club of Chicago was named the Youth of the Year for the state of Illinois by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). In addition to winning this prestigious title, Lewis will also receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. She is among hundreds of Youth of the Year winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

Lewis comes from a single parent home and is one of four siblings. After her mother was diagnosed with Lupus, Lewis and her sisters quickly understood that they were going to have to stick together if they were going to have the things they needed to survive. Lewis worked odd jobs to help pay the utility bills and also found the time to help her youngest sister with her homework and school projects when needed. Even though Krystal did not grow up with an ideal life at home, she persevered and found the strength and the motivation to stay on the right track and finish school, and avoid harmful relationships.

The Lathrop Homes where Lewis has been a resident for 14 years is a Public Housing Development located on Chicago’s near-northwest side. Out of 925 apartments in the community, only 300 of those are occupied by residents. While the community continues to deteriorate from the gang activity, teen pregnancies and drug abuse, Lewis continues to work hard to stay dedicated and committed to improving the life she has been given.

During her nine years as a Club member, Lewis has participated in several programs like the girl’s volleyball team; College Bound, a college preparation program that explores education and career goals; Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. As a student and volunteer Lewis also participated in Power Hour a program that provides Club member’s age’s 6-14 homework help. Currently Lewis is a volunteer chef for the Cooking Club program for 10 and 11 year old club members.

Lewis’s volunteer efforts do not stop at the Cotter Club. In her free time Lewis volunteers as a tutor for a tutoring program offered by Church of Good News a small church in her neighborhood. Quarterly, Lewis participates in the City of Chicago, Clean and Green program. This program provides volunteers with city-loaned tools and supplies to sweep up litter in their neighborhood. She has also participated in marches against violence, community barbeques and get-togethers, hoping to restore some confidence in the residents of the Lathrop community.

Lewis is a senior at Prosser Career Academy where she is a member of the choir, the school cooking club and the prom committee. She is enrolled in several AP classes and currently has a 3.5 GPA. Lewis was accepted into seven colleges and universities but is still undecided on which one she will attend the fall.