Former Club kid becomes dedicated monthly giver to BGCC

Dr. Terricita Sass vividly remembers the warmth and sense of belonging she felt walking into Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC). Attending the Pedersen-McCormick Club as a 7-year-old, she may not have realized it then, but those formative years would leave a lasting impact.

"I don’t remember all the names, but I remember how I felt," Dr. Sass shared. "There was structure, but there was warmth. You were validated. You weren’t judged."

Now the Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff at Stockton University, Dr. Sass reflects on how the Club shaped her path, even though the realization came later in life. It wasn’t until her 20s, while in college that she understood the value of the people and resources dedicated to helping kids like her thrive. This realization fueled her passion for education and higher learning.

In 2022, while attending a conference in Chicago, she revisited her old Club. “Things were different, but the feeling was the same,” Dr. Sass recalled. “That’s when I knew I had to give back. This is my home Club, and it was a full-circle moment for me.”

Though Dr. Sass now lives in New Jersey, she’s committed to her roots. She became a BGCC Club Champion, a dedicated monthly giver, supporting the next generation of Club kids. “No one asked me for $10 million,” she said, “but I saw the resource needs. I knew I could do my part, and if everyone does, it all works.”

Dr. Sass’s commitment extends beyond BGCC. She also serves on the board of her local Boys & Girls Club in Atlantic City, driven by the knowledge that structured programs can touch the hearts and minds of children in profound ways.

For Dr. Sass, supporting BGCC is personal. “How do I help ensure the Club can continue to be here for kids like me?” she said. "I remember the life lessons — the encouragement to be your best self, the guidance on being a leader."

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sass and supporters like her whose monthly gifts ensure that our Clubs continue to thrive and shape future generations. Want to make an impact like Dr. Sass? Become a BGCC Club Champion today by visiting bgcc.org/clubchampion.

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