Sometimes finding what you are passionate about in life is easy, but some people need help. For Marcus Steele, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana did just that. They allowed him to find something he is passionate about while helping him grow as a person. Steele soon discovered that he cared for helping the youth in his community, leading him to be nominated for Youth of the Year, where he finished in the top six nationally.
Steele began going to the John Will Anderson Club in Gary when he was ten years old, and it helped him come out of his shell and grow into a more confident person.
“Boys & Girls Club brought me out of my shell,” Steele said. “I remember my first week there. I was welcomed by the staff and from there, I grew and started to become more outgoing. They helped me with anxiety and overthinking - I was a big overthinker. Overall, I became more confident in myself.”
Being at the Gary Club helped Steele find something he was passionate about, working with the youth in his community.
“Working with youth became my passion,” explained Steele. “Before I didn’t have any plans to work with youth, I didn’t even bother. But over time working with them, and seeing how excited they are to see you and be with you, it’s great.”
This passion would not go unnoticed. Steele’s willingness to help others got him nominated for Youth of the Year, which is the highest award any club member can achieve throughout Boys & Girls Club of America. It starts at the local club level, then you compete against your organization, and if you win that, you move onto the state level. If you make it through state you move onto the regional level, and finally, if you make it past regionals, you compete at the national level. Steele was one of six club members across America to compete at the national level.
Steele was not named the national Youth of the Year, but him making it so far in such a prestigious award was a win for him and the community.
“Of course, I would have loved to win the national title, but it was never really about me,” said Steele. “It was more so about the kids that I knew were back at home cheering me on, the kids that need something like this in our community here in Gary. We don’t see everyday kids getting opportunities like this, and when they do it’s not talked about. Being able to give kids hope is what it’s all about for me.”
Steele has already seen a positive effect from his long run in the Youth of the Year award. Ball State University offered to help Steele pay for college because of the incredible character he displayed while competing for the award. Currently, Steele is attending Ball State online, with plans to go in person soon.
“Ball State was always my dream school,” explained Steele. “They sent me a letter congratulating me on winning state, and on top of that, they actually requested me to come to their school. They took care of my application fees and they helped pave the way for me to go there. They helped me get into the school I always wanted to go to.”
For more information on Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, visit https://www.bgcgreaternwi.org/.
