The start of a new year creates space for reflection and momentum. It’s a time when many of us reset our priorities, establish new routines, and recommit to the habits that shape long-term outcomes.
This year also marks my transition into the role of CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas. I’m grateful for the opportunity and clear-eyed about the responsibility that comes with it. Leadership, in this context, isn’t about position; it’s about stewardship of a mission that matters deeply to this community.
What has become immediately clear is that “new beginnings” are not a January concept at our Clubs; they happen every day.
For the nearly 800 young people who walk through our doors daily, each visit represents an opportunity to learn, to grow, to build confidence, and to access experiences that can meaningfully alter the trajectory of their lives. Our responsibility is to ensure those experiences translate into real, measurable outcomes.
As we move into this year, our focus is disciplined and deliberate across four priority areas:
- Academic Success — helping youth stay engaged, build confidence as learners, and see education as a pathway to opportunity.
- Career & Workforce Readiness — exposing young people to mentors, skills, and real-world experiences that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
- Healthy Lifestyles — providing safe, structured environments that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- Citizenship & Leadership — developing young leaders who understand their voice, their responsibility, and their impact on the community around them.
"The strength of Boys & Girls Clubs lies in its ability to offer access. Access to people, programs, and experiences that create momentum."
New programs. New relationships. New skills. New outcomes. That same sense of renewal many associate with the new year is embedded in our work year-round.
This impact is only possible because of a committed community. Our board, donors, volunteers, partners, and staff share a belief that every child deserves opportunity and the support to pursue it.
A Call to Action
As we begin this year, I invite you to take a step deeper. Schedule a Club tour, volunteer your time, or invest in a program that aligns with your passion. Your engagement directly shapes the experiences and outcomes of the young people we serve.
New year. New beginnings. And together, stronger outcomes for youth across Greater Dallas.
— Brian
