Contributed Photo
Zach Bellavance with kids from the Boys & Girls Club in Seymour.
Zach Bellavance, a Woodland High School senior from Beacon Falls, has been a staff member at the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Seymour Unit for three years.
Since he began with us as a volunteer, we have been in absolute awe of his maturity, passion for youth work and genuine connection with Club members of all ages.
Zach works with our youngest Club members, ages 5 – 7, and continues to go above and beyond in every capacity.
His patience and compassion for youth work is evident in every activity he plans, from art projects to gym games to special events. Everything Zach does, he does with his kids in mind.
Contributed Photo
He has dug into his own pocket on several occasions to make sure his kids are fed, clothed and happy, displaying an exceptional level of selflessness.
Zach is a role model in every sense of the word, both in and outside of the Club. Despite being in his senior year at Woodland High School, Zach has foregone playing after school sports this year to focus on spending time with his Club kids before he leaves for college in the fall.
The relationships he has forged with his Club kids is amazing, and he is one of the most beloved members of our staff.
This summer, Zach went from loved mentor to actual hero when one of our youngest members began choking during snack time. Zach did not hesitate, and used his training to perform the Heimlich, saving his life.
We are so incredibly proud of Zach, who does all of this while maintaining high honors in school. We cannot say enough about how proud to not only have Zach on our Boys & Girls Club team, but in our lives in general.
Submitted by Jesse Patrick of the Boys and Girls Club
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EDITOR’S NOTE: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
The news is always negative, you say.
“Where are the positive stories?” you ask.
Well, that’s why The Valley Indy teamed with the Valley Council for Health and Human Services to present “Valley Youth Making A Difference.”
We know we’re missing good stories about our young people every day. The fact is we need you to share those stories.
For more information, and to nominate a young person, click this link.
