The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) hosted its annual Great Futures Luncheon on May 1 with an inspiring and powerful message: Great Leaders Start Here. A record-breaking $413,000 was raised to expand opportunities and broaden impact for Austin area youth.
Board Member and CBS Sports college football analyst Brian Jones served as emcee and joined former Texas Longhorn quarterback Vince Young for an on-stage conversation on qualities that shape lives on and off the field. Young shared personal stories about his journey at UT and beyond, while Jones connected those experiences to the potential and promise of young people across Austin.
Garret Heer, a former participant in the BCGAA Ladders for Leaders program, spoke about his experience of participating in the program, which is designed to help young people gain real-world work experience and build professional skills. Garret spoke about the value of the opportunity, the skills and confidence he gained, and the doors it opened for his future.
A powerful video introduced attendees to Navarro Boys & Girls Club teen H’Sanii B., the 2026 Youth of the Year Runner-Up. He shared how mentorship, encouragement, and support from BGCAA led him to the Youth of the Year experience and ultimately to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs and reflect on the impact of his journey.
H’Sanii said, “There are other kids in Austin right now… just like me. They don’t need everything to be perfect. They just need a place like the Club. I’m standing here because someone opened that door for me and didn’t let me walk away from it.”
CEO Zenae Campbell highlighted BGCAA’s 59 year partnership with the Austin community and emphasized how the organization is shaping not only local lives, but influencing outcomes across Texas and the nation by expanding opportunities for youth.
Campbell said, “This work, behind our blue door, is shaping futures. Leaders are developed. And it doesn’t start later. It starts the moment a young person begins to believe their voice matters and their future is worth investing in.”
As the afternoon came to a close, guests raised their paddles in a powerful show of generosity and belief in the BGCAA mission to invest in the next generation of leaders. Because of the support of partners, donors, and friends, more young people in the region will have access to safe spaces, caring mentors, and life-changing opportunities that help them discover their voice and develop their leadership potential.
For more information or to volunteer at Boys and Girls Clubs, go to bgcaustin.org.
