Maria Beaulieu, 31
Child & Youth Program Teen Lead
Employer: Naval Submarine Base Kings Base MWR Child & Youth Teen Program
Lives in: Kingsland
Professional responsibilities: Create programming and monthly calendars for teen program for youth ages 13-18 still in high school. Coordinate field trips, workshops, events and provide scholarship opportunities, along with maintaining in ratio, driving bus.
Accomplishments/Honors: 2021 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Keystone Advisor of the Year; 2022 First Boys & Girls Club of America National Military Youth of the Year; 2022-23, helped develop Military Teen Ambassador Program for all branches of service in partnership with Clemson University & Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Community Involvement: Booster club at Lisa Allen Dance Works; Do various service projects with our Teen Program; Farm to Table food giveaway, Winn-Dixie grocery giveaway, volunteer local-based events.
Why did you go into your particular field? I went into youth development because of a teen director that became not only a mentor but like a father to me. Growing up in a single-parent home, my mom needed a place for us to go while she worked, so we went to the local Boys & Girls Club. At the club, I met Carl Porter, the teen director, and he opened the doors to so many opportunities and experiences. It allowed me to go to a safe place and be a kid. It was because of him that I went to college, was named the 2010 Southeast Region Youth of the Year and met President Barack Obama at the Oval Office, and learned so many life skills that would prepare me for real world. As I got older, I realized I wanted teens to have that same experience to have a fun, safe place, filled with opportunities, experiences and build life skills just like the other adults did for me when I was growing up.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child I wanted to be a nurse, or go into a field where I could help others
What was your first job? At 15, I worked in the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland summer program with summer camp and lunches.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Networking is key, along with keeping an open mind to be able to continue to grow as a youth development professional and allow our teen program to continue to grow. Building relationships with other youth development professionals allows me to be able to gain new ideas and learn more.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite part of the job is watching my teens grow, learn and realize just how amazing they are, getting to see them reach their goals, and walk the stage at high school, along with watching their confidence grow, and trying new things or trying things for the first time.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career?
How emotionally attached/invested you would be to these phenomenal young people. Graduation is always bittersweet super proud of all their accomplishments and sad that they will also be graduating from the teen program.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? I’ve been humbled and blessed to have a handful of people I can say I look up to. One person has truly changed my life since I first met her. Sharon Grant dedicated more than 30 years of work for Kings Bay Child & Youth Program and taught me so much, not just as a youth professional but as a person. Her heart of giving, dedication, hard work and the way she constantly stood up for what was right for the best interest of youth and her staff was inspiring. She constantly pushed me to use my voice and empowered me, and stood by me as I grew, and reached for different opportunities for our teen program. I can say without a doubt I would not be the youth professional I am without her support and constant encouragement. She is the perfect example of a person who has a servants heart and is willing to help you be the best version of yourself you can be.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I love to spend time with my family and friends. I love to travel and explore new places, and try new things.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? Something that most people don’t know about me is that i love doing art projects.
How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to one day be able to help more teen programs grow and thrive just like ours here in Camden/Kings Bay.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would love to have my own Boys & Girls Club Teen/PreTeen Program or nonprofit, where I could be supporting even more teens.