Who We Are

Mission

Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

Purpose

Provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Locations

Russell Triolo Clubhouse - Union Club

1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083

Phone: 908-687-2697

Elizabeth Club

513-515 Richmond Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

Phone: (908) 351-3344

Corporate Office

1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083

Phone: 908-687-7976

Plainfield Clubs

165 East Front Street (Rear) Plainfield, New Jersey 07060

Phone: (908) 822-8672

Staff

Caring, well-trained staff, are the foundation for all we do in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. There is a strong bond of love, trust and friendship that has been forged between the kids and the staff who guide them.

TRIOLO

Russell Triolo

Chief Executive Officer

Russell Triolo has 55 years executive level experience in the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement and is recognized throughout Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) movement as a visionary leader. Russ has been our Chief Executive Officer for the last 43 years. He was member of the National BGCA President’s Advisory Committee and was a prestigious member of the BGCA “GREAT FUTURES” National Commission that developed the worldwide direction of BGCA and it’s 4000+ local Clubs through 2025. In 2021 the Board of Directors re-named the Union Club the “Russell Triolo Clubhouse”.

Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips

Chief Operating Officer

Brian brings over 30 years of experience in multinational banking and financial services, with a strong background in risk assessment and internal controls. For more than 20 years, he held leadership roles at Citi, focusing on risk and internal controls within Treasury and various Finance functions.

A dedicated advocate for youth development, Brian has served on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Union County for over a decade, including four years as Board Chair. His expertise in risk and control practices has been instrumental in supporting the Club’s operation and mission. Passionate about providing meaningful developmental experiences for children, Brian is committed to ensuring the Club continues to positively impact the communities it serves.

Carlos Calisto

Chief Financial Officer

Carlos Calisto’s non-profit career spans over 35 years, the last 30 with Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Carlos started his Boys & Girls Club Career in 1996.

Yefim Shoykhet

Aquatics Director

Yefim Shoykhet has been involved with swimming for more than 40 years now and has successfully worked with a variety of age groups, developing swimmers from novice to Olympics. Yefim has coached over 15 National Junior & Senior qualifiers from the former USSR. Working for more than 30 years at Boys & Girls Club of Union County, overseeing the aquatic program swim lesson, stroke development camp, fitness swim for youth. Many of them compete in different level include NJ STATE record holder, Youth Olympic games, Youth World championship.
Lucero Cano 1

Lucero Cano

Assistant Aquatics Director

Lucero Cano has been a staff member at our Union Club for 23 years. Lucero has been an asset to our Aquatic programs and has been instrumental in the implementation of our swim lessons providing excellent instruction to our youth members and families in our community.
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Deja Bellinger

Youth Development Director - Plainfield Club

Deja Bellinger is the Youth Program Director for the Plainfield Club. She loves watching our youth grow & being a part of the Keystone community. Her favorite things to do are read poetry, bake cupcakes & write poems. Deja strives to be the best part of a child’s life which is the memories we create for them.
Gemma Samper

Gemma Samper

Union Community Center Director

Gemma Samper has been a Director of our Bingo operations for over 20 years.
Lita

Lita Thomas

Union County Area Director

Lita is responsible for administration of the Elizabeth Club. Before she became our Elizabeth Club Director, Lita was employed as the Director of the AmeriCorp program for the International Youth Organization.
Candace Barnes-2

Candace Barnes

Senior Director of Program Services

Candace Barnes has been a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 1998. Through the years, she has been an AmeriCorps volunteer and Youth Advisor for the Elizabeth Club. She is the Teen Services Director for the Elizabeth Club.
Lakeish-Oates

Lakeish Oates

Elizabeth Club
Associate Director

For many years, Lakeish Oates has been a major component of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Lakeish has worked in the Elizabeth Club for a number of years as the Club’s key person for community outreach and advisor of the Dynasty KeystoneLeadership Club. Working at the Club is Lakeish’s passion, not her profession. The organization aligns with her strong belief that it takes a village to raise a child, Lakeish has contributed to the development and upbringing of numerous young people in and around Union County.
James Hand

James Hand

Director of Educational Services

He assumes a strategic role in the overall development of educational programing and related activities, including character and leadership success.

He is a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Basketball and Life Coach, with over 20 years of working with underprivileged youth and adolescents. He believes in cultivating positive social relationships with the inclusion of health and wellness while promoting a holistic approach to childhood education; prioritizing the importance of play-based learning, building self-esteem and resilience, and assisting in the development of social and emotional intelligence. All within a safe space and enriching environment that cultivates growth.

His favorite quote is that from Maya Angelou’s “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”

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Patricia De Castro

Executive Assistant HR/Finance

Patricia’s journey with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County began in 2011, marking the start of a deeply meaningful chapter in her life. Starting out at the Union Club’s front desk as a receptionist to Office Manager and now Assistant to the CEO, she embraced her role with passion and dedication, pouring her heart into every interaction with club members and families who walked through the doors. She works closely with all departments, collaborating seamlessly to ensure the smooth operation of the club and the delivery of exceptional programs and services. Her ability to connect with colleagues across departments has made her an asset, fostering a sense of unity and teamwork that permeates every corner of the organization.

As the Assistant to the CEO, she plays a crucial role in the executive office by, handling correspondence, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, and serving as a key liaison between the CEO and various departments.

Samad

Samad Gordon

Union Club Director

Jakeline Barrientos

Jakeline Barrientos

Union Club Office Manager

Jakeline started her career as a Receptionist, where she developed strong organizational and customer service skills over two years. Now, as the Office Manager for the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, she manages administrative tasks, oversee office operations, and support the organization’s mission by ensuring everything runs smoothly. Her experience in reception has equipped her with a solid foundation for handling the diverse responsibilities in her current role.

Jakeline is a beacon of warmth and support, working to ensure that every member feels valued and welcomed. Her focus on membership retention reflects her genuine care for the community she serves, forging bonds that transcended mere transactions.

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LaCresha Roman

Union Club Teen Director

Board of Directors

The guidance and commitment of our Board of Directors is truly the lifeblood of our organization. Comprised of local business and civic leaders, these volunteers lend their substantial expertise, commitment and support in leading Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.

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Brenda Williams

Chair Emeritus

BW Consulting
Frank Purdue

Francis J. Purdue

Board Chair

World Insurance
Wendy Cama

Wendy Cama

Vice Chair Financial Services

Crowe LLP
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Ed Palmieri

Vice Chair Operations

Economic Planning Group
Sharanda Bennett

Sharanda Bennett

Vice Chair Resource Development

County of Essex

Susan Cannilla

Board Secretary

Cannilla Consulting

Antonio Dei Medici

Board Member

ConnectOne Bank
Demond T. Hargrove

Demond Hargrove

Board Member

Union College

Gene Jannotti

Board Member

Retired

Tenisha Malcolm-Wint

Board Member

TNM Consulting LLC.
Marcy Metz

Marcy Metz

Board Member

B.J. & M. Auto
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Scott Myers

Scott Myers

Board Member

Altria
Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE

Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE

Board Member

President, Overlook Medical Center
Joi Stanley

Joi Stanley

Board Member

Progressive Achievers
Erica-Stasio(2)

Erica Stasio

Board Member

Northeastern University
Karolina Dehnhard

Karolina Dehnhard

Board Member

Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader"
- John Quincy Adams

Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County appreciates everything our staff and volunteers have done, are doing, and will do to ensure that we continue to make a difference around our community and in the lives of young people.

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