Program Details

Throughout her years at the Bartlett J. McCartin Boys & Girls Club, Mikeeya Gresham never knew what to expect — and that was exactly the point. Every day brought a new experience, a new challenge, and a new opportunity to grow.
Mikeeya first walked through the Club's doors right after COVID, just 14 years old and finding her footing in the teen room. What started as an after-school refuge quickly became her second home. In the years that followed, she blossomed far faster than anyone could have imagined.
Her journey from Club Kid to intern marked a turning point. Working alongside staff members Dawn and Temaris, Mikeeya discovered her love of service — passing out food and coats to those in need, organizing free clothing giveaways, and helping coordinate a wide range of events, from Halloween celebrations to Torch Club movie days. Field trips, water wars, water slides, Keystone Café, holiday celebrations, and Youth of the Year — she was present for all of it, pouring her outgoing and creative spirit into every moment.
Over five transformative years, Mikeeya didn't just participate in the Club — she was shaped by it. She learned that mistakes are a part of growth as long as accountability follows. She developed patience, empathy, and above all, resilience — understanding that the hard things must come before the good can show.
Now, Mikeeya is preparing to take everything the Club gave her into the next chapter of her life. She will soon be graduating and attending Roosevelt University, where she plans to pursue her passion for law through criminal justice coursework.
The Boys & Girls Club didn't just give Mikeeya a place to grow up — it gave her the foundation to change the world.