New Boys & Girls Club president: 'It all goes back to the kids'

Mike Contreras still has photos of himself at 10 years old playing in the Dundee Township Park District's basketball program.

Having grown up on the east side of Carpentersville, he knows firsthand the importance of extracurriculars - and organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township - in relation to a student's success.

So when the club began seeking a new president and chief executive officer earlier this year, Contreras jumped at the chance to lead an organization that was changing lives in his hometown.

"When this opportunity became available, I thought it'd be something awesome to do and give back to the community," said Contreras, a Barrington High School graduate. "It all goes back to the kids. I want to give them hope and opportunities to grow and become something bigger and better."

Contreras started his new position Monday after being chosen by a search committee comprising seven club board members. He is succeeding Curt McReynolds, who stepped down from his post in May to take a new job in Arizona.

Since he was hired, Contreras said McReynolds has called him twice to check in and offer advice.

"That just goes to show what a big heart he has. I'm hoping to fill his shoes," Contreras said. "I'm going to take the key aspects he left behind and expand on that."

For the past five years, Contreras served as the liaison between the Boys & Girls Club board and the Dundee Township Park District, where he worked as a division manager. He has been on various club committees and helped facilitate an agreement to allow the organization's Teen Center to use the park district's Rakow Center, said park district Director Tom Mammoser, who was also on the search committee.

Contreras, a Crystal Lake resident, previously worked at the Geneva Park District after graduating from Western Illinois University with a degree in recreation administration.

"Mike's passion for the mission of the Boys & Girls Club, as well as his desire to give the children of his community all the opportunities possible to succeed, were key elements to the committee's decision," Mammoser said.

After settling into the new position, Contreras wants to immediately begin meeting people and forming relationships with students, parents, potential donors, business owners and other community members. Being Hispanic gives him a leg up when it comes to making connections and communicating with some club members' families, he added.

The biggest challenge of running a Boys & Girls Club, he said, is ensuring the organization has enough funding through donors, sponsors and community partnerships.

"Kids in our program excel more than kids who aren't. I want to make sure these other community members know we need to give back to our youth," Contreras said. "My goal is to take care of home ... and provide a better community."