Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces alumni spotlight

We have all heard the saying “it takes a village.” Even for those with the most supportive families and networks, having the Boys & Girls Club as part of their village network can truly make a lifelong impact.

Meet local Club alumna, Diana O’Brien. Diana began attending the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces at just six years old. With both parents in the workforce, Diana’s mom and dad searched for a place for her to spend her after-school and summer hours.

“Diana’s dad and I wanted a place where she would be safe, nurtured, and comfortable, a space she loved, where she could be with friends, and have fun,” said her mother, Ann Nieto.

Fortunately, Diana found that space at the Club. Diana recalls her time at the Club fondly.

“My childhood is filled with countless happy memories as a Club Kid. Summers were packed with field trips, afternoons spent swimming at the pool, and playing basketball, soccer, and dodgeball. After school, I gathered with friends and staff to do homework, play games, and enjoy movie Fridays.”

While there were countless summer and after-school activities, she also remembers how the mentorship she received from the Club staff impacted her life.

“The team at the Club holds a truly special place in my heart,” Diana said. “These individuals were among my first mentors and became an essential part of my support system.”

Looking back, Diana feels incredibly grateful for the joy, laughter, learning, and growth that were part of her childhood and credits the mentorship she received from Club staff as part of the driving force behind her positive childhood memories.

She took her world-class Club experience and went on to attend New Mexico State University, where she earned a B.S. in family and child science, with a minor in counseling and educational psychology, and an M.S. in marriage and family therapy, Diana is currently pursuing her PhD in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in early childhood education. She also serves as the director of impact and outreach for the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, where she is a driving force to help create positive change across 12 counties in Southern New Mexico.

“As a community, we should feel honored to care for our youngest members,” said Diana regarding why it is important for local youth to have access to programs like the Boys & Girls Club. “The Club provides an environment where young people can thrive, a place where their happiness, learning, and growth are prioritized. Every child deserves access to a community that uplifts and invests in their future.”

She also believes that the new facility will make a tremendous impact for not only our Club kids, but for our entire community.

“Investing in the new Club is more than just building a facility; it is an investment in our children and, ultimately, in the future of our community,” she said. “A state-of-the-art space will provide enhanced resources, greater opportunities, and a safe, inspiring environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.”

As is evidenced by Diana’s story, when Club kids grow up, they become part of the fabric of our community by leading, giving back, and inspiring the next generation. Las Cruces needs Club kids; and Club kids need you.

By supporting the Boys & Girls Club, our community is investing in a stronger, more connected future for us all.

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces and youth development programs offered by the organization, visit www.bgclascruces.org or call (575) 526-1519.