News
Exciting News: Meet our new CEO, Erin Oliver!
We are thrilled to share exciting news with you!
As of October 1, 2025, Erin Oliver has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties.
Erin was unanimously selected by our Board of Directors following a national search process with the support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s CEO Search Team. She has been a member of our Board since 2018 and brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership, organizational transformation, and community advocacy.
Erin’s commitment to young people and her love for this community make her an inspiring choice to lead our Clubs into the future. In her own words: “This community is my home, and I’ve always been inspired by the spirit and potential of our young people. Now, as CEO, I’m thrilled to pour my heart into the Boys & Girls Club and work alongside our amazing team to help every child discover their own unique path to success.”
We invite you to join us in celebrating Erin’s first day as CEO and this exciting new chapter for our organization. Together, we will continue to build great futures for the youth who need us most.
Sue Bloom Retires after 15 years of service to local kids
After many years of dedicated service, our Chief Executive Officer, Sue Bloom, has retired. We are incredibly grateful for her leadership and the lasting contributions she made to the Boys & Girls Club and the youth we serve.
As we conduct a thorough search for our next CEO, Robbin Kerner, our Chief Development Officer, is serving as Interim CEO. Under Robbin’s leadership, we remain focused on our mission and committed to providing the high-quality programs and experiences our community has trusted for over 55 years.
Our Board of Directors is actively leading the search process, and we look forward to introducing our new CEO in the coming months.
Teen Court Changes Lives
When Isaiah* came through the doors of Teen Court at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties, he had accumulated 13 low level charges ranging from simple curfew violations to theft. In and out of the juvenile court system, Isaiah longed to clear his record and earn a chance for a better future. He had attempted to enroll in public programs to expunge his record, but didn’t find the support he needed to complete their requirements. He knew he had what it took to set himself up for a better future, he just needed a little guidance from someone who cared.
Teen Court provided exactly that. The Teen Court director Lucy wasn’t simply going through the motions of her job, she provided genuine guidance and support, both practically and emotionally. Isaiah shared how much this impacted him from the first meeting, saying “She made me fell like what happened to me mattered ... I could tell they really cared about me and my future.” While emotional encouragement was invaluable, Isaiah was also provided with practical help that other programs weren’t able to give him: a 3000 ft view of what the program aimed to do and how it worked, texted reminders about upcoming meeting and deadlines, and even a free bus pass to make sure he could get anywhere he needed to be to fulfill the program requirements.
Armed with the support he had been missing, Isaiah thrived in the Teen Court program. He showed up willingly to his Teen Court session and enthusiastically completed all disciplinary actions required of him. But Isaiah found one aspect of the Teen Court program truly transformational: going back and sitting on the jury. Through the ability to ask questions of teenagers who had fallen into similar situations, he realized how powerful of an impact those around you can have and realized that to stay of of trouble in the future, he needed to surround himself with friends who encouraged him to do the right thing. Even more importantly, the opportunity to sit on the Teen jury helped Isaiah realize hi potential to have a positive impact on on those around him, giving him a “sense of hope and belonging.”
Today, Isaiah is a model citizen of the Salem community with no criminal record. He’s successfully pursuing a psychology degree from a local community college, while also working full time and helping care for his little sister. Like so many others, Isaiah was always a bright kid with a big heart who’s circumstances led him to make some poor decisions. With a little guidance, he now has a better hope for his future. He, and so many others, “only need someone to care and give them a second opportunity to be great” and Boys & Girls Club of Salem is proud to be part of his success.
*Name has been altered for privacy purposes.
The Teen Court Luncheon, sponsored by Armstrong Chai LLC, takes place every October and brings together the legal community to support this important program.
Cultural Experience at the Beach
The annual Beach Trip has been a tradition at our local Club for more than 30 years! It is a special day for our Club members, especially those who are experiencing a trip to the coast for the first time.
This year, under the guidance of Rebecca, Director of the Miss Indian Northwest Pageant, a talented group of performers from various tribes provided our youth with an engaging cultural performance. Over the course of two days, club members were treated to six 45-minute sessions that included introductions, performances, and interactive Q&A segments.
The performers, hailing from the Modoc Yahooskin, Klamath Modoc Yahooskin, Salish Kootenai, and Ojibwe tribes, began each session by introducing themselves in their native languages. They shared their tribal affiliations and the regions in Oregon where their tribes are located, offering our youth a deeper understanding of their heritage.
The performances featured a variety of traditional dances, including Women’s Traditional Dance, Women’s Jingle, Straight Song and Side Step, Grass Dance, Sneak Up, and Women’s Fancy Dance. One of the highlights was the intertribal dance, where everyone, including club members and staff, participated. After each dance, performers shared insights into the significance of the dance, the song, and the regalia, adding an educational layer to the vibrant display of culture.
Our Club members had the opportunity to engage with the performers, asking questions about the history of the land, the tribes that inhabit the Pacific Northwest, tribal languages, cultures, traditions, and the challenges faced by Native communities today. These discussions were invaluable, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding among our youth.
Overall, the beach trip was a resounding success. The cultural performances not only entertained but also educated our club members, staff, and the native community. The positive feedback we received from everyone involved highlights the impact of this experience. We look forward to continuing to offer such enriching opportunities to our club members in the future.
Exceptional Teen Named Oregon Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Selected among 6 outstanding youth from across Oregon, Betzabet (Betzy) has been named the Oregon Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 77th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures. As the 2024 Youth of the Year, Betzy will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the state, will receive a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and will advance to the regional Youth of the Year and ultimately the national event.
Gascar Hernandez is a senior at Woodburn High School and has been attending the Boys & Girls Club since her sophomore year. She aspires to attend University of Oregon and study government and politics. She participates in the T3: Training Teens for Tomorrow program where she received workforce development training and participated in an internship at Woodburn’s City Hall along with support with college applications and future plans.
“Being at the Boys & Girls Club reassures me that continuing my studies is the right choice. They advocate for keeping good grades, being involved in the community, and networking. I have even landed a job thanks to them, and have visited universities with students that were equally curious about pursuing postsecondary schooling. If I had known that the Boys & Girls Club offered so much, I would have enrolled sooner,” said Gascar Hernandez.
“Betzy’s determination, resilience and poise shine in everything she does,” said Sue Bloom, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties. “Her journey and accomplishments are a testament to her hard work and commitment to a bright future.”
Pictured: Betzy and Sue Bloom, CEO, at the Oregon Youth of the Year Event in March 2024
Panda Express Supports Academic Success
Panda Express and the Panda Cares Foundation is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs to empower youth to learn, lead and thrive for better lives.
With their support, our Clubs will continue to put an emphasis on academic success in our daily programs, including: Power Hour daily homework help, Project Learn activities that incorporate learning targets with fun activities, Summer Brain Gain, and DIY STEM.
Thank you Panda Express for supporting the next generation!
Boys & Girls Club partners with Comcast to support STEM, leadership and the arts
Supporting My.Future Program
The Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties is proud to partner with Comcast NBCUniversal in support of the My.Future program. The My.Future program is a mobile-friendly web platform that gives Club members access to 185 Boys & Girls Club program activities in 11 program areas such as STEM, leadership and the arts.
