Josue Irizarry
President & CEO
Contact Me:
(413) 583 2072 ext: 113
About Me:
Josue has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community impact and fundraising. My goal is to ensure that the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club succeeds in meeting the needs of the community we serve and continues to expand our impact and our collaborative partnerships to build a stronger community.
Before joining the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club. Josue held various titles including Executive Director, Association Child Development Manager, Events Coordinator, and Youth & Family Director at various nonprofits located in Connecticut. Josue received his Bachelors of Science in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University.
Currently, Josue serves on the Board of Directors for the Opportunity Industrialization Center of New Britain. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, visiting museums, traveling, and attending various sporting events such as football, baseball, boxing and basketball.
Katie Mitus
Director of Programs & Administration
Contact:
413-583-2072, ext. 104
About Me:
I have worked for the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club since 1996. From 1996 to 2000 I worked as The Program Director overseeing many of the youth athletic and aquatics programs. I became The School Age Childcare Director in 2000 and oversaw The Before-School, After-School, and Summer Camp programs. In 2011 I took on the position as Director of Program Development. I have Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from Providence College and Master of Education Degree from The University of Massachusetts.
Job Description:
In my current position I oversee the administration of The School Age Childcare Programs, Preschool, Athletics, as well as Community and Special Events. I also work in collaboration with all programs to implement and conduct Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s programs and activities that are impactful in three priority areas: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Citizenship.
Fun Fact:
I was the coach of The Ludlow Sea Lions Swim Team in 1996, the first year they were a part of The Pioneer Valley Swim League.
Cristina Jardine
Director of Donor Relations & Events
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 103
About Me:
I started in October 2016.
Job Description:
I work with the Development Team to raise vital funds for the Club’s diverse programs. Specifically, I’ll be helping to strengthen relationships with individual donors and business sponsors while finding new ways to increase the visibility of the Club in the Ludlow community.
Fun Fact:
My two favorite television shows are The Golden Girls and Columbo. Yes, really!
Matt Thompson
Athletics and Fitness Director
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 123
About Me:
I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport and Recreation Management from Springfield College. I have worked in a variety of settings, from high school athletics all the way to semi-professional sports. I also was a camp counselor at the club for 5 years!
Job Description:
My main responsibility is to plan and deliver sport programs and activities to youth participants by promoting, organizing, and overseeing seasonal sports leagues for all age groups and gender.
Fun Fact:
Outside of athletics, I am a fitness fanatic, music enthusiast, and a hardcore fan of MMA and the UFC!
Jodie Lambeau
Director of Programs
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 103
About Me:
I became a part of the Western Mass community in 2021 when I moved to Holyoke. Before moving out this way from my hometown of New Bedford, I worked in a variety of direct care professions that served youth and adult with special and high-level needs. I really enjoy participating in sports, recreational fitness, and coaching. I attended Lasell University for my undergrad and graduate programs, majoring in Exercise Science and Sport Management respectively. My graduate degree with dual concentrations in Parks & Recreation and Athletic Administration really accelerated my jump back into community recreation. I’m passionate about serving the public and fostering a fun and equitable health-centric culture.
Job Description:
I’m here to support and oversee many of our youth and adult programs in Athletics, Aquatics, Fitness, and Membership. I will also be organizing and collaborating on community programs and events for all ages.
Fun Fact:
My favorite athletic involvement is coaching roller derby!
Christina Yacono
Office Manager
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 126
About Me:
I am a new member of the team at the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, having just started in 2023. After growing up abroad in Okinawa and Germany, I came to the Pioneer Valley to attend UMass Amherst, where I graduated with a double major in Political Science and Japanese. I have worked as a personal assistant and social media manager, but found the greatest joy in tutoring and teaching children. This lead me to transfer my skills to the Boys and Girls Club and make a greater impact on early childhood education in the community.
Job Description:
My main responsibility is to ensure effective communications internally and externally while supporting the functioning of the administrative office and the Club as a whole. I will also be taking photos and managing the Club's social media and website.
Fun Fact:
My current hobbies are teaching my cats tricks, painting miniatures, and cooking.
Sheri Santos
School Age Director
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext 125
About Me:
Other positions I’ve held: Aquatics Director, Kindergarten aid, Camp Counselor, and Preschool Aid.
Job Description:
As the School Age Childcare Director I provide supervision to the After School, Vacation days, Special days, and Summer Camp.
Fun Fact:
I like to mix peanut butter and marshmallow together and eat it in a cup.
Bri Lewicki
School Age Assistant Director
Contact:
413-583-2072 ext. 128
About me:
I was a Club kid for five years. I then became a Before and After School counselor while attending Bay Path University for Child Psychology. Once I graduated, the site coordinator position opened up, and I have loved this position ever since! Around the same time, I joined the Development team as a Development Associate. I was promoted in 2023 to School Age Assistant Director.
Job Description:
As the School Age Associate Director, I am responsible for the supervision and the overall operations of the Before School Program. I also help out in the After School Program in assisting the School Age Director with management to the After School, Vacation days, and Summer Camp. I help with the different activities that we offer for our After School Program.
Barbara Glanville
Preschool Director
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 117
About Me:
I started working at the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club on August 1, 2016. This is my first experience as an employee of the Club. However my husband and his siblings were all members of the club and have fond memories of the Mack Donnelly days. My three children all played for the Boys and Girls Club basketball teams throughout their childhood. Most recently my grandson enjoyed coming to the afterschool program and plays basketball for the Club as well.
Job Description:
In my role as Preschool Director it is my responsibility to oversee the daily operations of the preschool. This includes insuring the safety and well being of all the children enrolled, guiding the curriculum, accurate record keeping, adherence to Dept. of Early Education and Care and NAEYC regulations, providing materials and supplies and staff support.
Fun Fact:
I have a knack for telling funny stories. In fact my girl friend had a video made of me telling some of my funniest stories so she could view it while she was in labor with her first child.
Erin Thibault
Preschool Lead Teacher
Contact:
(413) 583-2072
About Me:
I worked in the afterschool program for a few months, and then substituted in the preschool program. I was hired full time in October 2008. This is my first experience within a Boys & Girls Club.
Job Description:
As a teacher I am responsible for the safety and education of the children. I implement a curriculum that is enriching and fun. I was a science major in college, so I especially enjoy teaching this area of curriculum.
Fun Fact:
I love to garden and care for animals, so I work to engage our children in natural science, and they have a blast! We started a preschool garden, and I also teach embryology with all three classrooms. I also love to do crazy-fun things with the kids. Friday is “Aloha Friday” in our classroom and we do a conga line around the class!
Lori Ebberston
Preschool Lead Teacher
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 121
About Me:
I am a wife and mother of 2 adult children and 3 fur babies. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and have been a preschool teacher since 1995. (Please do not do the math! Lol) I started teaching preschool here at the club in 2017 but spent a lot of time here when my children were young. You could find me here many nights and weekends attending their basketball games and other sport events. We even celebrated their birthdays at the pool parties here. Teaching preschool and working with young children isn't just a career to me, it's my passion. I love what I do and can't imagine spending my days any other way! Unless I was retired and on a beach somewhere, but I think I have a few more years before I do that.
Job Description:
I am proud to help provide a safe, loving and nurturing environment for our preschool children to thrive in. Lead Teachers help prepare children for school and the world around them; academically, emotionally and socially. We do this by creating and implementing age-appropriate lesson plans and curriculum, selecting effective developmental materials for the classroom, and utilizing positive behavior reinforcement. We support creativity and incidental learning through play. We also provide individualized care for every child to help them achieve their personal and intellectual goals. We observe, document and make progress reports for each child and hold conferences with parents to keep them informed of their child's progress throughout the year.
Fun Fact:
I feel Dogs are like potato chips, you can't have just one!
Preschool Lead Teacher
Contact:
413-583-2072 ext. 114
About Me:
Job Description:
Fun Fact:
John Regan
STEAM Coordinator
Contact:
(413) 583-2072 ext. 108
About Me:
I am new to the Ludlow Boys & Girls club as of Spring 2023. I have been a touring puppeteer and educator for 15 years and in that time I grown to love teaching as much as performing. I have always found inspiration in the intersection of math, science, and the arts, as well as sharing that joy with others. I was looking for a way to impact my local community and the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club is the perfect fit.
Job Description:
As the STEAM Coordinator for the Club I am responsible for creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment for middle school and high school youth through planning and implementation of programs, events, and workshops. I will also be overseeing and maintaining the Maker Space and upcoming eSports Lab. I look forward to sharing my passion for Art and STEM with the Club kids and the wider community.
Fun Fact:
I learned to Swim in the basement pool of the Old Ludlow Boys & Girls Club.
Ciera Tseka
Aquatics Director
Contact:
413-583-2072
About Me:
I became an American Red Cross Lifeguard at the age of 16 and have been working in Aquatics on and off ever since. I have held positions of Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Lifeguard Instructor, Swim Coach, Aquatics Coordinator, and Aquatics Director. I enjoy everything water related and spend most my time by water, whether it be a pool or the beach. I have underlying health issues, so overall health is extremely important to me. If I am not in water you can find me coaching and playing all types of sports and hitting the weights.
Job Description:
As an Aquatics Director, my job is to ensure a safe and productive Aquatics Department for all. I will be implementing swim lessons year round as well as water exercise, water dance, and water therapy classes. There is a large transition and many new programs to look forward to throughout the year!
Fun Fact:
I can play 5 different instruments… Can you guess which?
Membership Coordinator
Contact:
413-583-2072 ext. 102
About Me:
Job Description:
Fun Fact: