How Owen alumni are giving back to the place that helped shape their lives
For nearly 60 years, the J. Churchill Owen Boys & Girls Club has been a cornerstone of the Westwood community. Generations of kids have walked through its doors after school, found friendships, discovered new passions, and built confidence that lasts a lifetime.
Some of those kids never really left.
This fall, Club kids might be greeted by Zack, a longtime Owen staff member who grew up attending the Club himself.
“The main thing I could remember the most about my childhood was being at the Boys & Girls Club,” Zack shared. “I’m pretty blessed and lucky. This is my purpose.”
Karla’s story is part of Owen’s legacy, too. She regularly volunteers at the Club and was one of the first girl members when it became the Owen Boys & Girls Club in the 1990s.
“The day came when I was able to walk in with my membership form in one hand and a dollar in the other,” Karla proudly shared. “It felt like I belonged.”
While the Club continues to grow and evolve, the heart of Owen remains the same: helping every child feel safe, supported, and valued.
For Zack and Karla, the Club became a place that shaped who they are. Today, they’re helping create that same experience for the next generation.
