Staff

Being a staff throughout this whole experience was amazing…and it definitely impacted my life. Teens in the program are now more comfortable telling me things that go on outside of the Club in their lives which is huge. The program definitely sharpened my professional skills…and this program pretty much builds a group that I believe can consider themselves family. This program is life changing.”

Director of Experiential Travel Programs

Adam Chaprnka began his work at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston as a volunteer at the Jordan Club of Chelsea over 13 years ago. Since that time he has served in multiple roles including Social Worker and Program Director at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury. Today, Adam is excited to be a part of building out experiential learning programs aimed at older Club teens. The goals of experiential learning programs are to help Club members become responsible, engaged global citizens who can succeed in the global workforce.

Charlestown Club / Explore Japan

Norma Cumbee is the Pre-Teen Specialist at the Charlestown Club. She grew up in Malden, MA and graduated from Malden High School. As an undergraduate, she was a member of the National Student Exchange program that awarded her the opportunity to attend Alabama A&M, a historically black university, for one year upon graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UMass Boston. After graduation, Norma volunteered for 2 years within Boston Public Schools as a certified Restorative Justice Circle Facilitator and has over 6 years of experience in nonprofit work. Norma is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work at Simmons University and is beyond excited to be a part of Explore Japan!

Dariana Diaz is the School Age Education Director at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club and helps facilitate Explore Japan at that location. She grew up in Dorchester and was a part of the METCO Program attending school in Melrose. She went onto attend Elms College and swam all four years there. Afterward, she attended Cambridge College receiving her Master’s Degree in Public School Guidance and Counseling. Dariana loves fashion, reading, traveling and swimming.

Miho Takahashi was born in Osaka, Japan where she studied Japanese language education from one of the most prominent Japanese language scholars, Dr. Miyaji. Miho was trained to teach Japanese language to non-Japanese speakers and obtained a certification of completion of Japanese language education. After she graduated, she worked as an international exporting agent, learning the business practices of Japan. She was hired by the University of Oklahoma in 1997 and taught Japanese language at all levels as a lecturer in the Modern Language Department. In addition to teaching college students, she also has taught youth and business professionals as well as lawyers and university professors privately for 20 years. She is currently the owner of North Shore Japanese Language Education and Services in Beverly, MA and offers unique language and culture programs to youth and adults.

Edgerely Family South Boston Club / Explore India

Braidie Connors has served as the School Age Education Coordinator for the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club since November of 2014. Braidie has run several programs at the club including, Lil Journalists, STEM Stars, Moving Making Club, French Club and Adventure Club. Before joining the Boys & Girls Club, Braidie worked as an administrative assistant/ in house substitute and long term French substitute for her Alma Mater, Boston Collegiate Charter School. She earned her BA in English and is currently working towards her M.Ed. in Learning & Instruction from Northeastern University. Braidie believes in dreaming big, three of her life goals are to read as many books, climb as many mountains, and learn as many languages as she possibly can. She is so excited to be a part of this program!

Michael Letchfield has been working at the Edgerley Family South Boston Club as the Program Director for over 2 years, but has 10 years of experience working with teens at other youth development organizations. He has a degree in Criminology from the University of Northumbria and a Teaching Post-graduate degree from the University of Greenwich. Both colleges are located in the United Kingdom. When he graduated from his South London high school, Michael and a group of friends went on a three month backpacking trip up the east coast of South America. They visited Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil, meeting a lot of cool people and having many adventures. That experience changed his perspective on what was possible and two years later he was working at a youth camp in Wisconsin. That position would lead me him toward a career in youth development and becoming a permanent citizen of the United States!

Jordan Club of Chelsea / Native America Program

Ricardo Maldonado is the Teen Engagement and Retention Coordinator and the Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea. He grew up in Guayama, Puerto Rico then later moved to Revere. Ricardo graduated from UMass Boston where he majored in Criminal Justice and Sociology. He was also a member of the cross country and track & field team. While in college Ricardo traveled a decent amount due to track & field and loved competing in Atlanta and Miami. His passion for traveling continued outside of track with visits to Iceland, Thailand and Hong Kong more recently. During his free time Ricardo enjoys cooking as well riding his motorcycle.

Yawkey Club of Roxbury / Explore India

Charles Armstrong-Hicks is the Social Worker at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury. He grew up in Windsor, Connecticut and went to Wheelock College for his Bachelors degree before receiving his Masters in Social Work at Boston College. During college, Charles did an internship at the Boys & Girls Club and returned to the organization to work full-time after he graduated. He has been with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston for three years and has traveled to India twice with the Club. His favorite food is a Vietnamese soup called Pho.

Yassyra Diaz is the Education Director at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury and proud alumni of the the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. She has been involved in the job pipeline, starting as a Junior Staff and transitioning to become the Education Assistant before moving into her current role. Yassyra loves to swim and volunteers with the Yawkey Club Barracudas Swim Team. She has a background in teaching and taught at an elementary school before taking a full-time position with the Boys & Girls Club. Her favorite activities to do include swimming with dolphins and watching Disney classics!

Mercedees Thompson is a Teen Advocate at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury. She has been with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston for 4 years and has led three trips to India. Before that, she was the Teen Director at the Taunton Boys & Girls Club where she was also a Club member as a youth. Mercedees graduated from Bridgewater State University with a degree on Criminal Justice and Sociology. She is an alum of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and played Rugby during college. An interest fact about her is that she has duel citizenship between the United States Canada.

Experiential Travel Programs are a crucial part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. These programs allow Club members to grow as global citizens as well as build their character and knowledge.”