Great Futures Start With Her — Introducing Our 2025 SMART Girls of the Year

October 23, 2025

Together, we’re building great futures—one SMART Girl at a time.

The 2025 SMART Girls Celebration Night was filled with pride and inspiration as families, friends, and community members gathered to honor eight remarkable young women representing their Boys & Girls Clubs.

Our SMART Girl finalists—Jamiya (Samuel S. Gray, Jr. at Asylum Hill), Saa’Leesah (Trinity College), and Briza (Southwest)—and Junior SMART Girl finalists—Jilani (Samuel S. Gray, Jr. at Asylum Hill), Jasmine (JDL Northwest), Aliannis (Trinity College), Isabella (Southwest), and Skiilynn (Southwest)—shared their stories with confidence, honesty, and heart.

We were moved by their heartfelt answers to the panelists’ questions—moments that revealed not just their individual strength, but the lasting impact of programs like SMART Girls at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. The girls spoke with confidence, swagger, and poise, leaving the judges speechless and inspired.

Our gratitude goes to the outstanding panelists—Ana Alfaro, Kristina Baldwin, Charlesa Ceres, Evelyn Johnson, Kelly Papa, Laura Sullivan, and Pauline Williams—for bringing mentorship to life. Their encouragement showed how positive adult relationships can open doors and shape futures.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:
SMART Girl of the Year: Briza (Southwest Club)
Jr. SMART Girl of the Year: Jasmine (JDL Northwest Club)

Their confidence, courage, and compassion are proof that great futures don’t just start here—they grow here, with love.

Hartford needs Club kids. Club kids need you.

Join us at the Dashaway Luncheon on November 14, 2025 to continue celebrating our SMART Girls and the mentors who lift them up.

Host a table or get your tickets today: bgchartford.org/events

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Scary Good Fun for a Great Cause: 2025 Donny’s Dash Brings Greater Hartford Together

October 28, 2025

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford President & CEO Bruce Jeffery joins UConn legend Donny Marshall, BGCH staff, and Club Kids at the start of the 2025 Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. Over 400 runners, including 80 Club Kids, participated in this community event in support of Great Futures. Photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. Over 400 runners and 80 youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford laced up their sneakers today for the 2025 Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run, held at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. The event brought together families, community partners, and corporate supporters for a day filled with fitness, fun, and philanthropy—all in support of opening doors to Great Futures for Hartford youth. Among the runners were more than 80 Club Kids r epresenting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, who ran with pride, excitement, and that signature Club energy. Their enthusiasm captured the true spirit of the event—creating opportunities where young people can grow, thrive, and dream big. The celebration featured appearances by Donny Marshall, UConn basketball legend and BGCH Board Member, Morgan Tuck, General Manager of the CT Sun, and Bruce Jeffery, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. "We are incredibly proud to see our community come together to support our Club kids," said Jeffery. "Every mile run today represents a step toward brighter futures for the kids we serve every day." All proceeds from Donny's Dash directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, providing local youth with access to safe spaces, positive mentorship, and programs focused on academic success, character & leadership, wellness and life & workforce readiness.