Rivera Commends Participants in Innovative Workforce and Career Development Program Funded by Rivera Foundation at Two Club Locations
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2025 – Six Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle young adults were celebrated for career-development accomplishments by New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera at a dinner that in part spotlighted his Foundation’s investment in youths’ futures at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.
Rivera praised the Club youths at the 3rd Annual Mariano Rivera Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic at the Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, N.Y. His remarks highlighted his Foundation’s support of the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center, a transformative three-year collaboration between the Foundation’s Save 653 program and the Club at the Club’s Remington and Mascaro Clubhouses. Rivera also took time to greet Club representatives who attended the dinner.
“I have 652 career saves, but 653 is the one where we help those in need. That’s most important because we’re not saving games, we’re saving lives,” said Rivera, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a dominant relief pitcher. “Someone gave me an opportunity and I took advantage of it. That’s why we want to create that opportunity for someone less fortunate. Hopefully they take that same challenge and opportunity and run with it. This is something special; we’re always pushing forward to help those in need.”
Executive Director Hallie Lorber said the Foundation’s investment in the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle “opens doors and provides resources that match the passions of our students. From culinary arts to law enforcement to the print industry, we’ve seen amazing cohorts thrive. The success of this event means we can reach even more students in the years ahead.”
Laura Probst, the Foundation’s Deputy Executive Director & Head of Programming, said Boys & Girls Club youths’ testimonials about the programs were inspirational. “Hearing them share their experiences and their ‘why’ with our supporters was a powerful reminder of the importance of this work,” she said. “The partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been central to our mission. Together, we’ve built pathways that help students see what’s possible for their futures. The golf event allowed our supporters to experience that impact firsthand, and it was inspiring to see the connections made on and off the course.”
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle CEO Becky Mazzanobile spearheaded a contingent of Club members and administrators who were specially invited to the golf classic and dinner. Club youths were stationed at golf course tees, meeting celebrity guests and sharing how the Mariano Rivera Save 653 Foundation’s investment helps equip them to attain successful careers.
“The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is deeply grateful to Mariano Rivera and the Mariano Rivera Save 653 Foundation for its investment and guidance of our young adults’ career dreams,” Mazzanobile said. “We also are thrilled and humbled that Mr. Rivera publicly commended our youths for their accomplishments during such a high-profile event. We are honored by the Foundation’s trust and look forward to a long, fruitful relationship with the Foundation, all to ensure great futures for our youths.”
Mazzanobile said the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center provides hope, inspiration and concrete support for building rewarding careers. The Boys & Girls Club was awarded a grant from the Foundation to launch seven innovative career pathways benefiting as many as 800 or more adults ages 18-24 over three years. These include the New Rochelle Police Department Career Pathway Program, to attract future New Rochelle police officers, and the Culinary Career Track Program, which equips young people with technical training and professional skills to prepare for culinary and hospitality careers.
The collaboration supports innovative career pathways for youths from under-resourced backgrounds, offering resume development, assistance securing jobs and internships, or acceptance in training programs and higher education. Program components blend soft-skills training, mentorship and hands-on experiences with real-world applications, strengthening confidence, resilience and participants’ visions for their futures.
The police program already has graduated two cohorts of students; the culinary program recently celebrated its first graduates. Both, with curriculum designed and facilitated by Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Workforce Development Program Manager Ajee’ Davis-Burley, welcomed young adults for hands-on learning and career-readiness training including resume building, job-interview preparation and financial literacy workshop, as well as field experiences in professional kitchens and with the New Rochelle Police Department.
“Meeting Mariano Rivera at the Gala was an incredible honor,” said Boys & Girls Club member Andrew Romero. “I told him how thankful I am for everything he’s done for the Club, especially for helping launch the Police Pathway Program. That program changed my life. It gave me the inspiration and tools to pursue my dream of becoming a police officer…. Now, I’m proud to give back by helping out at the Club myself. Mariano told me he was grateful to hear that and said he hopes all of us find success in life. That moment made me feel proud and deeply motivated.”
Representing the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle at the Gala were:
- Cameron Mack, a sophomore at New Rochelle High School and graduate of the second cohort of the Culinary Career Pathway Program. “This program taught me so much more than recipes. I learned about teamwork, time management and leadership,” he said. “One of my favorite moments was stepping into the role of head chef. It boosted my confidence and showed me I’m capable of leading in the kitchen. My dream is to open my own restaurant, just like Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, who never gave up on her dream.”
- Tylek Saunders, who graduated from the first cohort of the Culinary Career Pathway Program. “This program was the best experience I’ve ever been part of,” he said. “We learned safety, sanitation and communication skills that are essential in any kitchen. It reignited my passion for cooking and reminded me of my father’s dream to be a chef. I’m determined to follow in his steps and one day become one of the top chefs in America.”
- Cesar Vargas, a freshman at New Rochelle High School and graduate of the second group of the Culinary Career Pathway Program. He explained, “The program… not only helped me grow professionally, but also gave me confidence in public speaking, helped me make new friends and focused my mindset for what’s next in culinary.”
- Andrew Romero, a senior at New Rochelle High School and graduate of the second group of the Police Career Pathway Program. “This program taught me discipline, structure and what it truly means to serve and protect. It gave me the confidence to step into new opportunities and prepared me for my future as a police officer,” he said. “Beyond the skills, it showed me I can lead, inspire and make a difference. I truly enjoyed working with all of the officers. I’m following my dream of becoming a police officer and applying to college with the guidance of Program Manager Ajee’ Davis-Burley.”
- Ryan Gustas, a New Rochelle High School graduate who works at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, graduated from the second cohort of the Police Career Pathway Program. “I had the honor of meeting Mariano Rivera, and one thing he said really stuck with me: ‘You have to take every opportunity and run with it.’ That advice meant a lot to me because it’s exactly what the Mariano Rivera Foundation has helped me do — seize opportunities that are shaping my future,” Gustas said. “Through their law enforcement readiness program, I gained hands-on experience with the New Rochelle Police Department. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence and support I needed to return to college. I am truly grateful for the doors this program has opened.”
- Vianney Godinez, a graduate of the second Police Career Pathway Program group, will pursue a career in law. “The Mariano Rivera Foundation Workforce Police Program opened my eyes to opportunities I never thought were possible for me,” she said. “It gave me the confidence to see myself in a career of service, taught me discipline and showed me how important it is to have mentors who believe in me. This program didn’t just prepare me for a future job; it prepared me for life and gave me the vision for my future.”
For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 10,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Key facts about the Club:
- 54% of alumni believe their Club experience “saved their lives.”
- 97% of our youth members expect to graduate high school.
- 97% of members try to help when seeing others in need.
- 76 cents of every dollar raised funds Club programs, earning a ”highly efficient” rating from Charity Watch.
- 92% of clubhouse members, 91% of the leadership team, 81% of the staff and 75% of Club sites at schools represent diverse ethnicities.
- The Club has more than 250 adult volunteers.
Learn more at BGCNR.org.