2011 ATHENA Geneva Award

  

     Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Arlene Francis, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva has been named the 2011 ATHENA Geneva Recipient.

            The prestigious ATHENA award is given annually to women in communities around the United States to recognize leaders who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for other women to follow. A dinner to recognize all four 2011 nominees, Arlene Francis, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Geneva; Jan Regan, Owner, Jan Regan Photography; Victoria Record, Finger Lakes Health, Director of Education and Dean of the Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing; and Lisa Ventura-Stanton, Director, Major and Annual Gifts, Finger Lakes Health Foundation, was held on September 8th at Club 86.

            Arlene Francis came to Geneva in 1996 to help open a Boys and Girls Club in a community that had never had one. From the outset, Arlene set the proper tone and culture of the Club, one of respect, tolerance, and caring. Since coming to the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, Arlene has been the driving force behind the programs and opportunities offered to the Club's members and their families. She has showered her limitless efforts, and love, on the Club's young people, including young women, inspiring them to gain a sense of confidence and a sense of belonging. Arlene has encouraged and supported many Club members, including many young women, to pursue higher education.

            Arlene's success is not limited to her work with kids and programming for them, she has also established strong relationships with the community at large. She has partnered with such organizations as the Council on Alcoholism, Catholic Charities, the Youth Bureau, the YMCA, and the Geneva City Recreation to develop community-wide programs and initiatives to improve the quality of life in Geneva and for our young people. Arlene can easily be described as willing to collaborate, always a friend to a child in need, and always a partner in moving Geneva forward. She encourages young people to take advantage of opportunities that come their way because regardless of the outcome, they will emerge with a greater self-awareness.

            Arlene was nominated by Michael Bersani, President of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva. 

            This year marked the seventh ATHENA Award given in Geneva. The first six recipients are Nancee Scott, retired Vice President of Retail Sales, Seneca Falls Savings Bank; Dr. Jane McCaffrey, Finger Lakes Medical Associates; Lucile Mallard, Finger Lakes Misdemeanor Drug Court Resource Coordinator; Lara Chatel Turbide, Vice President of Community Services at Finger Lakes Health; Mary Boatfield, Chief Executive Officer of Happiness House; and Dr. Margaret P. Kennedy, Child and Adolescent licensed Psychologist. Also recognized last night was Kim Seidel, the 2011 ATHENA ACE scholarship recipient.