CANDACE HELMICK

C.E.O

     Candace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and has 8 years of experience in working in a corporate environment and 13 additional years of experience with non-profits such as BGCOC. Keeping a non-profit sustainable and thriving is a challenge that Candace enjoys tackling. It’s the positive impact it makes on her members of the club that keeps her focused and determined, much like, the impact it made on her own three children that attended and now work at BGCOC.

ELLIOTT ELLINGER

Assistant Program Director

     Elliott has worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since February of 2016 and knew right away that his passion was being a mentor to the youth in his community. He was born and raised in Tularosa and attended The Boys and Girls Club of Otero County throughout the majority of his youth. Like many of the other members that have poured their heart and soul over the years into BGCOC, Elliott has been amazed at what the organization has grown into. As the current Assistant Program Director, he is honored to work with such a unique, creative, and outstanding group of individuals.

ITZEL VEGA

Front Desk Clerk

     Itzel has worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since August 2015. She was first hired as a Youth Development Professional and subsequently moved into the role of Front Desk Clerk, where she is able to interact with the diverse members that attend the club and build stronger relationships with the community of Otero County. She strives to make a positive impact on every single member that walks through BGCOC's front doors. Through her time spent at the club, she has found a passion for her education and is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Itzel also aims to continue onwards to acquire her master’s degree in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

TYLER HELMICK

Senior Youth Development Professional

     Tyler has been a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since he was 6 years old. Since then, He has experienced the numerous programs the club has to offer, first-hand, such as the Learning Center, Smart Moves, and Triple Play. His experiences as a member have played a vital role as a Senior Youth Development Professional where he utilizes the skills learned over the years to create fun and engaging activities to interact with members and allow them to grow into capable and productive citizens.  Tyler has just recently graduated from Alamogordo High School as of May 2019 and plans to attend NMSU to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.

MARY FITZSIMMONS

Senior Youth Development Professional

     Mary has been a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since 2005 and has transitioned into becoming a member of staff in 2016. She is a Senior Youth Development Professional who also coordinates the After-School Snack Program. When she is not busy providing our members with nutrient-rich snacks after school, Ms. Mary can often be seen coming up with fun and creative projects in the Arts & Crafts room. “My favorite part of working at the club is watching the members as they grow and mature from group one up to our teen members.”

ALYSSA MONTOYA

Youth Development Professional

     Alyssa is currently a Senior attending Alamogordo High School and has been working as a Youth Development Professional at The Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since 2018. She is also very involved in local organizations such as being a dancer for Showtime Studios as well as a being ambassador for Flores Studios. She aims to be a leading role model for today's youth of Otero County and be that one person that they might not have in their lives that can help them become successful citizens. Alyssa comes to BGCOC with a smile on her face every day, ready to tackle every and any situation that may come her way.

CAITLIN HELMICK

Youth Development Professional

     Caitlin has worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since 2017 and has been a member as early as she could remember. She is currently a Senior attending Alamogordo High School and wishes to pursue a degree in Sports Medicine in college. Her goal as a Youth Development Professional is to inspire and encourage members at the club to become successful and productive citizens in the same way she was encouraged to be when she was a member herself. Outside of BGCOC, Caitlin spends a lot her time playing Volleyball for the Alamogordo High School Varsity Team. 

JALEN WALLACE

Youth Development Professional

Jalen has been working at The Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since 2018. He finds joy in working at BGCOC because he aims to inspire other members to be as outgoing and fun as he is. Along with working at BGCOC, Jalen also spends his time coaching the youth of Showtime Studios, competing in the National Dance Alliance, and watching anime such as Naruto and Dragonball Z.

ASHLEY HELMICK

Youth Development Professional

     Ashley has been a member of the club as early as she could remember. She is currently a Sophomore at Alamogordo High School who is also taking classes at NMSU-A who grew up as a member of the club. She enjoys working at the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County because of the many relationships she is able to build with the members and the positive impact she can have on her community. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, painting and drawing.

KC WACHTER

Youth Development Professional

     KC has been worked at The Boys and Girls Club of Otero County since 2018. She enjoys working with the members here at BGCOC because they inspire her to find new ways to captivate and teach members how to grow and reach their full potential. KC's favorite past times include spending quality time with her family, working out, attending car shows, and listening to live music. 

JACQUELINE RODRIGUEZ

Youth Development Professional

     Jacqueline is currently working towards a degree in Kinesiology to become a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Her main goal as a Youth Development Professional is to be able to give kids the same experience that she remembered from her time as a member of BGCOC; Everything from the summer lunch programs to the exciting field trips, and all the essential life skills that are learned along the way. Jacqueline is passionate about her role at BGCOC and feels the same excitement she felt years ago as a member of BGCOC.

TAVIANA QUAZADA

Youth Development Professional

     Taviana is a diabetic, legally blind, independent, and outgoing young lady. She has been working at the Boys & Girls Club now for eight years. She graduated from both Tularosa High School and New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in 2014. She loves working with kids and truly loves to inspire children by showing them that nothing should hold them back at any point. She also loves teaching them neat various little tricks that may help them in school and life. All in all, she loves inspiring and teaching children valuable lessons.

SIERRA JOINER

Youth Development Professional

     Sierra has been working at the Boys and Girls Club since the start of the 2019 Summer Camp program, after graduating from Alamogordo High School. Sierra saw the Boys and Girls Club of Otero County as the perfect stepping stone to pursue her dream of being a teacher. She now attends NMSU-A to complete a degree in Elementary Education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, four-wheeling, creating art, and spending time with her family.