2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Finalist
Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club
SEP Financial Services
HD Vest
Stephen Plain envisioned creating a children’s recreation program where all kids could access recreational services, hang out with friends and have a safe place to go where people cared about them, regardless of their ability to pay for these services. After two years of working with community stakeholders, Stephen helped found the Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club in 1993. At that early point in time, the organization lacked money, paid staff and facilities — it rented school gym space on Saturday mornings. Since then, however, the organization has grown to serve 300 youth daily in before and after school programming, and 600 youth daily in two summer camp programs.
As the founding Board Chair, Stephen has volunteered thousands of hours to the club, providing fiscal oversight and strategic planning guidance. He oversaw the agency’s efforts to become financially sound and worked with staff to develop an investment strategy, as well as a resource development plan. Stephen’s energy and commitment to youth recreation in his community helped transform the Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club from a fledgling startup into a reputable nonprofit organization.