Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady Staff

Alyssa started with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady during the summer of 2022 as the Summer Program Coordinator/ 21st Century Summer Program Coordinator for the four Schenectady City School District sites. She is an alum of the University at Albany where she received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and discovered her passion for serving the communities of the Capital Region. Alyssa comes from an education and nonprofit background, currently serving as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Girls on the Run Capital Region. She previously worked in the City School District of Albany as a paraprofessional providing socio-emotional education, restorative justice, and crisis intervention for middle school aged students. “I am so excited to be a part of the important work BGCS is doing to provide engaging, educational and safe programing for the youth that represent the bright future of this community.”

Michael Baish

Administrative Assistant, BGCS

After having previously worked with BGCS as a volunteer and counselor at Camp Lovejoy, Michael began working at the Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady as an administrative assistant in the spring of 2017. Michael has worked in human services for WSWHE BOCES and Schenectady ARC. He appreciates the opportunity to interact with club members and their families, as well as the staff and Board at BGCS. When not in the BGCS office, Michael is a member of Club Blue (the Young Professionals Board for the BGCS), and enjoys being at home with his wife Erica and their two dogs.

Michelle Ballou

Administrative Assistant, BGCS

Michelle comes to BGCS with a background predominantly of an entrepreneurial nature as an Administrative and Virtual Assistant, as well as having owned Decadent Diva Gourmet Chocolates in Ballston Spa. She also has an extensive background in the tax preparation, retail and restaurant fields.

She has been a mentor, has hosted foreign exchange students, has been a foster parent and is an adoptive parent. Michelle has always strived to be an advocate for and be a safe, nurturing and positive resource for children.

“Working for the children of Schenectady through BGCS fulfills my need to work for a greater purpose than myself. I love to see the kids’ smiles!”

Maria Centor

Area Director, BGCS

Maria joined the Boys & Girls Clubs in June 1995. She has held positions of Program Director at Rotterdam and Mont Pleasant clubhouses as well as the Unit Director for the Mont Pleasant Clubhouse. Since 2002, Maria has also been the director of Camp Lovejoy, one of many summer programs run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, a position she continues to hold today. Maria has been a national training associate with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1998 and is now a learning coach. Maria is still as passionate about the organization’s mission and purpose today as she was when she first started. Her son, Scott, and daughter, Jennifer, are both Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni, and she attributes the staff at the clubhouses for helping shape their lives in becoming positive, caring adults. Maria loves spending time golfing with her husband, Michael, and being with her family.

Tish Czachor

Director of Advancement, BGCS

Tish joined BGCS in May of 2017 with an extensive background in nonprofit fundraising and marketing including working with inspired donors at the Brain Injury Association of NY State, Susan G Komen Colorado and the Denver Zoo. She believes in making the world a better place through philanthropy and enjoys working with donors to fund programs and projects that align with their values and ambitions. Tish has been an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2012 and is currently a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from SUNY Buffalo State. Having grown up in Long Island, she now resides with her husband and two children in Cobleskill, NY.

Kristen Di Poffi

Schools Specialist, After School Program

Kristen DiPoffi was born and raised in Schenectady. Kristen graduated from the College of St. Rose with her Bachelors in Childhood Education and acquired her New York State teacher certification. She started with BGCS in June of 2007 as a Camp Lovejoy camp counselor and she continued with the organization at the Mont Pleasant clubhouse as a Site Assistant while going to school full time. Eventually, Kristen transitioned into the role of Program Director for the Mont Pleasant Clubhouse and continued onto to become the Program Director at Camp Lovejoy since 2012. She currently holds the position of School Program Coordinator and Contract Manager. “There is no greater feeling than watching a child become an adult and hoping in some way that I had an impact or shaped that person’s life.”

Ta-Sean Murdock

Program Director, Adeline Wright Graham Clubhouse

Ta-Sean is a Youth Advocate who lives in the Capital Region with his wife and his family. He is an alum of Albany High School and a graduate of North Charleston High School in Charleston, South Carolina. Ta-Sean has been a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement since his teenage years as a teen member and now as a Club Professional. He started his professional career within the movement at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area as a Teen Director and Unit Director providing programs and services to youth in Albany. Ta-Sean is very committed to making a difference in his community and having a positive impact on children and teens. His community work has led to him receiving the 2017 UHPP Champion of Justice Award, 2017 WO-MEN Who Rock Award, 2019 YMCA Adult Achiever Award and a 2022 Multiplying Good Jefferson Award Nominee.

Julie Rouse

Unit Director, Rotterdam Club

Aquatics Director, Schenectady City Pools

Julie started working at the Rotterdam Club of BGCS in January 2006 as a part time Lifeguard, Swim Instructor and volunteered as a swim coach. In August of 2006, she became the full time program director at RBGC and the Aquatics Director for the Pools in Schenectady in the summer time. Besides working with children and families in the community, her passion is raising her two young daughters, ages 1 and 3, and spending time with her loving husband. “Children, families and community is my passion and because I had strong caring relationships with adult mentors during my youth, I feel it is very necessary to provide the same to the youth in our community.”

Kiara Shelley

Career & Support Specialist, Adeline Wright Graham Club

Kiara Shelley is a City of Schenectady native. In 2001, Kiara began her journey with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady as a camper at Camp Lovejoy. At the age of 14, Kiara transitioned to Counselor in Training at Camp Lovejoy. Kiara would further her commitment to Boys & Girls Club by holding many different positions at Camp Lovejoy including Dance Specialist and Teen Unit Counselor. Mont Pleasant Boys & Girls Clubhouse became her base club as a teenager.

In 2014, Kiara graduated with an Associate in Science degree in Criminal Justice from Schenectady County Community College while maintaining employment at Mt. Pleasant Clubhouse. In 2016, Kiara obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Investigation from SUNY Canton and continued employment with the Boys and Girls Club during college breaks. In 2018, Kiara became the Assistant Director of the Mont Pleasant Boys & Girls Club. became the Teen Director at the AWG Clubhouse and is now a Career & Support Specialist. Kiara enjoys basketball, and spending time with family and friends in leisure time.