Liz Chavez
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
For the second consecutive year, Boys & Girls Club of San Benito CEO Liz Chavez has been honored with a prestigious nationwide award, the 2025 Southwest Contribution to the Profession Award.
This achievement reflects not only her leadership but also her lifelong connection to the Club and its mission. For Chavez, the recognition is deeply personal.
“Receiving an honor two years in a row is meaningful because I was once a Club kid myself,” she said. “The Boys & Girls Club was my very first job as a teenager. Professionally, it affirms that the work my team and I do every day is impactful and not going unnoticed.”
Chavez’s path to becoming CEO began nearly a decade ago when a friend called to say the Club needed help. She stepped in immediately. “The rest is history,” she said. “Our future leaders led me to this field. They needed me.”
Since then, Chavez has become known across Texas and beyond for her advocacy. She intentionally joins state and national leadership teams, committees, and boards to ensure the Rio Grande Valley’s youth have access to the same high-quality opportunities as children in larger communities. “I study the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ behind successful programs so I can bring those opportunities home,” she explained.
Her leadership style, based on transparency, compassion, and high standards, has created a culture of empowerment. “I focus on empowering staff so they can empower our youth,” she said. “That’s what makes our programs highly successful.”
Chavez is also open about the challenges children and families face, including economic stress, limited resources, and inconsistent support. The Club offers stability, mentorship, academic help, and a safe space every day. These daily interactions reinforce why she leads the organization. “Seeing our members experience breakthroughs, gain new skills, build friendships, seek mentorship, each moment reminds us why this work matters.”
Advocacy, she emphasized, often happens behind the scenes: countless meetings, legislative conversations, and community partnerships designed to ensure that local youth are represented wherever decisions about children’s futures are being made.
Despite overseeing a growing organization, Chavez remains intentionally connected to Club members. “I stay present at the Club and make time to talk with our youth and staff,” she said. “Their experiences guide my decisions.”
Looking ahead, the Boys & Girls Club aims to expand program space, increase mental health support, expand workforce-readiness initiatives, and strengthen key partnerships—efforts Chavez believes will raise both the quality and reach of their services.
As for the community that continues to support the Club’s mission, Chavez offered a heartfelt message: “Thank you for trusting us, supporting us, and believing in our mission. This award belongs to our staff, our youth, and a community that never stops showing up for our kids.”
The Boys & Girls Club of San Benito is located at 410 N. Stookey Rd., San Benito. For more information about the club, contact, (956) 399-6442.
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