Boys and Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Winner Earns A New 2016 Toyota Corolla

Jocelyn Wood, a 13-year member of the Pacific Region of the Boys & Girls Club, is Rewarded by Toyota Financial Services for Leadership and Academic Excellence

Torrance, CA – Raised in what she describes as “the projects,” Jocelyn Wood was a child constantly confronted by rampant drugs, gangs, and crime. Her mother was working as many as three jobs to support the family, and young Jocelyn was forced to grow up at an early age.

That American dream of college and a brighter future seemed like it would always be just that, a dream.  At least that’s what she thought, until the mentors at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley saw an untapped potential in Wood before she even realized it herself. “My Boys and Girls Club was a catalyst of my motivation,” said Wood. “I knew that I was capable of doing and being more.”

As Wood continued her involvement with the Club after school, she began finding her own voice, using her struggles as motivation to work harder and overcome the obstacles faced by too many young people in under-served communities. Now, after being honored as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year, she’s eager to attend the University of Southern California to study journalism. “I want to tell the stories of people that don’t yet have a voice.” When Wood has some free time from her studies at USC, she’s ready to hit the open road to visit Seattle, Portland, and Canada – exploring beautiful parts of the Northwest she’s never seen.

Toyota Financial Services (TFS) – the signature sponsor of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year Program – honored Wood by rewarding her with a new 2016 Toyota Corolla. Her ambition, passion, service, and academic excellence have allowed Wood to overcome great obstacles, and it’s for this reason TFS is proud to support such positive, life-changing organizations like the Boys and Girls Club.

“It’s incredible to see the transformative power of Boys and Girls Clubs, and to watch young adults like Jocelyn fulfill the Clubs’ mission by becoming such an exemplary role model and changing force in the community,” said Mike Groff, TFS President and CEO, and Board of Trustee for Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

TFS has donated a Corolla annually to the Youth of the Year winner since 2011.

Jocelyn Wood stands with Toyota Financial Services President & CEO Mike Groff in front of her new 2016 Corolla. She was awarded the Corolla for overcoming the struggles of her community, determined to succeed as she starts her studies in journalism at the University of Southern California.