From Club Kid to Community Champion: Lisa Bell’s Journey with Boys & Girls Clubs

Club alumni are living proof of the transformative power of the Boys & Girls Clubs mission — and Lisa Bell’s story is a shining example. As an alumna of the Boys & Girls Club in Lewiston, Idaho, Lisa credits the organization with shaping the life she has today. 

You may recognize Lisa as a familiar face in Central Florida homes. As an anchor for News 6, she’s known for delivering the news with professionalism and compassion. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF), we know her as a passionate advocate for our mission.  

Lisa has been engaged with BGCCF since 2019 and has served on our Board of Directors since 2022. Over the years, she has connected community leaders to our cause, volunteered with Club members, and raised critical funds as an emcee at our annual Faces of the Future breakfast. 

Every board member has a personal “why,” and Lisa’s is rooted in her own experience as a Club kid. 

“I grew up in a Boys & Girls Club in Lewiston, Idaho, and credit the organization with the life I have today. Some of my core memories from childhood were made at the Club. Because of the Club, I was able to attend the University of Idaho on a full scholarship and discovered a career in journalism.” 

Lisa’s journey underscores a central truth: Boys & Girls Clubs open doors — literally and figuratively.  

At BGCCF, we provide kids with tutoring in essential skills like reading and math and with opportunities to explore science, arts, athletics, and leadership. Whether a Club member is creating a t-shirt design, cooking, developing a business plan, performing in the arts, or sinking a shot on the basketball court, they are gaining the confidence, skills, and experiences that shape a positive future. 

“When a child walks through our blue doors, unbeknownst to them, they are walking through doors to a future that they likely could have never even imagined for themselves.,” Lisa said. 

For Lisa, supporting BGCCF is about ensuring that today’s Club kids have access to the same life-changing opportunities she once had. She’s especially proud of initiatives like the Faces of the Future breakfast, which introduces new community members to our mission, highlights the talents of our Club youth, and showcases the dedication of our staff. 

“I just want to thank everyone who works day in and day out to make the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida such a special place,” she said. “Whether it’s our incredible staff who work tirelessly to support our kids, or volunteers and donors who provide resources to make a meaningful impact. Without our Clubs, who knows what our members would otherwise be doing. We give parents peace of mind while they’re at work—knowing that their children are in a positive, safe environment. Great futures truly do start here.” 

Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder of why BGCCF exists: to provide Central Florida kids with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment. With the support of advocates like Lisa, we continue building great futures — one Club member at a time.