JR Wynne, director of guidance program operations at the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, was recently honored for his work in facilitating local youth achievement.

Wynne, Plover, was named the recipient of the prestigious 2016 Maytag Dependable Leader Award for his demonstrated dedication to keeping youth on the path to achieve great futures. The award recognizes Boys & Girls Club officials who are committed to making a difference as dependable and exceptional role models.

Through a national partnership, Maytag brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) selected Wynne as one of 12 winners nationwide to receive this year’s distinction, which includes a $20,000 financial grant for the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County.

Specifically, the Club will use the grant to fund scholarships and new equipment for youth programming. Wynne was nominated for the award by Kevin Quevillon, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County.

For almost a decade, Wynne has been making a positive impact on youth by steering them in a better direction and helping them beat the odds. Under his leadership and dedication with the Club’s Gateway Report Center – a stand-alone site for youth that have been referred by social workers and given the opportunity to participate in after-school programming and community service – over 100 youth have found their way back to a more promising path after making poor decisions that left them on the wrong side of the law.

In fact, Wynne’s commitment to the program has helped a high percentage of participants to avoid mandated placements outside of their home.

“JR has had over 100 youth ages 12-17 under his guidance since 2007, and the results are overwhelmingly positive,” said Kevin Quevillon, executive director at the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County. “When youth participate in our Gateway program, they have an extremely low recidivism rate of just over 20 percent and an out-of-home placement rate of just 8 percent. We credit this success to JR’s ability to work with these kids who need it most.”

Often Wynne goes beyond his call of duty and provides leadership for transition homes for adults that need help re-entering society after incarceration or need a safe shelter while recovering from alcohol and drug abuse issues. Wynne is constantly finding a way to maximize the potential success of people while breaking the harmful cycle and helping them on their road to recovery. For example, Wynne regularly stays connected with law enforcement officers, judicial workers and social workers in the community to further assist those working to re-establish “normal” lives.

Wynne has an obvious knack for helping community members of all ages recalibrate their lives and get on a path towards success. This drive and dedication began during a critical moment in his life. Many years ago, Wynne was involved in a car accident that left him quadriplegic. Rather than slow him down, Wynne adapted to his new life and used his own situation to be an example that overcoming obstacles, big or small, is possible.

“The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows Maytag brand to give back to Boys & Girls Club professionals and volunteers across the country who give tirelessly to their local communities,” said Laura Somers, brand manager, Maytag. “It is our honor to recognize JR Wynne for his exemplary efforts and support at the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County.”

With a heritage of dependability dating back more than 100 years, the Maytag brand mission is to build high-performing and dependable products. Boys & Girls Club dependably serves youth, enabling them to reach their full potential as high-performing adults.