NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., June 6, 2025 – The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the first graduates of its Police Career Pathway Program, a collaboration among the Club, the New Rochelle Police Department and the Mariano Rivera Public Foundation on Thursday, May 15. The program equips young people for career-readiness skills, with a focus on law enforcement.
The program, led by police officials, career advisors and community mentors, combined in-depth training sessions, real-world experiences and interactive career development workshops to support participants’ communication skills and long-term goals — whether they pursue law enforcement or other professions.
“Programs like this help young people build the knowledge and confidence to pursue careers they may not have otherwise considered,” said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “Through meaningful partnerships and mentorship, we’re helping teens in our community develop critical life and career skills while exploring the full range of their potential.”
“Congratulations to the graduates of the New Rochelle Police Career Pathway Program,” said New Rochelle Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola. “This valuable course provided a meaningful introduction to the world of policing and creates a pathway to real careers in law enforcement. By giving young people the skills, mentorship and firsthand experience they need, we’re helping to build a more diverse, community-connected police force for the future. Thank you to our partners at the Boys & Girls Club for this opportunity.”
“It is an honor to support these incredible young men and women as they take the first step in their professional journeys,” the Mariano Rivera Foundation said in a statement. “Celebrating the Boys & Girls Club’s first graduating class of the Mariano Rivera Foundation’s Police Career Pathway Program marks a significant milestone in our workforce development efforts. These graduates, and the two students who earned certificates of participation, represent the heart of our mission: to create meaningful opportunities that shape futures and strengthen communities. We commend their dedication and look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.”
“I really got to understand what a police officer was,” said 22-year-old graduate Gustavo Morales. “Sitting in here and being able to talk one on one with the officers felt very real and very normal. I can see myself being a police officer now.”
Mentees who completed the program are Morales, Galilea Rodriguez, Hugo Garcia, Juliana Gutierrez, Andres Manzo, Andres Mendoza, Angel Mazariegos, Elissandro Pulido, Christian Pizzol, Edgar Valencia, Estevan Ramos Goddoy, Jesus Torres, Alexis Morales, Paol Penafiel-Cruz, Lance Milton and Daniel Silva.
New Rochelle Police Lt. Eddie Hayes facilitated weekly police training sessions, giving participants the opportunity to gain insight into policing through hands-on learning, ride-alongs and direct discussions with law enforcement professionals. Officers led sessions focused on community policing, procedural justice, conflict resolution and ethical decision-making.
In addition to Hayes, a robust team of mentors included Gazzola, Deputy Commissioner Neil Reynolds, Capt. Raul Rodriguez, Sgt. Terrance Fudge, Jose Pena, Stephanie Rodriguez, Shirley Andrade, Deivy Martinez, Jose Hued, Zayquan Griset, Wayne Nelson II, Marlin Colon, Christopher Buonnano, Fred Goldberg, Joel Fridovich, David Campbell, Natale Ferguson, Jacquetta Hogan and Gladiz Lopez.
The program also offered personalized workforce training led by Ajee’ Davis-Burley, Workforce Development Program Manager at the Boys & Girls Club. Participants focused on career exploration based on personality traits, financial literacy, mock interviews, workplace communication and strategies for long-term employment success. These interactive workshops used games and activities to increase engagement while helping youths set career goals.
Deputy Commissioner Reynolds addressed graduates at the ceremony. “You don’t have to be police officers,” he said. “You learned a lot of different things, a lot of different skills, a lot of ways to go about things. It’s universal — you can apply it to anything. I think all of you are going to be successful.”
The graduation also marked the first major event held in the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s newly updated Mascaro Clubhouse Teen Center, which will serve as a hub for future career-readiness programs and teen-focused initiatives. Additional cohorts in the Police Career Pathway Program are scheduled to launch throughout the year.
For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 10,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.
