How the Clubs Helped Guide a Novato Police Officer
The echoing shouts of kids playing ball and the release of energy that comes after school – that's a familiar image of Boys & Girls Clubs. But for Officer Jonathan Antimo-Hernandez, former Club Kid and Director, the Clubs aren’t just a place for after-school programs or a blip in one’s career – but a springboard for self-discovery and a source of inspiration.
Officer Antimo's story with the Clubs began in his youth. Following his parents' divorce that led to him living between two cities, the Clubs at San Rafael and San Francisco became sanctuaries of fun and positivity.
“It was awesome, because I was a big outdoors kid,” said Antimo. “I loved that there was always some sort of sport going on, especially kickball and dodgeball, it was always guaranteed that you’d get to play one or the other.”
Beyond the fun and games, the Clubs fostered a sense of community and inclusion. Older Members and Staff weren't just faces in the crowd, they were positive influences, radiating an infectious enthusiasm and welcoming nature that made every Member feel like they mattered.
Years later, while pursuing a criminal justice degree at Sonoma State University, Antimo connected with Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley at a career fair. What began as a program assistant role blossomed into a fulfilling journey as program coordinator and eventually, Club Director at the Maxwell Clubhouse in Sonoma.
There, he witnessed firsthand the impact the Clubs had on the Members and the community.
“I really enjoyed the relationships I built with the kids, and you could see for many of them, the Club was their home away from home,” said Antimo. “They were excited to see you, and that was always a highlight. For some of those kids, you could tell that they even preferred to be at the Club than at home, with some stating that they didn’t want to leave at the end of the day. That was a great sign that we were running a great program, and that was an amazing feeling.”
The Clubs also became a training ground for invaluable skills that Antimo would carry into his next career. Patience and adaptability became second nature as Antimo navigated the diverse personalities of the different Members. While some were extroverts who thrived on athletic pursuits, others were introverts who found solace in the digital world.
"It was always interesting to learn more about kids, seeing what they gravitate towards, and learning their needs,” Antimo explained, "It instilled a self-awareness about my communication skills. It shaped me into the police officer I am today, helping me to connect with people from all different walks of life."
Antimo explained that while he always knew he wanted to go into law enforcement, he never thought he would end up working with kids. Initially wanting to catch criminals, once he started to work with kids and the community, that changed.
“I thought I wanted to become a police officer to catch bad guys, but now I know I want to work more on prevention, and make sure that we set kids down the right path,” said Antimo.
This gave him a better sense of purpose and pride in his community.
And more than just that, it gave him a sense of belonging, even as an employee. Antimo cherishes a memory from his first summer as Director. Arriving at the gym on his birthday, he was greeted by an uncharacteristic silence – a room filled with 200 wide-eyed kids. Banners, balloons, and a chorus of birthday wishes erupted, making it, to his day, what he says was his best birthday yet.
Overall, he loved his time at the Club both as a Member and as Staff. He’s always viewed the Clubs as an integral part of the community “We provided free programming, and families relied on us heavily because they had to work late hours and early mornings. They knew they could count on us to be there,” said Antimo.
When asked about his time at the Clubs, he says he wouldn’t change a thing. “I think Boys & Girls Clubs serves a huge purpose and I’m grateful for the Club giving me that chance.”