Along with mentoring an 8-year-old boy through Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge, Joseph Cefalu has created a young professionals networking group to increase participation in the club among his peers.
Cefalu, an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, tells Business Report in its latest Pay It Forward feature that he tries to make it to University Terrace Elementary School in the afternoons whenever he can to help the boy with his homework. The pair talk about school—what the child is struggling with and what he enjoys.
“It’s hands on where you’re seeing the effect you can have, rather than just making a financial contribution,†Cefalu says.
After homework comes playtime.
“We are playing basketball, but talking about life,†Cefalu says. “He gets a different aspect from another adult role model that he might not otherwise have access to.â€
Cefalu has been a mentor to several children since 2013. He became involved in Boys & Girls Club through work after two of his firm’s board members invited him to a Steak & Stake Dinner, a large fundraising event held annually where corporate donors and sponsors enjoy a steak dinner while sharing the table with club members.
Cefalu says he left the event knowing he wanted to get involved in some way. He served on the committee for the fundraiser the following year.
“They’re such kind-hearted kids,†Cefalu says. “They deserve to have that attention on them.â€
A little more than a year ago, Cefalu co-founded a young professionals networking group called Club Blue to help generate greater interest in the Boys & Girls Club among young professionals.
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