School-age Childcare Director and Camp Director, Franklin County YMCA: Age 28
Paris Felogloy
Paris Felogloy grew up attending summer camp at a YMCA.
“I remember being surrounded by so many different kids. I could come here and learn stuff from older kids and also learn stuff from the younger kids and play different games with all of them,” he recalled.
Which makes it even more gratifying to impact children today as director of Camp Apex, one of his roles at the Franklin County YMCA, where he oversees both the before- and after-school youth programs and the summer camp.
“We get kids as early as 6 a.m., then you get them back after school until 6 p.m.,” he said. “Most of the kids love it so much, they go to camp with us as well, so we watch them grow throughout the entire year. It’s awesome.”
Felogloy manages a staff of around 55 — mostly high-school or early college-age students — overseeing these programs, which typically serve about 230 children from kindergarten through grade 8. Both programs have grown under his leadership, generating talk of expanding them to meet demand.
“It’s really cool. Kids might geek out an arts-and-crafts project and then go upstairs and kick home runs in kickball. We surround kids with so many activities — swimming lessons, nature activities … a little bit of everything, from scooters, skateboards, and BMX bikes to virtual-reality stuff. We keep every moment of every day pretty busy. I just love being in front of these kids all the time. The impact is really life-changing.”
And not just for the kids, said Franklin County YMCA CEO Grady Vigneau Jr., who nominated Felogloy for 40 Under Forty, and noted that many of his staff are taking on the first professional work role of their lives — and learning under a committed teacher, coach, and mentor.
“It is not a stretch to state that Paris — within a safe, supportive, family-like environment — has developed innumerable young people into trusted, future professionals while still in high school,” Vigneau wrote.
Active in the community, Felogloy is a community ambassador for a child sexual-abuse prevention initiative through the Children’s Advocacy Center, while volunteering over the years for a host of other nonprofits. In addition, he has worked to cultivate a side business in photography and videography, and also builds furniture.
“I just enjoy the process of learning and doing things,” he said — and helping hundreds of kids do the same.
—Joseph Bednar
