Building Opportunity for Lancaster’s Youth
By Karen Schloer
Can you share a little about yourself? Where are you from, and what is your current role and organization?
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, so I’m a lifelong black-and-gold fan at heart. I transferred to Millersville University from community college during my sophomore year and later earned my MBA from Elizabethtown College in 2011 — both experiences shaped my path in meaningful ways.
I’m currently the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, where I’ve had the privilege of serving for nearly three decades. What started as a part-time job has turned into a lifelong commitment to youth and community.
Outside of work, I’m a proud (and happy!) empty nester — my son is grown and forging his own path. I love to travel, especially anywhere with sunshine and a coastline. And at home, life is shared with my two golden retrievers, who make sure I never take myself too seriously.
At the core, I’m someone who believes deeply in community, connection, and showing up where you can make a difference.
What inspired you to get involved in nonprofit work, and what led you to the position you are in today?
I joined the Club 29 years ago as a college senior looking for a part-time job. I knew I wanted to do work that mattered — I just didn’t yet know what that would look like. What I found was more than a job. I found purpose.
In many ways, I’m as much a success story as the young people we serve. The Club didn’t just shape my career — it transformed how I see the world and how I move through it. Working alongside kids and families, I witnessed both incredible resilience and the very real systems that create barriers for marginalized communities. That experience changed me. It deepened my commitment to service and made this work personal, not just professional.
My first 15 years were spent in direct service and operations. I solved problems, supported staff, and made sure our Clubhouses ran smoothly. But I was always curious about how we could do more than operate programs — how we could create intentional, strategic change. That curiosity led me to take on new roles within the organization and in the broader community.
When the opportunity arose to step into the CEO role during a leadership transition, I felt ready — not just because of my experience, but because of my belief in the mission. What matters most to me as a leader is partnership: working closely with our board, supporters, staff, and the community we serve to ensure we are not only sustaining the Club, but strengthening it for the future.
This work started as a job. It became a calling. And nearly three decades later, I’m still inspired by the young people who walk through our doors every day.
Can you tell us about your organization’s mission and the impact it is making in the Lancaster community?
Our mission is simple, but powerful: to empower all young people — especially those who need us most — to reach their full potential as caring, responsible, and productive citizens.
In Lancaster, that mission shows up in very practical ways. From the beginning, we’ve intentionally opened Clubhouses in neighborhoods where access matters most. We’ve always believed that opportunity shouldn’t depend on ZIP code, family income, or how much paperwork a parent can fill out after a long day at work.
That’s why we keep our barriers incredibly low. Membership is just $1 a year and a simple one-page form — no stacks of income verification, no complicated process. If a family wants their child to have a safe, positive place to go after school, the door is open.
And that matters. There are thousands of young people in our community who need consistent, affordable afterschool support. Every child deserves a place where they feel seen, supported, and safe — regardless of the challenges they may be facing at home.
At the Club, that looks like caring adult mentors, enriching academic and leadership activities, exposure to new experiences, and something as foundational as a hot meal every day. It’s not just about keeping kids busy after school — it’s about building confidence, stability, and opportunity.
The impact isn’t just measured in programs delivered. It’s measured in young people who believe in their own potential — and in a stronger Lancaster because of it.
What is one program, initiative, or success story from your organization that you are especially proud of?
It’s hard to choose just one program, because what I’m most proud of isn’t a single initiative — it’s the lifetime impact.
I’ve watched our members grow from elementary school students making arts and crafts projects to young adults heading off to college, starting careers, and giving back to this very community. There are hundreds of success stories where the Club played a role — sometimes a big one, but often a quiet, steady one in the background.
And honestly? It’s usually the small moments that stay with them. Not the big events or awards — but the staff member who helped with homework when they were struggling. The coach who noticed their leadership potential. The hot meal at the end of a long day. The adult who simply showed up, consistently.
Over the years, I’ve personally helped students navigate college applications, land their first jobs, and work through some incredibly difficult seasons of life. Those moments are sacred. They’re reminders that this work is deeply relational.
On paper, the numbers are strong — we serve 300 meals each night, send 200 kids to camp for six weeks every summer, and support more than 2,200 enrolled members annually. But the real magic happens in the everyday: when a child walks through our doors, is greeted with a smile, and steps into a space that feels safe enough to call home.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of our staff — the mentors, leaders, and role models who show up day after day with energy, patience, and heart. If there’s one thing I’m especially proud of, it’s the culture they create and the legacy of belonging that continues to live on in Lancaster through every young person we serve.
What are some of the biggest challenges your organization or the people you serve are facing right now?
One of our biggest challenges right now is visibility — and understanding.
Afterschool programs don’t get talked about enough, and they’re often misunderstood. We’re not childcare. We’re not daycare. And while those services are critically important, afterschool programs serve a different — and equally essential — purpose.
Afterschool is about youth development. It’s about relationships, mentorship, leadership skills, confidence-building, and creating a sense of belonging during the most formative hours of a young person’s day. It’s a powerful space. It’s fun, yes — but through that fun, lifelong relationships are built and futures are shaped.
The challenge is that because people don’t always understand the difference, afterschool professionals are rarely prioritized in meaningful ways. We don’t receive per diem reimbursements from the state. We don’t benefit from federal bonuses tied to childcare funding. There isn’t a clear professional pipeline feeding into the afterschool field.
In fact, there are very few academic programs specifically designed for youth development in the afterschool space. Students studying psychology, social work, education, or criminology may eventually work with young people — but “afterschool professional” isn’t typically presented as a distinct, valued career path.
So we build that pathway ourselves. We invest in community members, college students, and emerging leaders and help them grow into youth development professionals. We train them. We mentor them. We show them that this is not just a stepping stone — it’s meaningful, transformative work.
The reality is, afterschool programs are often low-cost, low-barrier access points for families who need them most. And yet, the impact is high. When we begin to truly recognize and invest in afterschool as its own profession — not an extension of something else — we strengthen not just programs like ours, but entire communities.
What does leadership mean to you, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
To me, leadership is about building culture first. Strategy matters. Vision matters. But culture is what sustains an organization when things get hard — and they always do.
I lead through relationships and thoughtful planning. I believe in being clear, direct, and solutions-oriented, and I’m not afraid of a hands-on, “let’s get it done” approach. But leadership isn’t just about action — it’s about moving with purpose. It requires vision, direction, and the discipline to stay aligned with your mission even when the path gets complicated.
Over the years, I’ve learned that listening is one of the most powerful leadership tools. Asking thoughtful questions. Gathering facts. Making decisions that are human-centered and rooted in empathy. When people feel heard, they’re far more likely to lean in and lead alongside you.
Collaboration is also essential. No meaningful change happens alone. Leadership means knowing how to work with like-minded people who share a common goal — and sometimes learning how to work through differences while still protecting the mission.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is the difference between reacting and responding. Reacting is emotional and immediate. Responding is intentional. It takes discipline to pause, process, and choose your next step carefully — especially in high-stakes moments. But that pause often makes the difference between short-term relief and long-term progress.
At its core, leadership is responsibility. It’s setting the tone. It’s modeling integrity. And it’s understanding that the way you show up every day shapes the culture and the outcomes of the people around you.
What advice would you give to young professionals or community members who want to get involved and make a difference?
My biggest piece of advice? Keep an open mind.
It’s easy to assume we understand our community — its challenges, its needs, even the services that already exist. But real impact starts with curiosity. Take the time to visit local nonprofits. Attend events. Volunteer. Ask thoughtful questions. Listen more than you talk.
This is your community. And strong communities aren’t built by a handful of people — they’re built by informed, engaged individuals who care enough to show up.
If you want to make a difference, start by getting proximate. Join a committee. Sit in on a board meeting. Explore junior board or advisory roles. Offer your professional skills — whether that’s marketing, finance, HR, tech, or strategy. Nonprofits need more than good intentions; they need talent and fresh perspective.
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to learn and step in.
Because when young professionals engage early — with energy, ideas, and a sense of ownership — they don’t just support their community. They help shape its future.
What does the phrase “Next Generation of Lancaster” mean to you?
To me, “Next Generation of Lancaster” represents momentum.
We live in a fast-paced world that’s constantly evolving. Every generation brings new priorities, new perspectives, and new ways of solving problems. The goals may stay similar — strong businesses, thriving neighborhoods, meaningful careers, healthy families — but the methods shift. And that shift is important. It’s how communities stay relevant and resilient.
The Next Generation of Lancaster reflects that evolution. It creates space for young professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow — not just socially, but professionally and civically. It brings together voices from different industries and backgrounds, offering content and conversations that broaden perspective and spark action.
It’s more than networking. It’s empowerment. It’s about equipping emerging leaders with the relationships, knowledge, and confidence to step into meaningful roles in our community.
Because the next generation isn’t “someday.” They’re already here — shaping Lancaster in real time.
Looking ahead, what gives you hope about the future of Lancaster and the next generation of leaders in our community?
What gives me hope is the way Lancaster intentionally creates spaces for people to come together.
Organizations like Next Generation of Lancaster, Leadership Lancaster, United Way, the Chamber, and the Community Foundation are actively inviting professionals to convene, learn, and build relationships. That matters. Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation — it develops through shared dialogue, exposure to new perspectives, and a willingness to engage with the bigger picture.
Lancaster has grown into a vibrant, energetic, and dynamic community. It’s become a place people want to live, work, and visit. With growth in business, tourism, and innovation, there’s incredible momentum here. But growth also requires intention. As industries expand and our population evolves, we need spaces where we can have honest conversations about who we are and who we want to become.
Our history should be acknowledged and understood. Our current challenges should be faced directly. And our future should be shaped thoughtfully — not accidentally.
What gives me hope is that those conversations are happening. Young professionals are asking questions. They’re showing up. They’re engaging across sectors. And through those conversations, we’re collectively shaping the values, priorities, and resources that will define Lancaster’s next chapter.
The future feels hopeful because it’s not being left to chance — it’s being built, together.
This conversation highlights the lasting impact organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster have on the community. Through mentorship, opportunity, and a commitment to youth development, their work continues to shape the next generation of leaders while strengthening the future of Lancaster.