Submitted by Frank Lavin

Dear Salesian Community:

It is with great joy, pride and some sadness that we announce the retirement of the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco of our
Director of Programs, Joselyn Staley. Her official retirement will begin July 1, 2020.
Joselyn will be greatly missed at The Club. We wish her health, happiness, love and a joyous well-earned retirement spent with her family and friends. Joselyn has been with the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club for more than 30 years. She is sewn into the very fibers that make up The Club and it is almost impossible to honor and summarize the work she has done throughout her career and the legacy that she leaves behind.

THE ROAD TO THE CLUB:
Joselyn was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She graduated early
from Mission High School in 1974 and went off to the University of California
Santa Barbara where she met the love of her life and now husband, Jim. Jim
and Joselyn were married in 1976 and lived in various places around the
country before returning to San Francisco in 1988. Joselyn earned her
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University in 1977.
Following her graduation she was a District Manager for Wells Fargo for over
six years.
In 1975, while picking her goddaughter up from a half day at Saints Peter and
Paul School, she noticed the Salesian Sisters actively playing with the kids in
the yard, jumping rope and playing kickball. She thought to herself, “One day
when I have kids, they will go to school here.” Not only would her daughters,
Jasmin and Jade, attend school at SSPP, but she would go on to teach there
starting as a substitute in 1989 and then full time from 1990-1994.

THE CLUB:
Joselyn was an integral part of the early success of The Club. When the
Salesian Girls’ Club and the Salesian Boys’ Club merged in 1994, becoming
the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club that we know today, Joselyn was Director of
the Girls’ Club. The first woman in that role since the merge.
During her career with the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club Joselyn has officially
been, Director of the Girls’ Club, Programs Director, Day Camp Director and a
sewing class instructor. She has also been, a colleague, a mentor, a coach, a
friend, a wife, a mother and an auntie. Joselyn has been dedicated to each role
with a blend of expertise, commitment, loyalty, passion and love.
Joselyn’s career at The Club actually began while she was teaching at
SSPP. She volunteered for the Salesian Girls’ Club for many years as a
volleyball coach and after school programs fundraising maniac. As a Girls’ Club
volunteer she also helped with hot lunches, holiday parties, Salesian Summer
Day Camp and Christmas craft fairs. During this time she even volunteered for
the Boys’ Club.“One day while on lunch duty, Randy DeMartini came up to me
and asked if I knew any girls that could sing and dance who would be
interested in being a part of the Boys’ Club’s variety show. He offered me a
Panelli sandwich in exchange for my help. I continued to recruit talent and
sewed the costumes for that variety show until the Clubs’ merged,” Joselyn
remembers.

When it was announced that the two clubs would merge in 1994, Joselyn was
encouraged to apply for the Girls’ Club Director position at the new Club by
SSPP Principal, Sr. Cecilia Henry. After three interviews with then Executive
Director Russ Gumina, Joselyn was hired. Now, 30 something years later, here
we are.

LIFE AFTER THE CLUB:
Once retired Joselyn plans to enjoy time with her husband, children,
grandchildren and extended family, to sew, to travel and to spend time with
friends. However, when you’re truly a member of the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’
Club, you never really leave. Joselyn plans to continue to teach sewing, serve
on several committees at The Club and even bring back the infamous Club
Canteen. Written by Bridget Veltri, former Club Kid Joselyn’s note:

I have to say that working with The Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club is not just
my job, or a part of my daily life, it’s a part of who I am.
When I started my career here, then Executive Director Russ Gumina said to
me, “Your family has to support you in order for you to be successful here.” His
words became true, because the Club is so important to me, it has become
important to my family. My family all have volunteered in so many different
ways over the years, from cooking at the (Girls’) Sleep Away Camp, to doing
IT work at the Club, being counselors at Salesian Day Camp, coaching various
teams, securing donations and serving and setting up at all our events.
I want to thank my whole family. My husband Jim, who for 25 years was a
Martial Arts instructor at The Club. My two daughters, Jasmin and Jade, who
have volunteered at the Club since they were old enough to join it. My son in
laws, Albert, for always donating Giants gear and tickets for our events and
Marco, for coaching baseball. My parents, Emma and Salvador. My brothers,
Joe and Joaquin. My sister in laws, Cora for donating Hello Kitty merchandise
for events and filming martial arts demonstrations and variety shows and Lucy,
who was a Women’s Dinner Honoree. I also want to thank all of my nieces and
nephews who have volunteered in various ways throughout the years.
It is from the bottom of my heart and with immense gratitude, that I want to say
thank you to the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club. This is not good-bye, this is
when the fun part begins!

With love,
Joselyn