When you meet José Lira, there’s an instant sense of calm—he’s soft-spoken, thoughtful, and deeply committed to helping young people find their footing in technology and in life. But behind that quiet confidence is a story that began at Club One more than a decade ago.
José first walked through the Club’s doors in 2014 as a shy 14-year-old freshman in high school. Back then, the Club didn’t yet offer STEM programs, so he joined photography through After School Matters. Still, he was drawn to computers and anything that allowed him to explore how things worked. “They trusted me,” he recalls. “Even when STEM wasn’t available yet, the staff saw how much I loved technology.”
That trust paid off. In the summer of 2018, José joined the staff at Club One as an IT Specialist—the same summer he met AJ, who interviewed him with a few playful questions about hacking iPhones. “I told him I’d done it before,” José laughs. “And he said, ‘We should hire José.’” That moment began a mentorship that would evolve into years of collaboration, innovation, and impact.
Together, José and AJ built out what would become the foundation of Union League Boys & Girls Clubs’ STEM and IT Entrepreneurship programs—from SeaPerch underwater robotics to coding, 3D design, and LEGO robotics. Even during the pandemic, when in-person programs shut down, José kept youth engaged through virtual STEM classes on Zoom, teaching 3D design and digital literacy through BGCA’s MyFuture curriculum. “We didn’t stop,” he says. “We found ways to keep kids learning and connected.”
Over time, José’s role evolved from instructor to Technology and Science Coordinator, overseeing quality across sites and mentoring other staff. Though he no longer teaches every class, his heart remains with the kids who remind him of himself—curious, shy, and eager to learn. “I didn’t have these programs when I was their age,” he says. “That’s why I love creating those opportunities now. I want them to have the preparation I didn’t.”
His journey also took him beyond the Club. José graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in Information and Decision Sciences, combining technology and business analytics. Today, he balances his work at ULBGC with his role as a Digital Retrieval Specialist for the Chicago Police Department, continuing his passion for technology while ensuring that Club youth see what’s possible.
When asked what advice he would give to current members, his answer is immediate and sincere:
“Take every opportunity offered to you. Even if you don’t think it’s for you—try it. These programs prepare you for college, for life, for confidence. You won’t regret it.”
For José, it all comes down to giving others what he once needed most: encouragement, access, and someone who believes in their potential. “The work we do matters,” he says quietly. “Because these kids depend on us. And I want to make sure they know that we believe in them.”