Building Dorchester’s Future
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Making History Together Friends,
Dorchester
is a special place, a community rooted in generosity and aspiration. It is also richly diverse and accepting, a neighborhood people are proud to live in and call home. Dorchester is also home to two well respected nonprofits who care deeply about children, families, diversity and inclusion. Since 2014, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and the Martin Richard Foundation have worked together to make Dorchester and Greater Boston more welcoming for children of all backgrounds and abilities. Our shared values put thousands of young people on track for success, and add to the region’s vibrancy and strength. Yet, we need to do more. BGCD and MRF are joining forces to make history here in Dorchester by reimagining how we serve our children and our neighbors. Our neighborhood is evolving to meet a myriad of social and economic demands, and this partnership is uniquely qualified to serve as an anchor and convener. The partnership will unite a network of like-minded institutions and individuals to forge an innovative approach to youth development and family support. However, five decades of non-stop activities have taken a toll on BGCD’s facilities. Now is the time to transform our clubhouses and expand our programming so we may continue serving this community for the next 50 years. Why this Matters … Our neighborhood is stronger because children and teens have a place to connect with caring adults and engaging programs. These connections equip our members with the tools they need to achieve in school, make healthy lifestyle choices, form supportive social networks, and develop leadership skills. Families benefit, too. Many parents work multiple jobs and know the Club will provide their kids with a nutritious meal every evening, help them complete homework, and encourage them to explore one of BGCD’s enrichment activities. All of this alleviates parental stressors and contributes to a family’s stability and economic security. Good Value … An investment in BGCD shapes a child’s tomorrow. Today’s members are the region’s future parents, community leaders and employment pipeline. Every board member, staff person and volunteer work to ensure our young people are better prepared for their futures, and this cascades across the region. Together with our 200+ partners in education, leadership, arts and athletics, BGCD programs instill skills and mindsets that will benefit every aspect of community life. A University of Michigan study commissioned by Boys & Girls Clubs of America found that every dollar invested in Boys & Girls Clubs returns $9.60 in current and future earnings and is a cost savings by reducing subsidy dependence. This study showed that Club members improve their grades and reduce alcohol use, and their parents’ incomes increase. Take a look at what we have planned. With your help, Dorchester’s children and teens will have access to world-class facilities and exceptional youth development programs. #WeAreDorchester
Lee Michael Kennedy Bill Richard Chair, Board of Directors Founder/Director Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin Richard Foundation Dorchester
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is an independent organization and separate from others located in Greater Boston.
Bob Scannell President & CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester
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Building Dorchester's Future
An Oasis of Peace Two respected Dorchester organizations are teaming up to do something BIG! Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and the Martin Richard Foundation will transform the landscape of youth development services in Boston’s inner city by creating state-of-the-art facilities and access to high quality programs that will sustain our young people for the next 50 years. Today, our three Clubhouses serve more than 4,000 youth annually, ranging from infants to 19-year-olds. With over 200 programs offered in the arts, early education and care, healthy lifestyles and academic success, we’re bursting at the seams. We’re determined to serve even more youth with state-of-the-art programming in the best environment possible. So, over the next few years, we will create an entirely new campus fully supportive of our work as one of the region’s most important hubs for youth development and education.
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The Martin Richard Foundation will play a critical role in this exciting initiative. Its commitment to promote kindness, inclusion and peace, paired with its investments in youth-serving organizations that encourage and empower young people of all abilities, aligns with BGCD’s core values. Our shared focus is on mobilizing the power of a supportive community to transform lives. Situated in the most diverse zip code in the country, BGCD fosters strong ties among children and families of different ethnicities, races, countries of origin and income levels.
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At BGCD these differences are embraced. As a long-time Club member and now staffer says, “When you’re here, you belong.” With over 45 years of service and a board and staff reflective of the community, BGCD not only serves Dorchester, we are Dorchester. Our campaign will help ensure that every child and family in Greater Dorchester has access to life-enhancing programs and supports. To understand the impact this has, we invite you to read about a few of the children and adults whose lives are being shaped by the Club.
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Anything is Possible
Nora Baston, Boston Police Superintendent for the Bureau of Community Engagement Long before she took on her new role as Superintendent, Nora Baston had been volunteering with BGCD members in so many ways — playing basketball, teaching boxing, singing karaoke or simply lending an ear.
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We call her a friend, mentor, role model and just plain “Nora.” She is intense, passionate, big-hearted, and has dedicated countless hours to helping kids discover the best in themselves. Several years ago, Nora met a great group of girls at an inclusion basketball clinic at the Club. She formed a very close bond with the girls that continues today. These girls have varying learning differences, but that has never stopped them from playing hard, learning more and becoming the best they can be. Nora has helped them learn about the world and the art of persisting, without ever letting a challenge get in their way. The girls say, “Nora taught us that it’s important to try new things, to go outside your comfort zone. It helps you get better at things and feel confident.” With Nora’s encouragement, the girls have learned to “keep saying to ourselves that we need to be proud of who we are and that whatever we choose to do in
life, we can — we just have to keep on pushing.” Of their mentor, the girls say, “Anything is possible when you are with Nora!” That’s the approach Nora brings to all of her volunteering at BGCD. She provides kids with tools to assist them in school, keep them safe, and expand their horizons. Above all, she never lets them down. As she says, “One thing you can’t do is NOT show up.” Nora learned these lessons well when she attended BGCD, and considers herself a “Club kid.” At a young age she learned how to play basketball at BGCD. Her mother saw the Club as a way to keep her daughter busy and out of trouble. Inside BGCD Nora discovered a game she had a passion for and a natural talent to play well. Nora learned how valuable mentors are in a young person’s life and how much teammates matter when you are working through tough times. The Club is grateful for Nora and everything she does for our members and the City.
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A Safe Place
Matthew and Jason, BGCD members Matthew and his younger brother, Jason, experienced trauma in their early lives. Their mother was absent, their father was incarcerated, and their grandmother was unable to provide for them. So, their aunt, Sam, and her husband stepped up to raise the boys for the foreseeable future, and welcomed them into their home located just up the street from Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester. Matthew loved school at first, but a few weeks in Sam discovered two boys at school were bullying and hurting him. This broke her heart, so she decided to walk down Dorchester Avenue to see if the Club had a solution. “I need to talk to someone about my nephew coming here for afterschool because I don’t know what else to do.” She sat down with Mary Kinsella, VP of Education, who wrapped up the meeting with this, “He’s going to start here on Monday.” 8
Since becoming a member, Matthew has found his place. He comes back every afternoon because he can’t wait to play with his friends, swim in the pool, and jam in the Music Clubhouse. Matthew also appreciates that the Club “is a bully-free zone. I like that it’s a boys and a girls Club. That means all kids can come.” Jason is old enough now to go to afterschool and summer camp sessions at the Club. His aunt observes that the shared experience of the Club has brought the brothers closer together. At the Club, Jason and Matthew feel more like everyone else. The boys worried that their family was “different” — not the typical “mom and dad family.” Now they see that every kind of family exists at BGCD.
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Projecting My Voice Ramatoulaye Bah, BGCD Member Ramatoulaye Bah — who says, “my name is long, so you can just call me Rama,” — was the keynote speaker at the 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester New England Women’s Leadership Awards (NEWLA). She knew this was an important opportunity, and wanted to get it right. “I practiced my speech with loud music on … I wanted to project my voice.” This high school freshman was excited and a bit nervous to tell her story to an audience of 550 guests, yet she overcame this anxiety because the Club equipped her to stand up for herself, even when faced with extreme adversity. A few years ago, Rama’s mother emigrated from Senegal and settled in the Harbor Point neighborhood. Rama’s family is Muslim, which sets them apart. Queenette (Queenie) Santos, Director of BGCD’s Walter Denney Youth Center, recalls the day Rama’s mom walked through the Club’s doors. “She commented on how happy all the children were,” and immediately signed Rama up. Rama quickly settled into the Club and made lots of friends. She tried every activity at the Club. She especially enjoys Homework Club: “I can get my homework done and then have more time at the end of the day.” Yet in fifth grade, life became more challenging for Rama when a clique of girls at school decided that, “I was out. They commented on the color of my skin. They made fun of my name.” But Rama didn’t fall into the trap. From her experience at the Club, she knew that her differences could not only be accepted by others; they could be embraced. Drawing strength from her peers and the supportive adults at the Club, Rama rallied. “When I’m at the Club, stress goes away,” she says. “Everyone is welcome and together.” The bullies learned they couldn’t rattle her. She believes her example ultimately influenced their behavior for the better. Queenie Santos sums Rama up: “Even a quiet girl can be fierce.” 10
The Club is My Family Viet Ta, BGCD Member “ I am the author of my life, and I surround myself with a cast of supporting characters,” declares Viet Ta, Club member and rising high school senior. That sense of self-worth would be noteworthy coming from any teen, but perhaps more so given that Viet moved from Vietnam to Dorchester about ten years ago. The culture here was so different. Learning English was a struggle. Connecting with other kids was a challenge. Then, Viet joined Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester. Homework Club was his early focus. He still remembers his first day, meeting Joel Figueroa, the Club’s Education Director, who ran the homework sessions. “He is a great leader and so understanding,” Viet says. His language and academic skills steadily improved while his confidence still lagged. 12
“The Club is a place where everyone is made to feel welcome. I loved going every day, but struggled a little socially. I wanted to fit in, but needed some guidance.” Club staff plugged Viet into the full range of opportunities, but the biggest turning point was meeting Brendan McDonald, Director of Program Development. Brendan invited Viet to join a fitness program that he ran. Like the Club, the primary tenet of the class was inclusion — come as you are and we will all support each other. The class was equal parts bodybuilding and confidence-building. At the start, Viet admits that he could “barely do one pushup.” But he kept at it, becoming the most committed student in the class. “Pretty soon,” he says, “physical training was the only thing I wanted to do.” In fact, he is looking into pursuing the field in college. Viet does also make time, though, to tutor with the Homework Club. He loves his job, especially talking with Vietnamese families at pick-up time. He adds, “The smiles on the kids’ faces every day really make the work satisfying.” He met his best friend at the Club. He gained a mentor who changed his life. And he has the satisfaction of already playing a similar role for other children. As Viet puts it, “The Club is my family.”
OFD
Brendan McDonald, BGCD Director of Program Development
OFD (Originally From Dorchester) is a real thing, whether you’re eight or eighty. It’s in your DNA. Just ask Brendan McDonald. His grandparents emigrated from Ireland and chose to settle in Dorchester. Little did his grandparents know, their decision has had an immensely positive ripple effect across “the neighborhood.” Brendan joined the Club at age five. He discovered that he loved basketball and was good at it. Mentors at the Club gave him every opportunity to hone his skills. Club play led to four years of high school and college play. But it wasn’t just about the love of the game; Brendan mastered the deeper lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship, earning and paying respect. As a child, Brendan was drawn in by a consistent climate and culture that permeates the Club. “There is something here for every kid —
music, art, sports, cooking. Underneath it all is the very strong sense that ‘when you’re here, you belong.‘” Brendan’s first job as a high school student was at the Club, and he never left. Right after college he joined the Club full-time as a program coordinator, then grew into his role as Director of Program Development. He is an earnest youth development professional and true role model for kids from Dorchester and beyond. Every day he helps young people mature and develop a real sense of self. “Without the Club, I really don’t know where I’d be right now.” So he keeps that top of mind — how encouragement and support can have a huge influence on a kid’s life. He observes that “even the smallest gesture can change a kid’s whole day. A bad day can turn around with a smile.”
The Club: A Friend for Life Alex Reyes, Boston Police Officer, Schools Unit
“ My neighborhood growing up was not safe, but my mom wanted my sister and me to have things to do beyond the backyard, to meet and play with other kids. I don’t know how she knew about the Club, but she had to have been comfortable with it to sign us up,” Alex Reyes says. “I remember thinking, ‘Mommy wouldn’t leave me here unless it was a safe place,’ and that gave me peace.” It also started a life-long connection to the Club. Alex became a bona fide “Club Fiend,” or one of those kids who never wanted to leave at the end of the day. During college he worked as staff on hours built around his class schedule. BGCD values are the same today as when he was eight years old. “Some of our neighborhoods can be rough around the edges. Young people can get written off. But that’s not your story here.” At the Club, all children and teens are given the tools for success, encouraged by smiles, hugs, high-fives and high expectations. “You can feel it. The adults genuinely care. It’s not just words, it’s action,” Alex says.
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Coming full circle, Alex’s daughter attended BGCD’s early education and care program and is currently a member of the Club’s drop-in program. “There was no other place I wanted her to be,” he says. She loves to come to the Club for gymnastics and swimming. Her father is impressed by her social growth. “It is a melting pot here. All races. Girls and boys. All kinds of families. It opens up her eyes.”
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Building a Legacy Ask anyone. BGCD is known as an innovative organization that doesn’t say “no” to the needs of the community. Whatever young people need, we’ll try to find a way to provide it. But facilities that are maxed out eventually have a way of putting a lid on saying “yes.” With nearly 50,000 young people under the age of 18 living within three miles of the Club, now is not the time to surrender to limits enforced by aging buildings.
Building Dorchester’s Future Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is looking to transform how the Club serves Dorchester’s youth and families and surrounding neighborhoods with indoor and outdoor facilities that will foster a new level of community engagement. Over the next few years, in conjunction with the Martin Richard Foundation and with support from friends and donors, BGCD will take the lead in creating a network of vibrant community gathering places that brings Dorchester's diverse families together and serves the ever-expanding needs of its youth population.
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Serving Dorchester for the Next 50 Years Martin Richard Dorchester Clubhouse Indoor field sports facilities are springing up all over the suburbs, but there is no such place accessible to Dorchester youth or to any young people in Boston. Challenging weather and poor field conditions sideline city kids for nearly half the year. The community also has no fully accessible venues for disabled athletes — a barrier that undermines many in pursuing physical fitness and athletic achievement. To meet this need in the city, we will construct a new facility, the Martin Richard Dorchester Clubhouse, an indoor health, wellness and
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collaborative center available to the entire community. This facility will be fully accessible to athletes of all abilities and available to families and seniors throughout Greater Boston. The Martin Richard Dorchester Clubhouse will include: l Design features to support youth with physical or intellectual disabilities l Permanent structure housing indoor turf field for soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, baseball and more l Elevated 3-lane running track l Reception area, locker rooms, function rooms, classrooms
New Boys & Girls Clubs Campus In a second phase of work, we will reconfigure our existing campus. BGCD’s original Club, the Marr Building on Deer Street, opened in 1974. This property is antiquated, costly to run and inefficient to maintain. The McLaughlin Center, located on Dorchester Avenue, shows considerable wear and tear, and we’ve outgrown the space. The new campus will be the hub for Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and will create the opportunity to vastly expand our membership while maintaining high quality Club programs and activities. It will also be a gathering place for parents, volunteers, and neighbors. The state-of-the-art facilities will include: l Early Education and Care
l Observation areas with bleachers
l Art, music and film studios
l Fitness Center
l Teen Center
l Nutrition Center
l Gymnasium and fitness center
l Outdoor space
l Swimming pool with observation areas and bleachers
The Martin Richard Dorchester Clubhouse will unite residents throughout Dorchester and the city beyond by offering first-rate facilities. The entire community will benefit when kids are busy, healthy, safe and connected year-round.
l Learning and technology centers, classrooms and multi-purpose rooms l Café and kitchen for our Healthy Meals Program l Child care center l Parent and staff lounge l Playgrounds and open space l Community meeting space l And much more
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The project will modernize the program spaces and offices. The new campus will have advanced mechanical and electrical systems to support the latest technology and energy conservation standards. The results will realize our goal of providing exceptional facilities for our members and the entire Dorchester community far into the future. They will enable us to make the most of our current programs and give us the flexibility to create new ones. They will provide beautiful, accessible places to bring children, parents and other residents together. Most important, they will demonstrate to our young people how much we value them and believe in their futures.
Operating Reserve Another critical campaign objective is to establish an Operating Reserve Fund to help sustain continuing
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operations and support on-time maintenance of our facilities. This will allow the Club to continue its long tradition of innovating and adapting programs to meet the evolving needs not only of Dorchester’s children and youth, but also of parents and seniors and neighbors.
Beyond Buildings and Fields The vision for Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is far more than new buildings and fields. BGCD is creating a hub of education, recreation, health and community that knits together the diverse populations and cultures represented in our city. The Club values of inclusion, connection, respect, achievement and success, and, of course, fun leave a lasting mark on every child who walks through the door and makes BGCD a second home.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester 1135 Dorchester Avenue • Dorchester, MA 02125 617.288.7120 • https://www.bgcdorchester.org • #WeAreDorchester