The Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest NEWSLETTER
SAFE SPACE, STRONG LEADERS: FRAMINGHAM TEEN SHINE
HUDSON MEMBER & STAFF SPOTLIGHT
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION: BGCMW ALUMNI RETURNS TO THE CLUBHOUSE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT GALA 2025 RECAP CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS
Our Hudson Clubhouse members got a huge treat recently... a FREE Book Fair!
Thanks to an overwhelming amount of generous book donations, we found ourselves with so many wonderful literary treasures that we decided to let every Club kid pick out their very own books to take home and keep. The excitement in the Clubhouse was contagious as members browsed the selection and carefully chose their new favorite stories.
This special event reinforced the fun and importance of reading, allowing our members to build their personal libraries and continue their learning journey outside of the Clubhouse walls.
Thank you! Your generosity is often what makes unexpected, joyful moments like this possible. Whether through monetary support or donations of items like books, you are helping us provide enriching, inspiring experiences for the youth we serve.
Being a teenager in today's fast-paced world can be challenging. That's why having a safe space to just be yourself to relax, connect, and lead is absolutely essential. We are proud that the Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest provides this crucial environment for our teens!
Recently, the teens at our Framingham Clubhouse enjoyed a fun Spa Night, where they took a moment for self-care, pampering themselves with face masks and manicures. These stress-free, engaging activities are vital for promoting wellness and building bonds among our older members.
We're even more incredibly proud of our Framingham Clubhouse teens who hosted a successful Friday Fun Night a few weeks ago! This amazing event is a testament to their exceptional leadership and commitment to the Club.
Here’s how it works! Our younger members sign up to stay late for an evening packed with games and fun activities. The entire event is planned, organized, and led by the teens themselves and they even organize dinner for everyone! The best part? This successful initiative raises crucial funds that directly support field trips and enrichment activities chosen by the teens.
It’s a true win-win. Our younger members have a blast in a safe, engaging environment, and our teens develop invaluable leadership, organizational, and entrepreneurial skills while funding their own adventures! Your support makes it possible for BGCMW to empower teens not only to manage stress but also to step up as confident leaders in their Club and community.
We love hearing directly from the amazing kids whose lives are impacted by your generosity! This month, we're shining our spotlight on Alice from the Hudson Clubhouse.
Alice has been a dedicated member for two years. When asked what she enjoys most, Alice enthusiastically pointed to playing with friends in the Art Room. Her favorite memory involves hands-on learning, making a STEM marshmallow project!
The Club has been a source of tangible support for Alice, as she shared that it has helped her get extra help with schoolwork Looking ahead, Alice has a clear goal. To read chapter books. She knows exactly how the Club will help her achieve this, stating, "I can go to staff during Power Hour and they can help me."
Alice's favorite Club activity is air hockey, and her best advice for any new member is simple yet crucial: "Don't lose your card!"
Your support ensures that members like Alice have a safe place, caring staff, and dedicated time like Power Hour to turn their goals, like reading chapter books, into reality. Thank you for investing in Alice and all the youth at BGCMW!
We are excited to shine the spotlight on a dedicated staff member from the Hudson Clubhouse, Jennifer Peron!
Jennifer has been working with us for one year, but her connection to the Club goes much deeper. She was a regular member herself throughout elementary and middle school. This personal history is exactly what inspired her to join our team. "I grew up going to the club afterschool," she says.
Jennifer's favorite part of her job is "Getting to help kids with the little things." This commitment to making every member feel seen and supported is evident in her actions. She shared a heartwarming story about making a positive impact by interpreting for our Portuguesespeaking members to help them feel more confident and included in the program.
When asked about the most important quality for a staff member, Jennifer quickly named patience.
Looking ahead, Jennifer hopes to achieve a special connection with the youth, "Be the first staff a kid goes to for help."
Thank you, Jennifer, for bringing your unique perspective and dedication to our Club members!
The Framingham Clubhouse was thrilled to welcome back one of our own successful alumni, Chibuzor Ogbue, CEO of Jerry’s World Productions, and his project, Jerry Fleece, for a truly inspiring visit.
Chibuzor, who currently lives in Los Angeles, took the powerful initiative to gather a group of highly successful young men from the entertainment and media world and bring them back to the Club to inspire the next generation of leaders. The panel generously shared their personal challenges, gave fantastic career advice, and showed our members that great futures truly start right here within the walls of the Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest.
It means the world to our kids to hear from someone who walked the same halls and achieved such success. Their visit provided a crucial realworld connection and proof of concept for the potential within every child we serve.
A massive thank you to Chibuzor and his amazing guest panel for taking the time to invest in our youth:
Armani Branch: Writer, Producer, and former D1 basketball player (Norfolk State & Virginia Military Institute)
Cam Barker: Sports Center Production Coordinator
Deji Johnson: Content Associate at ESPN
Bruce Abreau: Actor and Producer
Your investment, combined with the efforts of inspiring alumni like Chibuzor, ensures our Club members receive not only essential support but also exposure to diverse career paths and powerful mentorship. Thank you for making moments like these possible!
Presented by TJX COMPANIES, INC.
While our 19th Annual Gala & Auction was a phenomenal fundraising success, raising an astounding $140,000, the true highlight of the evening was hearing from our remarkable Youth of the Year, Karlos Sidel.
In an inspiring address, Karlos captivated over 235 guests by sharing his deeply personal connection to the Club, eloquently stating: "The Boys & Girls Club is more than just a place – it’s a second home. I often see kids who are picked up early, begging their parents to stay longer, and I completely understand why. This Club doesn’t just
provide a sense of belonging: it invites you to be part of a family."
Karlos continued, sharing the impact of his experience as a dedicated staff member: "As a staff member, I get to be a leading factor in what makes this Club feel so special. Since stepping into this position, I have developed leadership, communication, and adaptability skills." His words perfectly encapsulate the life-changing mission your support makes possible every day for youth in Framingham, Marlborough, and Hudson.
The Gala also served as a special occasion to celebrate the individuals and organizations who have made remarkable contributions to the Club's mission. The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, laughter, and applause as the award recipients were honored.
The Mass Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs was awarded the Community Partner for Youth Award represented by Jennifer Aldworth. They were honored for serving as the collective voice for all Massachusetts Clubs, securing vital funding and resources for youth statewide.
Yarelis E. Garcia was awarded the Cary Corkin Memorial Award. She was honored for committing exceptional time, talent, and resources as a dedicated Club staff member and through her business's support of the Gala.
Julia Marshall was awarded the Michael C. Sullivan Award. She was recognized as a successful alumni who was inspired by the Club to become a high school guidance counselor and youth mentor.
These achievements were a powerful reminder of the impact a supportive community can have on the lives of young people.
For our members, the Clubs are more than just an option, they are a vital lifeline, offering a safe and positive space where they can grow. The funds raised at the Annual Gala & Auction are already hard at work, supporting programs that provide essential academic help, positive mentorship, and critical opportunities for Club youth every day.
We are deeply grateful to everyone, sponsors, attendees, donors, and staff, who played a part in making this event a resounding achievement. Your generosity is what makes the Boys & Girls Club a "second home" for our members, just as Karlos described.
We had a blast celebrating the city at the first-ever Framingham Fest this year!
It was a beautiful day celebrating everything that makes Framingham special, and our team loved being part of the excitement. Our Framingham program staff attended and proudly set up a table, spending the day connecting with so many families, supporters, and new faces from the community.
These opportunities are vital for us to meet families where they are, share the impact of the Boys & Girls Club, and welcome the next generation of members. We enjoyed discussing our programs and showing everyone how the Framingham Clubhouse is a safe, positive place for youth to learn and grow.
Last month, our team was busy outside the Clubhouse walls, attending a fantastic Health Fair at the Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough!
This event, put together by Youth Connections, drew a great crowd, including nearly 290 local teens. Our dedicated staff were there with a key goal in mind: staff recruitment! We know that the best staff members are often found right here in our community, and we were eager to meet enthusiastic, responsible young adults who might want to become mentors at the Clubs.
Our staff set up a table and quickly drew a crowd with a Club favorite: a very competitive cup stacking game! This lively activity was a great way to engage with the attendees, share information about open positions, and demonstrate the fun and positive environment the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest offers.
We recently held a wood crafting day at our Marlborough Clubhouse, made possible by a major shout-out to The Home Depot team!
Through this engaging, hands-on initiative, our members dove into practical skills by constructing complex models, including boats and helicopters. This kind of experiential learning is vital for demonstrating that science, technology, engineering, and math are not just academic subjects, but are fun, accessible, and applicable in the real world.
The generous support and active involvement of The Home Depot team helped ignite curiosity and build confidence in our youth. We deeply appreciate this valuable partnership, which helps us provide high-quality programming that prepares our youth for future success.
Your continued support, combined with the efforts of partners like The Home Depot, ensures that every child at the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest has access to enriching opportunities that build critical 21st-century skills. Thank you for investing in their future!
Got a heart full of gold and a pocket full of time? We’d love to have you onboard!
www.bgcmetrowest.org/volunteer
Thegeneroussupportofourdonorsiswhat trulyfuelsourprogramsandallowsusto makealastingimpactonthelivesofyoung people.Nomatterthesize,yourdonation makesadifference.
Herearesomewaysyoucancontribute:
MakeaSecureOnlineDonation:Visitour websiteatwwwbgcmetrowestorgto donatequicklyandeasily.
BecomeaMonthlyDonor:Yourongoing supportprovidesadependable foundationforourprograms.
OrganizeaFundraisingEvent:Get creativeandrallyyourcommunityto supportBGCMW.
Ifyou'dprefertodonatespecificitems,please contactourindividualClubsdirectlyto inquireaboutcurrentneeds
Groups who are interested in volunteering can reach out to Laura Terzigni at 508-485-4912 or email laura.terzigni@bgcmetrowest.org.
Volunteering is your VIP pass to giving back to the community while racking up some serious life skills. Join us at one of our Clubs and become a superhero in the lives of MetroWest’s youth! Whether you’re into mentoring, coaching, or just being an all-around awesome helper, there’s a spot for you. If you have a crew or belong to an organization eager to volunteer, contact Laura Terzigni to explore the exciting possibilities! YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR CLUBS BY VISITING THE LINK BELOW OR SCANNING THE QR CODE! WWW.BGCMETROWEST.ORG/DONATE
AtBGCMW,weareincrediblygratefulforthe unwaveringsupportofourdonors Your generosityallowsustocreateasafeand enrichingspacewherekidscanlearn,grow, andthrive
Together, we can make a difference in the livesofcountlesschildren.Donatetodayand helpshapeabrighterfuturefortheyouthof MetroWest!
Great Futures Night is scheduled for June 4, 2026. Be sure to mark your calendars and don’t miss this exciting event! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration and celebration as we honor those who have made a significant impact in our community. The night will feature engaging
The 2026 Annual Gala & Auction is set to take place at a new venue, the Sheraton in Framingham, on October 23, 2026. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on an array of exciting auction items while enjoying a delightful dinner and entertainment. Don't miss out on this chance to be a part of an evening filled with camaraderie, gratitude, and celebration.
Make your gift a lasting investment by setting up a recurring gift. By setting up a gift on a recurring schedule, charitable giving works on your time and within your
