(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston recently received a national award from the Boys and Girls Club of America. Called the Gateway to Impact Award, it recognizes the club for its increase in average daily attendance and capacity utilization during the year. The club ranked number one in increased average attendance in the Northeast Region.

Out of the 1,000 Boys and Girls Clubs across 14 states in the Northeast, the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston was one of two clubs in the region to be selected for the national award. According to an East Boston Times article, Father John Nazzaro, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of East Boston, traveled to Princeton, New Jersey on Oct. 29 to receive the award on behalf of the club.

“This is really an honor,” said Fr. Nazzaro in the East Boston Times article. “We really are a small club compared to some of these other clubs in the region that have huge facilities but we were able to double our enrollment over the year to 320 kids in attendance daily.”

“This award belongs to the hard working staff and young people who see the Salesian spirit of reason, religion, kindness and active presence every day,” added Fr. Nazzaro in the article.

The mission of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The organization has been serving youth in East Boston and the neighboring communities of Revere and Winthrop since 1945. The clubhouse provides a space for young people to engage in projects and recreational activities, receive assistance with homework and tutoring and have access to computers and a daily snack. It also serves as a site for neighborhood activities.

The Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston accommodates 320 young people a day in its after-school program which costs $20.00 per child each year, a very minimal fee as compared to similar programs. Serving children ages 6 to 19, the program runs from 2:30 to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The club has more than 1,000 active members.

Through the club’s educational programs, youth learn social and life skills. The Torch Club is a leadership and service club for boys and girls ages 11 to 13 that aims to meet the special character development needs of young adolescents at this critical stage in life. The Keystone Club provides older youth, ages 14 to 18, with leadership development experiences. Members participate in activities in three focus areas including academic success, career preparation and community service. In addition, Salesian staff offer a program that promotes financial responsibility and independence among club members ages 13 to 18. Participants learn how to manage a checking account, create a budget, save and invest, start small businesses and pay for college.

More than 200 young people participated in a summer day camp offered at the Boys and Girls Club last year. Annual fundraising activities such as a breakfast hosted by the club raise money to allow youth who otherwise could not afford the summer programs, to attend.

“We do a lot with the money we get and we have over 40 families that receive scholarships for our program each summer,” said Fr. Nazzaro in the article.

With the addition of new programs and services and a change in location, the Boys and Girls Club of East Boston has been far more successful than in previous years when they were lucky to have 60 to 80 young participants a day. The recent award recognizes the club’s success in attracting and impacting neighborhood youth.

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Sources:

East Boston Times – Salesian Boys and Girls Club Receives a National Award

Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston