East Boston: Volunteerism and Employment at the Club

By Br. Bob Metell, SDB

(East Boston, MA – January 24) – The Salesian Boys & Girls Club offers a wide range of programs and activities that are centered around specific age groups. In previous articles, I have spoken about the younger groups, the “angels,” 5–7-year-olds, and the “pre-teens,” 8-11-year-olds. This week, I would like to spend time with the oldest group, the middle and high school teens.

Throughout his lifetime, Don Bosco would walk around the playground and watch the youngsters intermingle in fun and games. He watched over them with a careful eye and searched for youngsters who possessed leadership skills. While the Club offers many teen activities, leadership development is the key element of the Club’s teen center program. This program takes place in the evening after the younger ones leave.

One of the Club’s centerpiece programs is youth leadership development through volunteerism and employment. Most of the staff were club members themselves and began as volunteers in the Club or during the summer and vacation camp programs, which eventually led to their employment. One of them is our current executive director, Mike Triant. This year, our program director, Mr. Dwayn Simmons, began a leadership training/volunteer program with middle school-aged teens. They also work hard to assist volunteer helpers with the younger club members. For example, Dwayne, Br. Bob, the food service manager, and the kitchen assistant (Damien) began a snack shop that is managed by middle school teens.

In future issues of Salesian News, I will speak more about our great, dedicated staff and administrators.

The Club members, administrators, staff, and support personnel, wish you a great and blessed feast of St. Francis de Sales!