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Club Members Visit Connecticut Capitol Through “Lifting the Law” Program

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:48:29 GMT

Bringing Civic Learning to Life

On February 27, members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford visited the Connecticut State Capitol for an immersive, hands-on learning experience through our Lifting the Law program, in partnership with UConn Law students.

During the visit, they explored the historic 148-year-old Capitol building, gaining a deeper understanding of the legislative process and the role government plays in shaping their communities. The guided tour brought learning to life as members stepped inside the House of Representatives Chamber and the Senate chamber, spaces where state leaders gather to debate and make decisions that impact residents across Connecticut.

Members had the opportunity to sit in the same seats used by legislators, ask thoughtful questions during a Q&A session in the House Chamber, and engage directly with the environment where laws are created. One memorable highlight included seeing (and even sitting in) a unique chair crafted from the historic Charter Oak, a powerful symbol of Connecticut’s heritage.

Beyond the history and architecture, the experience left a lasting impression on the youth in attendance. As one Club member reflected while standing beneath the Capitol’s striking dome ceiling, “I actually feel like my dreams are coming true.”

Programs like Lifting the Law are designed to expose young people to new environments, career pathways, and opportunities for civic engagement. By connecting youth with real-world experiences and mentors in the legal field, the program helps build confidence, spark curiosity, and encourage members to envision themselves in spaces of leadership and influence.

Through opportunities like this, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford continues to empower young people to explore their potential and pursue bright futures.

Youth of the Year Night 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:16:00 GMT

The Courage to Lead: Youth of the Year 2026

Each year, Youth of the Year stands as the most prestigious honor a Club member can achieve within the Boys & Girls Clubs of America movement. More than a competition, it is a celebration of character, service, academic success, and leadership — and a powerful reminder of what is possible when young people are surrounded by opportunity and belief.

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, this year’s Youth of the Year event brought together Club leaders, community partners, alumni, families, and staff to witness something extraordinary: young people courageously sharing their stories.

Sharing Their Stories with Courage

Finalists stepped before a distinguished panel of community leaders and advocates to deliver speeches and respond to interviews. They spoke candidly about adversity, growth, mentorship, and the role the Club played in helping them discover their voice and potential. They shared stories of overcoming personal challenges, balancing school and family responsibilities, and finding a safe space where they felt seen, supported, and empowered. Their words reflected maturity beyond their years — and a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with the Youth of the Year title.

As one panelist reflected afterward:

“What makes Youth of the Year so powerful is not just what these young people have achieved, but who they have become.”

The room was filled with pride, hope, and possibility.

A Legacy of Leadership

We were especially honored to welcome former Youth of the Year alumni who returned to support and encourage this year’s candidates. Their presence reinforced that Youth of the Year is not simply a title awarded for one evening — it is the beginning of a lifelong connection to leadership, advocacy, and impact.

The program represents the very best of what happens inside our Clubs every day. It reflects the mentors who guide, the staff who believe, the families who support, and the community that invests in young people.

Celebrating Our 2026 Honorees

We are proud to recognize this year’s winners:

Youth of the Year : Tiarra

Tiarra exemplifies poise, purpose, and the heart of a leader. Her voice, vision, and commitment to lifting others up embody what Youth of the Year represents.

“The Boys & Girls Club has been a staple in my life. They are a safe haven — not only for me, but for so many children around me. Now, this is my opportunity to step forward and advocate for children.”

Jr. Youth of the Year: Axel

Axel demonstrates confidence, growth, and emerging leadership — a powerful reminder that leadership development begins early when young people are nurtured in a supportive environment.

“I've been here for four years, and it has shown me how to be a leader, how to treat others, and much more that I'm very grateful for. I can't even explain how happy I am to be part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford.

Emani the 2025 Connecticut Youth of the Year winner, was also in attendance to witness the night and pass the torch.

“This entire experience has changed my life for the better. It helped me figure out what I want to do in the future — give back to my community the same way it has given to me. I'm grateful for this opportunity and honored to pass the torch.”

Together, these young leaders represent the strength, resilience, and promise of Hartford’s next generation.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the panelists, mentors, families, and community members who continue to invest in our youth and our mission.

Because when young people are given a stage, a voice, and belief in their potential — they lead.

Black History Month at BGCH: Honoring Legacy, Elevating Voice

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:48:23 GMT

Black History Month is more than a time of reflection. It is a time to honor achievement, amplify legacy, and recognize the enduring impact of Black leaders whose resilience, innovation, and excellence continue to shape our nation.

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, this recognition is deeply personal. Many of the youth and families we serve see their own stories reflected in the legacy of those who came before them. Creating spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and empowered is not an annual observance — it is central to who we are.

A Night of Culture, Confidence, and Community

On February 19, that commitment came vividly to life at our Southwest Club during an unforgettable Black History Month Family Night.

From the moment guests entered, they were guided through a thoughtfully curated journey led by our teens. The Club was transformed into a vibrant, interactive gallery celebrating Black excellence across generations.

Members proudly presented hands-on projects highlighting influential figures and pivotal moments in history, including Black Wall Street, Garrett Morgan’s invention of the traffic light, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Alma Thomas, and Kobe Bryant.

Younger members stood beside their artwork explaining the significance behind their projects with clarity and pride. Teens performed an original spoken word piece during their “Poetry 2 Hip Hop” showcase — a powerful fusion of history, identity, and self-expression.

A moving Wall of Honor celebrated leaders and community impact, while members distributed flowers as symbols of appreciation for Black excellence — including recognition of our own Black BGCH staff members.

More Than a Showcase

The evening was not simply a presentation. It was the culmination of a month of meaningful learning, creativity, and reflection.

Families engaged directly with youth presenters — asking questions, listening, and celebrating their growth. Staff beamed with pride as young people stood confidently beside their work, speaking with knowledge and ownership.

Events like this create core memories. They affirm identity. They build confidence. They strengthen family engagement. Most importantly, they reinforce the Club as a place where culture is celebrated and youth voice is elevated.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Black History Month was not simply observed.

It was lived.

It was honored.

It was joyfully shared.

From a Quiet Voice to a Standing Ovation: Meet the Girl Who Captured Every Heart in the Room

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:55:08 GMT

Her voice moved a room to tears. Your support makes moments like this possible.

Briza pictured with her mother, sister, and members of our Champion of Girls sponsor, Hartford Hospital, who eagerly waited to meet her and offer their support in helping her reach her dream of becoming a nurse and phlebotomist.

When Briza walked onstage at this year’s Dashaway Luncheon, she didn’t open with statistics or a slogan. She opened an envelope. Inside was a letter—written not to the audience, but to the next young girl who will walk through the doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford.

“Dear Young Girl,” she began, her voice steady but soft, “you might be walking through those doors for the very first time—unsure, quiet, wondering if you’ll fit in. You might be carrying worries no one else can see. I know that feeling—because I was you.”

The ballroom grew completely still. What followed was less a speech than a love letter—to belonging, to mentorship, to the kind of everyday compassion that changes the direction of a life. Briza shared how the Club became her second home: the warmth of Ms. Lulu’s smile on her first day, Ms. Brenda’s wisdom—“don’t shrink yourself to make other people comfortable”—and Coach RJ’s belief in her before she believed in herself. “The Club wraps you in love before you even realize you needed it,” she said, smiling through tears.

Her story was also a tribute to her mother, who came to this country with nothing but determination and a dream she set aside so her daughters could have more. “She wanted to become a nurse,” Briza said. “So when I say I will become a nurse, it’s not just for me—it’s for her.” Her goal now is to study at UConn, become a registered nurse, and one day open a clinic that provides affordable, compassionate care for families who need it most.

By the time she folded the letter and sealed it again, the entire room was on its feet. Briza closed with words that still echo: “You belong here. You are seen here. You are loved here. Great futures start with her—but they begin because of you.”

Briza’s courage captured the heart of what our Clubs do every day. With guidance from caring mentors, girls discover their voices, their confidence, and the power to shape their futures. Programs like SMART Girls make moments like this possible—but only because of the community members who choose to believe, give, and lead with love.

Because of you, another girl will walk through our doors, feel that same warmth, and begin her own story of transformation. Help us keep that promise alive.

Great futures start with her—with love.

Give Today → https://cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/25dashaway/donate

Scary Good Fun for a Great Cause: 2025 Donny’s Dash Brings Greater Hartford Together

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:28:53 GMT

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford President & CEO Bruce Jeffery joins UConn legend Donny Marshall, BGCH staff, and Club Kids at the start of the 2025 Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. Over 400 runners, including 80 Club Kids, participated in this community event in support of Great Futures. Photo courtesy of Boys & Girls

Clubs of Hartford.

Over 400 runners and 80 youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford laced up their sneakers today for the 2025 Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run, held at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.

The event brought together families, community partners, and corporate supporters for a day filled with fitness, fun, and philanthropy—all in support of opening doors to Great Futures for Hartford youth.

Among the runners were more than 80 Club Kids r epresenting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, who ran with pride, excitement, and that signature Club energy. Their enthusiasm captured the true spirit of the event—creating opportunities where young people can grow, thrive, and dream big.

The celebration featured appearances by Donny Marshall, UConn basketball legend and BGCH Board Member, Morgan Tuck, General Manager of the CT Sun, and Bruce Jeffery, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford.

"We are incredibly proud to see our community come together to support our Club kids," said Jeffery. "Every mile run today represents a step toward brighter futures for the kids we serve every day."

All proceeds from Donny's Dash directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, providing local youth with access to safe spaces, positive mentorship, and programs focused on academic success, character & leadership, wellness and life & workforce readiness.

Great Futures Start With Her — Introducing Our 2025 SMART Girls of the Year

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:49:36 GMT

Together, we’re building great futures—one SMART Girl at a time.

The 2025 SMART Girls Celebration Night was filled with pride and inspiration as families, friends, and community members gathered to honor eight remarkable young women representing their Boys & Girls Clubs.

Our SMART Girl finalists—Jamiya (Samuel S. Gray, Jr. at Asylum Hill), Saa’Leesah (Trinity College), and Briza (Southwest)—and Junior SMART Girl finalists—Jilani (Samuel S. Gray, Jr. at Asylum Hill), Jasmine (JDL Northwest), Aliannis (Trinity College), Isabella (Southwest), and Skiilynn (Southwest)—shared their stories with confidence, honesty, and heart.

We were moved by their heartfelt answers to the panelists’ questions—moments that revealed not just their individual strength, but the lasting impact of programs like SMART Girls at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. The girls spoke with confidence, swagger, and poise, leaving the judges speechless and inspired.

Our gratitude goes to the outstanding panelists—Ana Alfaro, Kristina Baldwin, Charlesa Ceres, Evelyn Johnson, Kelly Papa, Laura Sullivan, and Pauline Williams—for bringing mentorship to life. Their encouragement showed how positive adult relationships can open doors and shape futures.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:
SMART Girl of the Year: Briza (Southwest Club)
Jr. SMART Girl of the Year: Jasmine (JDL Northwest Club)

Their confidence, courage, and compassion are proof that great futures don’t just start here—they grow here, with love.

Hartford needs Club kids. Club kids need you.

Join us at the Dashaway Luncheon on November 14, 2025 to continue celebrating our SMART Girls and the mentors who lift them up.

Host a table or get your tickets today: bgchartford.org/events

Partner Spotlight: Cigna and the Power of Self-Love

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:20:08 GMT

When caring adults show up, confidence grows. Thank you to Cigna for helping our SMART Girls learn the power of self-love and self-expression. #ClubKids #GreatFutures

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, teaching our girls to love themselves isn’t just a lesson — it’s a lifelong skill. This month, our JDL Northwest SMART Girls experienced that firsthand thanks to our friends at Cigna, who joined the Club for a special Social Emotional Learning (SEL) workshop centered on self-expression, confidence, and care.

The day began with laughter and lighthearted “show-and-tells” as the girls shared stories about their favorite outfits and what makes them feel most confident. What started as funny, candid moments soon evolved into meaningful conversations about self-image, identity, and the importance of taking time to de-stress from school and life through journaling and mindfulness.

Through guided discussions and reflection activities, the girls built trust, learned to name their emotions, and discovered how positive self-talk can shape the way they see themselves and others. The session reminded everyone in the room — girls and mentors alike — that confidence grows strongest in spaces where care and connection come first.

Meanwhile, our SMART Girls at the Southwest Club took self-care to the next level by creating beautiful mood boards filled with affirmations, uplifting words, and images that represent their dreams and personal power. Led by Club staff, the project encouraged girls to visualize the kind of women they want to become — confident, kind, and unstoppable.

It was so powerful to see the girls open up and express themselves freely. Each walked away not only with a creative project in hand, but also with a renewed sense of confidence and pride.

The event was made possible through the support of Cigna volunteers, whose presence modeled what it means to be caring, consistent adults in young people’s lives.

“When corporate partners like Cigna step into our Clubs, they’re not just volunteering — they’re helping open doors to Great Futures,” said Misty Amerena, Director of Corporate Engagement at BGCH. “Our girls gain role models who listen, encourage, and remind them that their voices matter.”

Moments like these show why social-emotional learning is essential in shaping strong, confident young women. Through programs like SMART Girls — and partners who share our commitment — the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford continue to create safe, empowering spaces where every girl learns that the most important relationship she’ll ever build is the one with herself.

Hartford needs Club kids. Club kids need you.
Learn how you or your company can make an impact: bgchartford.org/get-involved

Hartford Community Gathers to Announce 2025 “Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run”

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:37:34 GMT

Miles of Smiles: Where Fitness Meets Fun and Community

On Wednesday, October 15, at noon, the Hartford community came together at Hartford City Hall to officially announce the 2025 “Donny’s Dash” 5K, set to take place on Saturday, October 25 at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.

The announcement featured a dynamic lineup of local leaders and sports legends, including Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, UConn basketball legend and BGCH Board Member Donny Marshall, Morgan Tuck, General Manager of the CT Sun, Tim Restall, President of the Hartford Yard Goats, Bruce Jeffery, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Josh Miller, President of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, and of course, the beloved mascots Blaze, Chompers & Chew Chew, Louis the Alligator, and Miles.

Adding a playful twist to the announcement, the mascots challenged Mayor Arulampalam to a special 10-yard “Mascot Marathon”, setting the tone for this year’s Halloween-themed “Scary Good Fall Run”. The mascots brought energy, laughter, and excitement, perfectly embodying the fun and community spirit of the event.

All proceeds from Donny’s Dash will directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, helping local youth access safe spaces, mentorship, and programs that encourage learning, leadership, and growth. This event exemplifies how sports, community, and local organizations can come together to create meaningful impact for Hartford kids.

The 2025 Donny’s Dash promises not only a fun and festive run but also an opportunity to support the future of Hartford youth. Registration is open now, and participants are encouraged to join the community for a day of fitness, fun, and giving back.

For more information or to register, visit: Donny’s Dash Registration

Honoring Marjorie Morrissey: A Legacy of Grace and Giving

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:31:04 GMT

Celebrating a Life of Impact, Inspiration, and Opportunities for Hartford’s Club Kids

Our community came together to celebrate a woman whose kindness, vision, and generosity continue to open doors for Hartford’s Club Kids.

On Friday, October 3, 2025, we had the privilege of honoring someone whose presence lights up every room—celebrated for her grace, radiant smile, and an energy that brings people together. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow supporters, Marjorie Morrissey was celebrated for her remarkable generosity and unwavering commitment to Hartford’s youth.

The dedication of the Game Room at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill in Marjorie’s honor reflects her belief in the power of spaces where children can connect, grow, and thrive. Often the heart of the Club, the Game Room is where laughter echoes, friendships blossom, and young people build the skills and confidence that carry them far beyond these walls.

Reflecting on the evening, Bruce Jeffery, BGCH President and CEO, shared:

"The Game Room has always been the heart of the Club—a place where laughter echoes, friendships form, and confidence quietly grows. Naming this space for Marjorie Morrissey ensures that her legacy of love and generosity will continue to inspire every child who walks through our doors. Marjorie’s philanthropy is more than a gift—it is a legacy. A legacy of opportunity, hope, and open doors for Hartford’s youth to step into brighter futures."

What a magnificent way to honor a woman who continues to inspire us all.

Music, Mentors, and Moments That Last

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:25:35 GMT

Sometimes the most powerful lessons don’t happen in a classroom — they happen on stage.

At this year’s Michael Simmons Musical Festival , our Club kids from the Michael E. Simmons Acoustic Guitar Program traded screens for strings, stepping into the spotlight alongside world-class musicians. With guidance from instructors at the Hartt School of Music Community Division, they’ve been learning not just how to play, but how to express themselves, take risks, and discover the joy of creating something real with their own hands.

Watching them perform was a reminder of what’s at the heart of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford: opening doors. Every time a young person walks through our Blue Door, they enter a space filled with opportunities to grow, imagine, and lead. And when our community comes together — families, partners, mentors — those doors open even wider.

We’re grateful to the Simmons family, Friends of Michael festival organizers, and all of our partners for making moments like this possible. Our recitals are open to the public and we invite you to join us for the next one! Because Hartford needs Club kids. And Club kids need you.

Help us keep opening doors to creativity, confidence, and great futures: https://www.bgchartford.org/be-a-partner

Opening Doors: The 37th Annual U.S. Bank Golf Classic

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:29:18 GMT

Celebrating community, sponsors, and unforgettable moments that invest in Hartford’s Club kids.

On September 8, 2025, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford hosted the 37th Annual U.S. Bank Golf Classic at Tumble Brook Country Club. What began nearly four decades ago as a way to unite the community through golf has grown into one of the Club’s signature events, raising vital funds to support Hartford’s Club kids. This year’s Classic carried that tradition forward with excitement, generosity, and impact.

Guests enjoyed a day on the green and heard from 11-year-old Kalel, a member of our Southwest Club, whose story embodies the heart of our mission. Through the First Tee golf program, Kalel has gained resilience, confidence, and the joy of trying new things. Speaking to over 125 guests, he reminded everyone why this event matters: supporting the Golf Classic is an investment in Club kids and their futures.

Thanks to our volunteers, the Development Team led by Tomeka Cole, and generous community partners, the event ran seamlessly. From check-in to the final toast at sunset, the day reflected the energy and dedication it takes to keep the Club doors open for Hartford youth. With the support of sponsors and guests, Club kids will continue to access mentors, programs, and opportunities that help them learn, grow, and thrive.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, we believe Hartford needs Club kids—and Club kids need you. Every day we open our doors, we invest in the leaders of tomorrow, providing safe spaces, caring mentors, and life-changing opportunities.

We are deeply grateful to U.S. Bank, our Executive Title Sponsor, for their continued commitment to building great futures, and to all our generous sponsors whose partnership makes this event possible. Together, we ensure Hartford’s Club kids have the support they need to succeed.

Thank you to our 2025 U.S. Bank Golf Classic Sponsors:

Alan Krezco
Assured Partners
Bank of America – Merrill Lynch
Bank of America – Private Bank
Bartlett Brainard Eacott
BNY Mellon Treasury Services

B.T. Lindsay
Citi
CompuMail
Connecticut Wealth Management
ECHO Health
Empire Industries
Ernst & Young
Eversource
Grant Thornton
JCJ Architecture
KPMG
Marzano Plumbing & Heating
May, Bonee & Clark
New England Asset Management
PIMCO
Ping Hsieh
PNC Bank
Ridgeline Financial Partners
Robert Half
Talcott Financial Group
The Cigna Group
Tzedakah House
UnitedHealth Group Treasury
UnitedHealthcare
US Bank
Wells Fargo

Because of you, more doors are opening. More kids are discovering their potential. And Hartford’s future is brighter.

Rolling with Support: How Positive Adults and Bikes Empower Hartford Youth

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 20:13:05 GMT

Bikes, cheers, and positive role models: Helping Club kids get moving and inspired.

More than 200 employees from The Cigna Group gathered at the company’s Bloomfield headquarters this week to build bicycles for local youth to ‘Gear Up for Good,’ an initiative that aims to engage young people through biking as a path toward better health. Following the bike build, employees cheered on cyclists participating in the Achilles International 500-mile bike relay, along with company leaders as they biked to the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill to celebrate the donation and honor the community.

“Giving back is part of our DNA at The Cigna Group. Seeing so many of our colleagues come together to cheer on the inspiring cyclists of Achilles International and build bikes for Hartford youth was incredibly powerful - especially as a former Club kid myself,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “In a world that’s always online, helping kids unplug and build real-world connections through biking is a meaningful way to support their physical health and emotional well-being.”

During the celebration, The Cigna Group’s chairman and chief executive officer, David M. Cordani, offered brief remarks before the teens were presented with the new bikes, along with helmets and water bottles. In addition to The Cigna Group’s donation, The David & Sherry Cordani Family Foundation furthered the impact by donating additional bikes and helmets.

“With 175 new bicycles for our local Harford Clubs, we can help our teens and kids be their best selves at school, home and in the community,” said Tomeka Cole, vice president of development and communications, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. “But today’s celebration goes far beyond bikes. It’s about investing in the bright, promising future of Hartford’s youth. We’re grateful to The Cigna Group and The David and Sherry Cordani Family Foundation for ensuring that every Club kid who needs a bike will have one.”

The Cigna Group has a broader partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America through its philanthropic entity, The Cigna Group Foundation, which provides grant funding to help expand work with local Clubs to train staff on how to identify the signs and symptoms of youth in distress, and become trauma-informed in their policies, practices, and programs, and expand the use of its successful Behavioral Support Toolkit to all Clubs.

Paving the Way to Safer Futures: National Night Out at Asylum Hill

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:42:31 GMT

Celebrating Community, Safety, and Togetherness

On August 5, our Club kids, families, and neighbors came together for a night that was about more than safety—it was about hope, connection, and brighter futures. At this year’s National Night Out at the Samuel S. Gray Jr. Club at Asylum Hill, we proudly kicked off the renovation of our parking lot, thanks to the generosity of LAZ Parking and the LAZ Charitable Foundation, our 2026 Champion of Youth. What began that evening has now been completed—creating a safer, smoother, and more welcoming experience for families each day.

The night opened with words of encouragement from Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, BGCH Board President Annie Hildreth, and Michael Kuziak, reminding us that when a community stands together, anything is possible.

BGCH President & CEO Bruce Jeffery captured it best: “We’re not just cutting a ribbon—we’re opening the door to safer experiences for our kids, their families, and our entire community.”

From the volunteer firefighters and retired Assistant Fire Chief Billy Smith representing CERT, to the music, food, and smiling faces of families, the event was filled with gratitude and joy. Together, we celebrated the power of partnerships and the simple truth that when our kids are safe, their futures shine brighter.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford and LAZ Parking Unite to Make Safety a Priority at National Night Out

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:12:23 GMT

Event to spotlight safety and community partnerships.

On Tuesday, August 5, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford will celebrate more than just National Night Out—we'll celebrate safety, community, and the power of partnerships.

BGCH is hosting a free, family-friendly event. It kicks off at 4:30 PM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling a transformative improvement: a completely renovated parking lot at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill on Sigourney Street. This is more than fresh pavement—it’s peace of mind. For years, traffic congestion and safety concerns during drop-off and pick-up created challenges for families. Thanks to the incredible generosity and vision of LAZ Parking, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s 2026 Champion of Youth, those challenges are now a thing of the past.

“We’re not just cutting a ribbon today—we’re opening the door to safer experiences for our kids, their families, and our entire community,” said Tomeka Cole, Vice President of Development & Communication for Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. “We’re deeply grateful to LAZ Parking for stepping up in such a meaningful way.”

LAZ Parking didn’t just fund this project—they solved a real problem, creating a safer, more efficient environment where children can start and end their Club experience on a positive note. Their investment speaks volumes about their commitment to Hartford’s future.

The ceremony will feature remarks from Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford leadership, LAZ Charitable Foundation, Executive Director Ralph Caldin, and invited dignitaries and supporters.

Following the ribbon-cutting, the celebration continues from 5 PM to 7 PM with a vibrant community gathering filled with fun for all ages—music, food, activities, and local vendors. It’s an evening designed to strengthen the ties that make neighborhoods thrive.

National Night Out is a nationwide movement promoting community and police partnerships that foster trust, safety, and unity. Here in Hartford, thanks to LAZ Parking and our community partners, we’re taking that mission to heart.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend! Join us in celebrating safety, connection, and the spirit of community.

Fleet Feet Donates New Shoes to Club Teens, Tweens

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:35:38 GMT

Shoes Will Help Club Members Put Their Best Foot Forward Ahead of Donny’s Dash 5K

Great Futures and Great Steps start at Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, and they start with the kindness and generosity of our community partners.

Just in time for the heart of summer, Fleet Feet Hartford , located in West Hartford, donated 85 pairs of brand-new Nike sneakers to teens and tweens at Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. This generous donation, worth more than $13,000, will ensure kids have shoes that not only fit well but are in style and demand for the summer.

“I was psyched to see how excited the boys and girls at the Club were,” said Fleet Feet Hartford owner David Jacobs after dropping off the shoes at the South End Club on July 8. “I was hoping seeing the Nike swoosh would get them pumped up and it did!”

Jacobs and Fleet Feet Hartford have been long-standing supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford and have donated running shoes to members in the past. This year, however, Jacobs wanted to up the ante.

He began working with his contacts at Nike in October to secure shoes that teens would be excited to wear.

“Jordan Taylor and Zach Rivers at Nike really advocated for this to happen and did a lot of internal lifting,” Jacobs said. As a result of this hard work and tenacity, Nike donated 60 pairs of shoes.

But that wasn’t enough for Jacobs.

“We determined 60 pairs just wasn’t enough and decided we wanted to step up financially. With time running short to get them to the kids before summer, we worked with one of Nike’s Run Specialty procurement leads, Amanda Hirschfield, to purchase 25 pairs of the very popular Nike Vomero shoes. They got them to the store within a week and a half,” Jacobs said.

The timing of the shoes’ arrival is perfect, not only for the active summer season, but for members training and preparing to run in the annual Donny’s Dash 5K this October.

The 2025 Donny’s Dash has a new pre-Halloween date promising a “scary good fall run!” Costumes are welcomed at the USA Certified-5K run and walk on October 25. The main race begins at 9am at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center and is professionally managed by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. It will be followed by the Connecticut Sun Kids’ Fun Run, post-race awards, food, fun and music. Achilles International is also participating to support adaptive athletes.

Registration for Donny’s Dash is now open. Community members interested in volunteering instead of racing can sign up here.

New Message, Same Mission

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:29:49 GMT

Clubs "Go Blue" to Raise Awareness of Value and Importance of Club Kids

America needs Club kids. Connecticut needs Club kids. Hartford needs Club kids. Club kids represent the best of our country. They are resilient, creative, compassionate and prepared for the future. But Club kids need support. Club kids need you.

This is the central message behind Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s new messaging campaign: Greater Hartford Needs Club Kids. Club Kids Need You. We’re opening the door for kids and teens because when kids have Clubs, our future is in good hands.

To celebrate, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford turned blue on July 1. Clubs were decorated in blue, members and staff wore blue and the day was filled with blue-themed treats and activities. In addition, community partners including Bank of America, Comcast and New England Asset Management shared their support and their decision to “go blue for Club kids” on social media.

Support for Club kids is needed now more than ever. Nationwide, 1 in 2 kids don’t have access to after school programs and 1 in 7 are left alone after school. But, when a community has a Boys & Girls Club, parents and caregivers can work and support their families with the peace of mind that comes with knowing their kids are safe and supported in a place where they are learning, growing and building the skills they need for a great future.

At a time when our nation faces challenges in education, mental health, workforce readiness and belonging – Clubs are the answer. They’re not only providing safe spaces, caring mentors and healthy meals, but are also creating belonging, belief and possibility. In a Club, kids are learning to code, to serve, to advocate and to dream big. They are becoming the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow and building the futures we all need.

Go Blue for Club Kids Day was about showing the potential and opportunity in Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford and the importance of keeping the doors open for all young people, especially those who need it the most.

Connecticut’s Youth of the Year Honored at State Capitol

Fri, 23 May 2025 01:02:01 GMT

Youth of the Year from across the state meet Governor, Lawmakers

Amongst the hallowed halls of Connecticut’s state capitol on Wednesday there was a sign of a bright future for the Constitution State. The state Youth of the Year candidates were honored by leaders and lawmakers for their accomplishments. The young people included Connecticut Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s own, Emani L. and her peers from Clubs across the state.

The group began the day by meeting with Secretary of the State, Stephanie Thomas. The secretary spoke about the importance of civics and voting while answering questions from the Youth of the Year.

Next, they were introduced on the floor of the Connecticut State Senate. Senator James Maroney read a proclamation before they gathered for a photo on the senate floor. Sen. Tony Hwang took a moment to network with Emani and a few of her fellow Youth of the Year, including taking a photo in his senate seat.

After the Senate, the group was off to the Governor’s office where they met with Governor Ned Lamont and posed for a photo op. The Governor took some time to hear about the Youth of the Year program from the young leaders themselves and to discuss the importance of after school programs, including Boys & Girls Clubs.

With the State House in session, the Youth of the Year had the opportunity to observe as lawmakers debated a contentious bill. They interacted with representatives while lawmakers discussed laws that could shape Connecticut’s future.

The evening concluded with a reception at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill where Connecticut’s leaders of tomorrow could remark on a day watching today’s leaders in action.

We Know We Can Always Come Home

Thu, 08 May 2025 14:18:17 GMT

Alum Relies on Club Connections

Wherever life’s road leads, there’s comfort in knowing you can always come home. Many Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford alumni say no matter where their life takes them, they know they can always come home to Hartford.

With the renovation and reopening of the Joseph D. Lapenta Northwest Boys & Girls Club, many are making the trip back to see the changes. One of those alumni is Isaiah Graham.

On his tour of the Club, he marveled at the open windows where there was once only brick. He smiled at the members gathered in the space overlooking the gym instead of huddling on the stairs in the doorway to watch basketball. But the thing that impressed him most was the number of drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations located throughout the building. “We used to count to five and that’s how long you got to drink, there were so many kids waiting,” he recalled with a chuckle.

Graham started at the JDL Northwest Club in the mid-90s when he was 5 years old. He said, growing up on Granby Street, the Club was a landmark and kids would stream down the hill from Mark Twain Elementary after school.

“The Club was a home away from home. I was lucky to have both parents at home, but the Club really filled the time between school and home. That’s when it had the biggest impact,” he said.

He was a member of the Club until he graduated high school and then worked at several Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford locations in the summers during college. Now, he’s a manager at Voya. He credits much of his success to his time at the Boys & Girls Club.

“I was the JDL Northwest Youth of the Year and on judging night I met Lisa Boyle from Robinson+Cole. She was able to connect me with an internship at Robinson+Cole the summer after I graduated high school,” Graham said. “I’m still in contact with Lisa today. I know I can always reach out to her for advice or help.”

Graham says that’s the most powerful thing the Club gave him – the ability to ask questions, advocate for himself and make connections.

“I’m always proud to say I’m a Club kid. Whether it’s at work or networking events, I tell everyone the Club made me who I am,” he said. “The Club gives you connections beyond your hometown. I’m in Georgia now and I know that I could always reach out and get connected to the Club network here. Wherever I go, the Club will be with me.”

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of Be Greater Magazine. To read the full issue, click below.

Canine Comforter

Thu, 08 May 2025 14:14:47 GMT

Team Cinder Therapy Dog Program Helps BGCH Youth

It’s Monday afternoon and a group of teenagers is gathered at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill. Some have arrived 15 minutes early, too excited for their weekly therapy session to wait. Getting teens to come to therapy, let alone be enthused about it, may seem like a tall order, but Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s resident therapist is up to the task.

She walks in, one paw in front of the other, her tail slapping the door on the way in, before flopping to the floor and rolling on her back for a belly rub. She’s Cinder, the canine half of therapy dog duo, Team Cinder.

Cinder and her handler Lisa Levin are part of an expanded program teaching social and emotional skills aimed at improving young people’s mental health. It’s one other way Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford is committed to making mental health a priority.

Levin says when she retired as an attorney for The Hartford she wanted to give back to her community. “It was important to me for this chapter to include having a connection with kids,” she said.

She joined Cold Noses, Warm Hearts, a nonprofit that trains and certifies therapy dogs. After a nine-month training program, Team Cinder was ready to begin offering comfort and compassion. One day while on a school visit, Levin passed the Boys & Girls Club and reached out, thinking it could be a great opportunity for them. She connected with Assistant Program Director Anthony Daddona, who along with DCF (Department of Children and Families) Case Manager Sarah Gunn, established the Team Cinder program.

"Cinder's healing and comfort powers are profound."

Sarah Gunn created a six-week curriculum which focuses on communication, hygiene & wellness, healthy habits, reading, and art, using the dog as a model. Each lesson also includes social and emotional skills and coping mechanisms. But the kids participating are only focused on Cinder.

“A lot of people are skeptical or resistant to therapy. But a dog doesn’t ask questions. It’s not as clinical. She can sense you’re upset and is there to comfort,” Gunn, a licensed master social worker, said. “Cinder’s healing and comfort powers are profound. I’m in awe when I see her interact with a child,” Levin said.

Cinder’s success stories grow with each visit. One particularly shy and introverted Club member smiled for the first time while interacting with Cinder and began to open up with his peers.

“I’ve found that many times I know a kid is dealing with something, but they don’t want to talk to me about it. But when Cinder is there, they can relax and be present. It’s a chance to escape what’s bothering them for a bit,” Gunn said.

"A dog doesn't ask questions, she's just there to comfort."

“Over the weeks I’ve watched this little group bond, with Cinder and with each other,” Levin said. “There are lots of hugs. The kids like to talk to her. Many are comforted by feeling and petting her ears. She will nuzzle them to ask for more pets or roll over for a belly rub. It’s a powerful experience to bring Cinder and watch the kids interact with her.”

Cinder’s visits are also teaching responsibility. The kids who participate take an active interest in Cinder’s well-being, ensuring her harness and leash are secure before she leaves the Club and that she’s eating healthy. They’re also interested in learning about Cinder, like what colors she can see or how she can tell when they are feeling down.

“They want to be with her. They’re willing to do anything to stay with Cinder,” Gunn says. “It’s a great opportunity to work on behavior and responsibility.”

Team Cinder comes weekly to the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill and has participated in programs at the Trinity College Club, but Gunn says in the fall they hope to expand the program to the other Club sites.

“Team Cinder gives them a safe space and a reason to come to the Club,” she said. “Some kids can’t help but be pessimistic about some of the things they’re dealing with, but with Cinder it’s different. She makes everything brighter.”

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of Be Greater Magazine. Click below to read the full issue.

Making Mental Health a Priority

Wed, 07 May 2025 14:41:14 GMT

The Cigna Group Partnership Offers Support, Resources for Club Teens & Tweens

On average, 1 in every 5 youth deal with a mental health issue. Connecticut’s statistics are right in line with the national picture, but there is one place our state stands out. According to Mental Health America, Connecticut has the second lowest prevalence of youth mental illness and the second highest rate of access to care for youth. This is, in part, due to programs offered by Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH) and our community partners at The Cigna Group.

After the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues, including isolation and loneliness, BGCH made a commitment to provide mental health resources and help young people manage their emotions and build resiliency as part of our Health & Wellness pillar.

This mission has been made easier by partners at The Cigna Group. The Bloomfield, Conn. based insurer says they, too, recognized the need for resources to improve the health of youth, particularly post-pandemic stress and distress. Through The Cigna Group Foundation, they set specific goals to grow programming reach and increase the access to care and support for young people. To help achieve these goals, they partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with support for local organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford.

“Since we started this work a year ago, we’re already seeing positive impacts in several communities. We’re grateful for these partnerships, knowing the work we want to do can’t be done alone,” said Melissa Skottegaard, The Cigna Group Foundation’s board chair.

"The kits are a bridge for open dialogue between our members and the volunteers."

The partnership kicked off last summer when The Cigna Group donated dozens of bikes from Manchester Cycle Shop to BGCH teens. The teens were given the opportunity to pick out their own bike, giving them a sense of autonomy. The donation directly supports efforts to build resilience and improve overall health. With the bikes, members are making healthy choices, getting exercise, reducing their stress and anxiety and improving their moods. In addition, with grant funding from The Cigna Group Foundation, Clubs across the country, including here in Hartford, are using trauma-informed practices.

“We’re collaborating to meet kids and teens where they are, with tools and language to better manage their emotions,” Skottegaard said. “I’m especially proud of the teen-specific guide Boys & Girls Clubs of America is launching, which will help equip teens to talk about their mental health.”

Those conversations are also happening during employee engagement events. Volunteers from The Cigna Group are building mental health kits with our teens and tweens. So far in 2025, events have been held at the South End Boys & Girls Club and the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill. In small groups or partnered pairs, The Cigna Group employees and BGCH youth are assembling kits for our members to take home and to leave at the Club for anyone to use. These mental health kits include journals for self-reflection, stress balls for tension relief, mindfulness infinity loops to promote focus and beaded fidget keychains for grounded sensory engagement. Teens are given the freedom to choose a Cigna volunteer to work with, sparking organic and meaningful conversations.

“Throughout the event, the act of creating the wellness kits together became a bridge for open dialogue between our members and the volunteers. Many young people struggle to express their emotions, but having a supportive adult engage in a hands-on activity with them provides a comfortable, safe space for communication,” said Cat Pagan, Workforce Readiness Director at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill.

The Cigna Group employees reacted just as positively. Skottegaard says 100 percent of the employees who have participated in the engagement events said they enjoyed the event, calling it fun, uplifting and engaging. They also expressed feeling more connected to their teammates and to the community, adding it was, “special to hear from Hartford Club leaders about how the items would be used by the kids.”

While The Cigna Group has been a long-time partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, the mental health focus is relatively new but has the potential to do more good for young people in Hartford. It’s expected to continue to grow and expand over the coming months, helping more teens and tweens at all five Clubs and BGCH’s school sites.

“We’re really excited to be teaming up with Boys & Girls Clubs to tackle the critical mental health needs of our youth. It’s clear this is a big issue that no single person or organization can handle alone,” Skottegaard said. “We know there’s always more to be done, but we’re here to support kids and teens and ultimately make a difference.”

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of Be Greater Magazine. Click below to read the full issue.

Youth of the Year, Emani L. Wins State Competition

Fri, 02 May 2025 20:51:18 GMT

Emani will now represent Connecticut in the New England Regional competition.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s Youth of the Year now has a new title, Connecticut Youth of the Year. Southwest Club member, Emani L. won the state competition on May 1.

She competed against 12 other Youth of the Year from Boys & Girls Clubs across Connecticut at the state competition held in Trumbull. As part of the competition, Emani had to deliver a speech and answer interview questions from a panel of judges.

In addition to serving as the youth ambassador for Connecticut, Emani will now represent the state at the New England Regional competition to be held in New York City in June. Winners from the regional competition go on to compete in the National Competition to be named Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Third Annual STEAM Fair Challenges Young Scientists, Problem-Solvers

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:01:58 GMT

Event, sponsored by Infosys Foundation USA, encourages Club Members to Solve Environmental Problems

When today’s youth enter the job market, many will begin careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and accept positions which haven’t yet been created. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects almost 11 million job openings in STEAM careers by 2029, an increase of 8%, compared to the 2.3% projected growth for all other occupations.

Preparing young people for these careers is critical, which is why Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford has partnered with Infosys Foundation USA to fund and expand our Makerspaces in each of our five Club sites.

In these technology labs, young people are learning everything from how to build and code robots to how to design and produce products with laser cutter and 3D printing machines. They’re also expanding their horizons and exploring environmental problems, sustainable farming & hydroponic gardening, and AI technology. In our arts programs, members are producing their own music, either with traditional instruments, or through electronic music production and exploring how technology can enhance creativity.

These new skills are put on display every spring during our annual STEAM Fair presented by Infosys Foundation USA. Now in its third year, the fair continues to challenge young people to combine technology and creativity in a dynamic way.

The 2025 STEAM Fair was held on April 24 at the Joseph D. Lapenta Northwest Boys & Girls Club. Members from all Club sites, ranging in age from preschoolers in the Early Learning Center to teens ready to enter the working world, put their projects on display for parents, volunteers and the community to enjoy. The projects included robots, lego creations, wood products created using the glowforge laser cutter, 3D prints, henna art, gardening, clothing & textile design, art and manufacturing.

This year, members were challenged to tackle an environmental problem and create something which could have a lasting impact. Entries into this competition included a solar powered car and 3D printed butterfly feeder. The winning project was titled Petals to Paper. Teens at the South End Club shredded paper headed for the trash to create a paper pulp. They then processed the pulp and added wildflower seeds before cutting the paper into shapes on the Cricut machine. This paper can now be planted, allowing the flower seeds to grow and effectively turn trash into blooms.

Members also used the STEAM fair as an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship. They designed and created products in the Makerspace which they sold at the fair to raise money for their Keystone Leadership conference this summer. It was one more way for Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford members to see that learning new technology and skills, really does pay.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Names 2025 Youth of the Year, Junior Youth of the Year

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:14:29 GMT

Winners from five Clubs compete for Hartford title

The Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year contestants with the 2025 judges.

What does leadership look like in 2025?

It was a question posed to the Youth of the Year candidates during Selection Night interviews on March 6 at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill.

The answers, which ranged from being willing to make sacrifices and compromises for the greater good to standing up and taking charge to improve the community, demonstrated levels of maturity and altruism not often associated with teenagers.

These traits, however, are the traits of a Youth of the Year. The title is the highest honor awarded by a Boys & Girls Club and signifies a young leader, scholar and role model who embodies what it means to be a Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford member.

Each year one high school member and one middle school member compete for the Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year titles, respectively, at their individual Clubs. Through essays, academic achievements and public speaking they must demonstrate they have the traits necessary to be the organization’s ambassador as Youth of the Year.

A winner from each of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s five Clubs – the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill, the Joseph D. Lapenta Northwest Boys & Girls Club, the South End Boys & Girls Club, the Southwest Boys & Girls Club and the Boys & Girls Club at Trinity College – go on to compete to become the Hartford Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year.

Selection Night is a major milestone for Club kids competing for Youth of the Year and one that many of them look forward to for years. The evening begins with contestants and their mentors gathering for networking with community leaders. Once the competition begins, the contestants are called one by one to deliver their prepared speeches and meet with the judges.

Joseph D. Lapneta Northwest Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Jálon P. (left) networks with Life Trustee Dick Brainerd (center) and BGCH Vice President of Human Resources Veronica Collins-Lucas (right) on Selection Night.

Two slates of judges, one for the Youth of the Year and one for the Junior Youth of the Year, interview each candidate and consider their suitability to be a Club ambassador. The judges are community leaders who volunteer their time to participate. This year’s judges included Darryl Bonner of Liberty Bank, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Life Trustee Richard Brainerd, Rebecca Corbin Loree of Corbin Advisors, Jay Williams from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Kelly Papa of Duncaster, Alexa King of Oracle, Kayla Monroe of Raytheon, Carolyn Hudkins and Stacey Epps. They are tasked with a tough decision, selecting one young person to represent the Club, and deliberations are often filled with passion and emotion.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford President & CEO Bruce W. Jeffery welcomes the audience during Youth of the Year Selection Night.

The 2025 Junior Youth of the Year and the Youth of the Year both hail from the Southwest Boys & Girls Club. Junior Youth of the Year, Johanna R., is in sixth grade, loves to read and plays on the Club’s volleyball team. “I feel like I really belong here, the Club is a second home,” she said. “I feel comfortable here and I can say how I feel.” As Junior Youth of the Year, Johanna will now take on a larger leadership role in her Club and for Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. She’ll also be well-positioned as she grows and develops to one day become Youth of the Year.

Her fellow Club member, Emani L., is Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s Youth of the Year. She is a high school senior who dreams of studying business at the University of Connecticut or an HBCU. She has taken advantage of a multitude of activities and opportunities the Club offers and has emerged as a role model and leader for her fellow members. But she has much bigger leadership aspirations. She says she can be a leader who listens, motivates and inspires. “I will make it my mission to help others be surrounded by the right support that they will need in order to achieve their own versions of success,” Emani said.

Junior Youth of the Year Johanna R. (left) and Youth of the Year Emani L. (right) pose with their mentor, Southwest Club Director Lourdes Carrasco (center).

Emani will now go on to compete at the state level where she could be named the Connecticut Youth of the Year. The winner from the state competition will move on to the New England region and potentially the national competition.

Regardless of how the state competition ends, Emani and Johanna have both joined an elite group of Club kids. They will now forever carry the Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year titles and will continue to be role models and leaders even after they are grown and out of the Club. Selection Night brought back several Youth of the Year alumni, who now have their own careers and families, to mentor the next generation.

The Youth of the Year program and its impact on the Club will be celebrated at the 2025 Great Futures Celebration. Emani and Johanna will both take the stage and the spotlight on June 7 at Infinity Music Hall as they share what it means to be a Club kid.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Recognizes Black Leaders

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:08:50 GMT

Celebrating the Contributions of Today's Leaders During Black History Month.

To celebrate Black History Month, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford is recognizing the contributions of Black leaders shaping our Clubs and communities.

Tomeka Cole is the organization’s Vice President of Development and Communications. She’s a Hartford native and has dedicated more than 20 years to youth development, philanthropy and community impact. Her fundraising and strategic communication leadership plays a critical role in ensuring that every child who walks through our doors has access to opportunities that can uplift and empower them.

One person who understands the importance of that access is Joseph Bumpers, III. He’s a former Club kid who now helps lead Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s operations team as the Director of Operations. As part of that role, Joe oversees the organization’s facilities ensuring all members have a safe and vibrant place to go after school. Joe has spent more than 20 years with the organization, holding numerous leadership roles, but always continuing to put kids first.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford every day is an opportunity to celebrate Black history, leadership and excellence.

Best Selling Author Brings Critically Acclaimed Book to Early Learning Center

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:59 GMT

Winsome Bingham Shares "The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)"

Story time in the Early Learning Center is a regular occurrence, but story time with a “New York Times” best selling author is a special treat!

On February 19, just in time for Black History Month, award-winning author Winsome Bingham shared her critically acclaimed book, “The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)” with the members of our Early Learning Center at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill.

The picture book, which has numerous starred reviews and was shortlisted for the Jane Addams Peace Award, tells the story of a granddaughter and grandmother taking one of the most important walks together. They travel through their community on the way to cast a vote on Election Day. The story highlights the importance of participating in the democratic process and how voting joins the community together, allowing all to speak up, stand up and say what is on their minds.

Bingham read the story to a captivated audience, or as captivated as preschoolers can be, and encouraged members to explore the pictures illustrated by E.B. Lewis. They discussed how the stroll to the poll took “Granny” and granddaughter through various locations in the community kids are familiar with, including the barber shop and church, and how the pair were able to use their community connections and relationships to encourage others to vote, giving hope to the neighborhood.

Bingham is an award-winning author. Her 2021 book “Soul Food Sunday” was named a “New York Times” Best Book of the Year and won the Connecticut Book Award.

National Fine Art Exhibit Puts Club Member Art on Display at Wadsworth Atheneum

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 21:53:13 GMT

Hartford Winners Will Advance to National Competition

At Hartford’s Wadsworth Atheneum guests can view works of art by Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol and Claude Monet. And, for one special day, they could view creations by artists who just may become the next great art master.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s annual National Fine Arts Exhibit returned to the Wadsworth on February 12, 2025. Club members’ pieces in five categories – applied art, digital art, literary art, performing arts and visual arts – were on display in the museum’s Hartford Courant room. The exhibit was part of a national arts competition hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All submissions had to align with the 2025 theme, “Express Yourself: Imagination Unbound.” Community judges were tasked with selecting one winner from each age group (6-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18) in each of the five categories.

The volunteer judges included Marlon Blackwood, Christine Gloster, Ashton Lally, and Molly Minerly. They began by viewing the 160 works of art and evaluating them for thematic accuracy, visual and/or audio quality, artistic merit, creativity, and originality and skill. After brief deliberations, they selected the winners for each category.

Following the judging, the gallery opened to Club members. As each of Hartford’s 8 Club locations filed through the space, members were eager to not only see who won, but to see their work on display in America’s oldest continuously operating public art museum. Families and community members were invited to view the creations, including honorable mentions created by the Club's youngest members (ages 2.8-5 years) in the Early Learning Center.

The evening concluded with an awards show in the museum’s theater. Chloe H. from the South End Club, performed her contest entry “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid while dressed as Ariel. Her fellow Club and cast member, Jaylani V. gave a spirited performance of “Positoovity,” also from The Little Mermaid, while dressed as Scuttle. Jaylani’s entry was crowned the winner of her age group in the Performing Arts Category. Following the performances, winners in each age group and category were called to the stage to accept their awards.

Hartford’s winners will now advance to the national competition.

Youth of the Year 2018

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:56:51 GMT

Kaycia Narine Named Boys & Girls Club Hartford Youth of the Year

By Matthew Ormseth

When Kaycia Narine first walked into a Boys & Girls Club five years ago, she was uneasy. There was a group of girls there who’d been teasing her at school about her accent, which gave away that she was not from Hartford or this country but Jamaica, from the parish of St. Catherine, which she’d left with her mother and two older sisters just one year earlier.

But in time, the Boys & Girls Clubs in Hartford, and the Asylum Hill club in particular, would become another home for Narine, and Narine one of its leaders.

Narine, now 16, has been named the Hartford Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youth of the Year, the one member out of 4,400 card-carrying kids in the city chosen by the club’s board as best exemplifying its tenets of leadership, academic rigor and community service.

“To be a 10th-grader, as poised as she is — I’m proud of her,” said Sam Gray, president and CEO of the Hartford Boys and Girls Clubs. “I look at Kaycia as one of my own adopted kids. I’ve got three sons, and she’s the daughter I never had.”

Narine, a sophomore at CREC Academy of Science and Innovation, volunteers at the Asylum Hill club every weekday. Once school is let out, she takes a bus from the New Britain campus to the Sigourney Street club, a ride that takes about a half-hour. “Those are some horrible minutes,” she said.

At the club, Narine and a few other kids use a hot plate to fry up bacon cheeseburgers, fries and plain bacon — “everybody loves bacon by itself,” she said. They sell the bacon to other club members to fund the Keystone Club, of which Narine is president. The Keystone Club is a leadership development group at the Asylum Hill unit, and proceeds from the bacon cheeseburgers and fries will help send the group to this year’s national convention in Atlanta.

Narine is one of about 300 kids to visit the Asylum Hill unit each day, Gray said, and one of about 1,300 to pass through the three Hartford clubs daily. “We’re where the kids need us the most,” he said. “We’re their second home.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs’ predecessor, the Dashaway Club for Boys, was founded in Hartford 158 years ago. Today, there are more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs facilities nationwide; in Hartford, the city where it all began, there are three clubs: the Asylum Hill building, a club at Trinity College and another on Flatbush Avenue.

Narine lives in the North End with her mother and two sisters. Her father remains in St. Catherine, along with four of her siblings.

Last summer, Narine was a marketing intern for Aetna, where she helped organize community events sponsored by the healthcare giant, including a tennis clinic put on with the Hartford Yard Goats. She landed the internship after spending hours in the Asylum Hill club’s college and career center, preparing a resume and practicing for her interview.

Though Narine wants to go to college, with an eye toward studying social work, she’s keeping her options open. She met with a U.S. Army Reserves recruiter last week; her older sister went into the Air Force, and she knows the military offers stability and a chance at an education along the way. If she goes into the reserves, she can stay close to Hartford. Though it doesn’t yet feel like home— that is a term still reserved for St. Catherine, back in Jamaica — it is where Narine’s mother is, and where she needs to be.

“I feel my mom’s going to need me,” she said. “I feel when my mom gets old, it’s going to be my responsibility to take care of her.’’

But sometimes she’ll indulge in a daydream — enrolling at UCLA, in California, a place she has never been but knows she will love.

“Every kid who comes through this organization is going to leave with a plan,” Gray said. “A college or university is ideal, but we realize it’s not the right fit for every kid. For some of them, it’s a trade school or the military. Every kid is different. But every kid is going to have a plan for the future.”

For Narine, though, the next step is still two years away. In the meantime, there are internships to secure, Keystone conventions to attend and hundreds more hours to be spent in the teen center, with the video games and ping pong table and karaoke machine. When they refurnished the room last fall, Narine was allowed to choose the color. She chose turquoise and yellow. And when she’s gone — wherever she’s gone to — turquoise and yellow it will remain, the mark of a girl who changed the Sigourney Street club, and let it change her.

Tedy Bruschi Visits BGCH

jwilliams@thewalkergroup.com (Nicholas Ricard) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:44:49 GMT

Bruschi Speech Inspires Young Men at Boy’s & Girls Clubs of Hartford ‘Boys to Men’ Event

By Christopher Hanna

Three-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi captivated the attention of young children and adults alike in his speech for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s Boys to Men event Thursday evening at the Aetna Auditorium.

The event, emceed by SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris, showcased the impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs on the lives of young men in the clubs’ Passport to Manhood program.

“There’s a point in time where you need to be guided by a male role model and the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford provides that for these kids,” Bruschi said.

“It’s a great thing that they do and you see the quality of young men here, so it’s a good program.” Bruschi said the main thing he hoped kids would take away from his speech is that their future is bright and that they can be anything they want to be.

As a celebrity figure in his own right, Bruschi discussed how important it was for him to be a role model for these kids.

“It’s humbling [to be a role model]. It’s very humbling actually. I just always try to conduct myself with class and humility the best that I can because I’ve made mistakes, too,” Bruschi said during a networking hour. “I think being a proper role model is showing that when you do make mistakes and you come back from them, how you came back from them and then who you are, and how you’re better from them.”

Kyren Fair, a 17-year-old who has spent the last 12 years at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford at the Asylum Hill Unit, was honored as the 2018 Young Man of the Year and shared a personal story about why the club is so important to him and what the recognition means.

“These have been the best years of my life,” Fair said of his time in the club. “Anyone can come here and have a better future ahead of them because that’s what the club is all about.”

Three-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi talks about what it means to be a role model for young kids.

During the networking hour prior to the program, Samuel S. Gray Jr., President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, said the Passport to Manhood is important to the kids because of the journey of growing up and becoming a man.

“[The kids] have been taking a journey, a journey into manhood,” Gray, Jr. said. “This Passport to Manhood program that the Boys & Girls Club offers is a phenomenal opportunity for them to be men in our community giving back in a very, very positive way.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Hartford was the first chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America and it was in Hartford that the organization was first founded in 1860. Last year, the Hartford chapter helped over 10,000 children in the city.

Golf Classic

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:42:37 GMT

Thank you for attending the 36th Annual U.S. Bank Golf Classic!

We are grateful to all of our sponsors and supporters.

Thank you for remembering the most important Club — The Boys & Girls Club!

We can’t wait to see you next year!

GREAT Futures Celebration 2025

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:27:10 GMT

We look forward to seeing you for the 2025 GREAT Futures Celebration marking our 165th Anniversary!

Interested in sponsoring great futures?

Contact:

Misty Amarena at mamarena@bgchartford.org

Alumni Profile: Meet Armando

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:13:09 GMT

At the age of seven, Armando’s family moved to Hartford’s Southend, and his neighbor (a fellow club Alumnus) invited him to visit the Southwest Club. Armando instantly fell in love with the club and its variety of fun and educational activities. Armando took full advantage of club programs such as Power Hour, which helps Club members with their homework and participated in Money Matters, where he learned about money management and even opened his first bank account.

Armando was active in the Keystone Club, a teen-leadership program that allowed him to “get out and explore.” Through the Keystone Club, Armando worked on community service projects, which taught him how to be a team player and illustrated the importance of giving back. He had the opportunity to visit colleges, travel to new areas of the country and gain confidence in the college application process.

As a result of his hard work and the skills learned at the Boys & Girls Club, Armando became a Travelers EDGE Scholar and earned his Bachelors of Science in Management Entrepreneurship from the University of Connecticut ’13. After graduation, he relocated to Washington, D.C. to begin his career as a consultant for the United States Marine Corps. In 2015, Armando transitioned into business development and partnership success at Management Leadership for Tomorrow, an organization focused on the professional development of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native American rising leaders. Armando recently started a new career as Associate Director of Employer Partnerships at the Yale School of Management.

Armando walked into the Boys & Girls Club looking to make new friends and have fun. He ended up learning valuable life and leadership skills that have helped him become the person he is today. According to Armando: “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford will forever be one of the elements that make me, who I am. Every donation to these Clubs and their programs are making futures brighter for our young people.”

Are you a Club alumni?

Want to be more involved?

Alumni Profile: Meet Michael

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:09:12 GMT

Michael Savage is not a stranger to Hartford, or the Boys & Girls Clubs. A member since he was in 4th grade, Savage started his journey with BGCH at West Middle School, and when the Asylum Hill Boys & Girl Club opened in 2004, he was thrilled to be a part of such a monumental moment in the organization’s history. “The Club has changed my life in so many ways,” Savage said. Savage is now a proud college graduate and works as a Student Engagement Specialist at Hartford Public High School, supporting, advocating, and finding resources for teenagers who have trouble navigating through their high school experience. “ Thanks to the support I received at the Club, I went from a youth who was troubled and was disinterested in doing anything positive, to make my mark in my community and change the world,” he said.

Savage credits his pursuit of higher education and his career path to his positive experiences at the Club. “The Club not only provided a safe place for me to after school, it gave me hope, a second home, and it made me feel like I finally belonged. I was given numerous opportunities to travel outside of Hartford which gave me the chance to experience other lifestyles. I went on hikes, whitewater rafted, and even took a trip to Disneyland,” he said. “I took my education seriously and was provided with tutors who helped me when I hit obstacles and wanted to give up. It was the positive mentors in my corner who encouraged me to the best me I could be. They were the driving force to obtain my college degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013,” Savage recalled.

After college, Savage pursued his passion for helping people as a Therapeutic Foster Care Social Worker, working and inspiring disenfranchised youth find their voices, and a home where they belonged. Now working for Hartford Public Schools, Savage feels blessed to be living and working in the community where he grew up. “I am a product of my environment. Anything is achievable with the right team of support, hard work and dedication. I want people to believe in themselves and know that they are a valued member of society, no matter their background.”

Are you a Club alumni?

Want to be more involved?

Be Greater: Summer 2024 Magazine

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 20:22:39 GMT

Be Greater Magazine: Spring 2024

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:25:56 GMT

Be Greater: Fall 2023 Magazine

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 20:27:59 GMT

Be Greater: Summer 2023 Magazine

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 20:30:17 GMT

2022 Dashaway Luncheon

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 16:38:33 GMT

Come and be inspired as we celebrate amazing young women!

Join us for our Dashaway Luncheon

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

12:00 – 1:30 pm

Marriott Hartford Downtown.

Our Emcee is Elle Duncan, Sports Anchor ESPN

The Keynote Speaker is Leander A. Dolphin, Managing Partner at Shipman & Goodwin

This year’s Jan-Gee McCollam Champion of Young Women Award is Marjorie E. Morrissey

2022 Recipient is Junior League of Hartford

And Leeann P. our 2022 SMART Girl of the Year.

Someone took a risk on us. Someone gave us a chance. Someone inspired us to dream. We are inviting YOU to be that “someone” for our SMART Girls.

For ticket and sponsorship information Click Here

In 1860, four visionary women came together to start the very first Boys & Girls Club in Hartford. Women continue to play a vital role in shaping lives, and empowering a new generation of leaders.

2022 Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor:

SMART Girls Outfit Sponsor

Champion of Girls Sponsors

Gengras Motor Cars, Inc.

Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.

S/L/A/M Collaborative

Stanley Black & Decker

SMART Girls Table Sponsors

Accenture

AT&T

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Connecticare

Delta Dental

Mitsubishi Power Aero

Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Reid and Riege

Robinson + Cole LLP

Shipman & Goodwin

The Cheryl Chase and Stuart Bear Family Foundation

The Ethel Walker School

University of Connecticut School of Law

Voya

About SMART Girls:

The SMART Girls program focuses on
guiding girls in developing and adopting a healthy attitude and lifestyle, as well as acquiring and maintaining a positive self-concept, positive peer relationships, and sound decision-making skills. That’s even more important today as our youth grapple with the social, emotional and financial impact of the pandemic along with issues of racial and social justice.

Why I Love Hartford - By Chris Swift

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:47:53 GMT

Why I love Hartford, a city on the move

I didn’t grow up in Hartford, but I love this city.

When I became CEO, I made it a priority to meet with community leaders, continuing a tradition of civic engagement among The Hartford’s executives and employees that has linked our company to the city, its nonprofit organizations and the business community for more than 200 years. Our city is dealing with its fair share of struggles and complex challenges that will take time to address. But, at the same time, I’m filled with optimism because of the progress all around us.

We’re experiencing a pivotal moment in the city’s history. Downtown, Parkville, Coltsville and other neighborhoods are showing signs of revitalization. Robust crowds attend Yard Goats games in the new Dunkin’ Donuts Park; the downtown UConn campus bustles with students; developers added more than 1,500 rental units in recent years; and unique small businesses are sprouting up and thriving across the city.

It’s an exciting time for insurance in Hartford, too. The Hartford InsurTech Hub and InsurTech Accelerator have connected entrepreneurial, innovative startups with well-established companies offering resources and support. This collaboration keeps the Insurance Capital on the leading edge during a disruptive, but exciting, time for the industry.

Hartford’s palpable economic momentum enriches a city that has so much to offer. From venerable institutions, such as The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, the Mark Twain House & Museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, to newer attractions, like the Connecticut Science Center, Front Street and the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford’s vibrant cultural scene reflects our city’s dynamism and diversity.

We are seeing “green shoots” of growth across our community. Now, our focus must be on maintaining our momentum — and The Hartford is committed to doing our part. This year, we teamed up with Aetna and Travelers to provide the city with an initial $10 million in funding to be used as part of a comprehensive and sustainable plan to address the city’s financial challenges. Our contribution is among the many ways that our company and its employees offer their time, talent and donations, including thousands of hours spent volunteering with organizations that make a positive difference in the lives of our Hartford neighbors.

Just as we are dedicated to serving the community, so, too, are many stakeholders. An economic revival, however, will require everyone’s efforts. Get involved by volunteering for, or donating to, the nonprofits that are driving positive outcomes for the people they serve. A prime example is the Boys & Girls Clubs, which originated in Hartford and gave rise to a nationwide organization serving 5 million children annually across the U.S. But while the clubs are nationwide, they are not yet citywide. Nearly one third of Hartford’s kids live and attend school in the South End but do not have access to the vital after-school services provided by a Boys & Girls Clubs. This is why The Hartford is pledging $1 million to build a new club in the South End, which will serve more than 1,500 children — and why I am so proud to chair the campaign.

Boys & Girls Clubs offer academic, nutritional and civic programs that help children at every stage of development, from early childhood education to college and career preparation and support. The clubs help primary school students with homework, guide teenagers as they transition to adulthood and mentor high school students facing choices about college and career. After-school programs and healthy dinners enable parents to work and know their children are in a safe, nurturing place.

We are working hard to bring a new Boys & Girls Club to the South End because it will serve Hartford’s next generation of workers, parents, teachers and leaders. These young people will continue the work we’re doing today to make Hartford a vibrant place to live, work and play. They can make possible the promising future that’s within our city’s grasp — and we must do all we can to support them.

Christopher Swift is chairman and CEO of The Hartford .