Today was historic for our community and the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield.
To address the growing demand for Club programming and soaring membership, the Club broke ground on what will be an 11,000-square-foot addition of a multipurpose center and renovation of the current program space.
Did you know? The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield is now the largest summer camp in the State of Connecticut.
With Club membership at an all-time high, and summer camp welcoming close to 500 kids per day, the expansion will allow the Club to serve twice as many young people on a daily basis.
Members of the BGCR staff and Board of Directors, as well as community leaders, supporters, and donors gathered outdoors where they were welcomed by Don Romoser, President of the Board of Directors and true Club champion.
Today’s much anticipated groundbreaking ceremony comes on the heels of a lengthy Growth Campaign spearheaded by Club supporter and campaign Chair, Christine Carnicelli.
With the soft rumbling of Hawley construction trucks at work in the background, Carnicelli exuded heartfelt compassion when speaking of the incredible group of people who came together with the shared mission of creating great futures for our youth.
“We never had a naysayer, they kept plugging along with focus and positive energy to hit our [fundraising] goal. It could have easily fallen apart due to the environment we worked in - but it didn’t. That’s a true testament to our team members who all lead very busy lives. They are role models for the children who walk through these doors every day. They show the club kids what dedication can do and what dedication can accomplish.”
Carnicelli ended by thanking the Growth Campaign committee which included Vice Chair, Lynne Everdell, Chris Leonard, Don Romoser, Steve Ross, Ed Simoneau, Shelley Terry, Erin McMurray, Mary Anne Furfaro, Mike Flynn, Kristin Gonclaves.
Mike Flynn, Chief Executive Officer has been part of the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield for nineteen years. Flynn was emotional when he shared his gratitude for the Club’s Board of Directors, dedicated staff, and Growth Campaign team members.
"People believe in what we do. It's tangible, you feel it. You don't get that in every community. This is a special place," said Flynn, who then named two people instrumental in the success of the Growth Campaign and the Club: Don Romoser, and Don Ciota.
Since 2007, when the Club opened after the first renovation, the BGCR membership base has grown nearly 300 percent. For eight straight years, BGCR has been awarded Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Gateway to Impact Award for growth in average daily attendance by 25% or more.
The morning’s final speaker demonstrated the Club’s impact in action. Lili Scott is a Club alumnus who credits her confidence, happiness, and life success to the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield.
Scott began attending the Club in 2nd grade; a place that was a second home for her, a place of acceptance and support. “Walking in each day and seeing simple two hands interlocking gave me a sense of belonging. A feeling I will always carry with me.”
When Scott entered high school, she experienced some dark days. “It’s hard to image where I’d be or how bad my depression would have gotten if I didn’t have the Club in my life. They were there for me when I felt myself fading. Thanks to them, I can proudly say that I attend the University of New Haven and still work at the Club whenever I can.”
The BGCR partners with over 40 different youth-serving organizations to identify youth who would greatly benefit from Club programming, including Ridgefield Public Schools, Ridgefield Social Services, the Fresh Air Fund, the Ridgefield Police Department, and the Department of Children and Family Services.
With the expanded space, the Club will add programming specifically focused on Teen Mental Health, including Anxiety and Depression; Suicide Prevention; Gun Prevention, and Substance Abuse Prevention. They also plan on retaining a certified counselor on staff to help provide social services to all members, and their families, if needed.
To learn more about the Growth Campaign, or to make a donation, click here.
