Thomas P. Fay | Regional president, BNY Mellon; board president, Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence
(Editor’s note: This is a condensed version of a story that was originally published online on Oct. 19.)
1. October marks the 150th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, which is the oldest continually operating club in the country. How has the local organization’s work evolved? The challenges [facing] today’s youth of Providence are far greater than in the past.
More than 80 percent of the kids we serve are considered to be [living] in poverty and many of them rely on us to provide meals, which was not a primary focus [of the organization].
The biggest evolution has been our shift from recreation to a deeper focus on education. … We’re teaching youth the skills they need to rise out of poverty.
2. You have been serving on the club’s board for 15 years, including the last nine as president. What has kept you involved? For me, investing in our youth and putting them on a path to succeed yields amazing results as they move forward. … The satisfaction of seeing these kids get into college or learn the life skills they’ll carry with them through adulthood is extremely rewarding.
3. What activities does the club have planned to celebrate the milestone anniversary? Over the summer, we hosted block parties at our South Side and Fox Point clubhouses to celebrate our work in the community – with the community. We also expanded our swim lessons program.
Through all of this, we hope to reconnect with alumni we’ve lost touch with through a special website, www.bgc150.com, [which] they can visit and identify themselves.
On Nov. 29, we will hold our Denim Diamonds Gala at Café Nuovo.
4. How can the community get involved with the organization’s work to ensure the club remains a resource for children for another 150 years? Community is at the heart of everything we do, and our alumni are truly our best ambassadors for connecting others with our work and members.
We also have volunteer opportunities, such as providing tutoring help and serving meals at one of our clubhouses.
And … people can invest in the future of a child … by giving to a range of different programs and initiatives.
5. What one piece of advice would you give to people who are still on the fence about volunteering? My advice to anyone on the fence about volunteering is to visit an organization that serves Providence’s youth.
Your volunteerism can be a catalyst for positive change, and I truly believe that we all have something to offer in making a difference for others.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, Gowdey-backus@PBN.com.
