“Just being a Club staff, program staff, and seeing the lack of access, that was the overall theme that I [saw], and AT&T were able to fulfill that … just putting more of an emphasis on the lack of access to technology.”
—Jen Medina, Dana W. Smith Director of Workforce Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
This past month brought another powerful example of Boston and Chelsea’s ability to convene local businesses, elected officials, and others to invest in the future leaders of Boston and Chelsea. When the young people who participate in Ready to Work, BGCB’s workforce readiness initiative, gathered for a Networking Night with volunteers from AT&T, they did not expect to leave with their own brand new laptop computer. However, at the culmination of this event, the curtains on stage at Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club’s performing arts center were pulled back revealing 250 laptops, and the room erupted.
“I am so excited. I’m going to college in the fall and I know this is going to be utilized a lot,” Paris Figuereo, a high school senior, told WCVB. “I’m just so happy, so grateful. This is such a blessing.”
The event kicked off with remarks that highlighted themes of honoring Black History month, celebrating young people, the power of convening, and investing in the future leaders of Boston and Chelsea. We are grateful to Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, and State Representative Russell Holmes for sharing strong calls to action on behalf of our young people’s collective power. After that, Fellows rotated in groups around the room asking questions, learning, and practicing. They shared takeaways from the experience, which included the value of showing up, the importance of keeping an open mind, and the significance of public speaking and communication skills.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston Ready to Work Fellows at career fair
Invest in Boston's Future
Give Today“Ready to Work is our initiative, and it is just really about matching our teens’ passions to their pathways,” Jennifer Medina, Dana W. Smith director of workforce development for BGCB, told Boston.com. “Whatever that may look like, we’re just here to meet them where they are at. Just being a club staff, program staff, and seeing the lack of access, that was the overall theme that I [saw], and AT&T were able to fulfill that … just putting more of an emphasis on the lack of access to technology.”
15 AT&T volunteers were at the event and worked with Fellows as they practiced the skills they have been learning throughout the Ready to Work Curriculum. It was the first in-person Career Fair in a number of years.
“Our AT&T employees are eager to give back to the Boston communities where they live, work and play,” said John Emra, president, AT&T Atlantic Region, in a statement to Boston.com. “These amazing kids are the future of our city, our economy, and our company. We’re grateful for the opportunity to spend time with them and for the life-changing work done by Robert Lewis and everyone at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.”
In total, 140 Ready to Work Fellows received a laptop computer, and the remainder were distributed to families across BGCB’s Clubs and YouthConnect sites.
