Since 1938, the Club in South Boston has provided families with affordable and enriching after-school programs. Recent investments from the Opening Doors Campaign have allowed the Club to make essential renovations, including a state-of-the-art music clubhouse and a modern kitchen equipped to prepare and serve hundreds of healthy meals to our members each day.
These enhancements have already made a lasting difference for our young Club members – members like Jose.
A junior at Brighton High School, Jose has been a member of the Edgerley Family South Boston Club for the past ten years. After the renovations were complete, he began working in the Club’s new kitchen with Denise, a caring staff member, to help prepare meals for other Club members.
“Denise knows how to prepare every dish,” said Jose. “She’s a great cook and she has started to teach me. At first, I didn’t even know how to use a knife. But now I love to chop fruits and vegetables for our daily snack and dinner.”
Thanks to Denise’s guidance and support, Jose has developed a keen interest in the culinary arts, and plans to one day turn his passion into a career.
A few weeks ago, Jose visited the highly regarded culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, which he has his eye on for after high school.
“The University was amazing,” said Jose. “I was really excited to visit the bakery lab and attend a class that focused on cooking all different kinds of meat.”
With Denise’s help, Jose has gained invaluable life skills that will last a lifetime.
“The staff is like a second family to me,” said Jose. “They always make sure I am doing well, both at the Club and at home. And it was because of their encouragement that I decided to apply to be on the Club’s Junior Staff. I got my first job because of the Club.”
He is grateful for all the opportunities the Club has afforded him. “When I was younger I participated in everything at the Club. I played basketball, enjoyed swimming, and tried new projects in the Computer Clubhouse. I am prepared for the future because of everything they have taught me.”
