“The more exposure I can give members, the better. I look for that spark, that curiosity. Then I do everything I can to help get them in front of employers and opportunities.” -Matthew Powers-Koch, Director of Trades Pathways, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB), we don’t just talk about potential, we invest in it. Thanks in part to the support of our donors, our growing Trades Pathways Initiative is helping young people like Brandol explore meaningful careers in construction, public safety, clean energy, and more.
Brandol, a lifelong member of the Grousbeck Club of Charlestown, first walked through our doors at just 10 years old. Over the years, the Club became more than just a safe space—it became a launchpad. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school,” Brandol reflects. “I thought about being a firefighter or a police officer. But the more I went to trades events, the more I knew that was the path for me. I just didn’t know how to get there.”
With guidance from BGCB staff, Brandol enrolled in YouthBuild Boston, a pre-apprenticeship carpentry program. He completed the program, discovered a love for hands-on work, and was accepted into the Carpenters Union. When he needed help landing his first job site, he turned to someone trusted: Matt “PK” Power-Koch, BGCB’s Director of Trades Pathways.
“The more exposure I can give members, the better,” PK says of his approach. “I look for that spark, that curiosity. Then I do everything I can to help get them in front of employers and opportunities.”
PK’s role is as dynamic as the young people he serves. He’s part relationship-builder, part mentor, and part door-opener. He works across three key areas: building trust with unions and employers, coordinating with BGCB staff, and—most critically—supporting youth as they navigate the complex, often exclusive world of the trades.
With PK’s support, Brandol landed a job on a project in the Bunker Hill housing development where he grew up.
Even after the project wrapped, PK continued offering mentorship, encouragement, and new leads. For Brandol, that steady support system is what sets BGCB apart: “It’s good to have people like that around,” Brandol says. “It shows how much love and respect they have for you.”
