CONNECTIONS

November 2023

Great Futures Start HERE.

BGCG Breaks Ground on Clubhouse Expansion and Renovation

On Monday, October 23, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, and the Greenwich delegation joined Cristina Vittoria, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, to break ground on the expansion and renovation of the BGCG Clubhouse located at 4 Horseneck Lane.

“Today we break ground not only on the physical structure but on the promise of endless possibilities, growth, and transformative experiences for the children and young people who call this place their home away from home,” said Vittoria. “This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to Building Great Futures for the youth of Greenwich. Renovating and expanding our Club is of paramount importance as it serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless young people in our community.”

The Club was able to jump start the construction project thanks to Governor Lamont and Greenwich’s state house delegation who were instrumental in helping secure $6.5 million in state bond funding to support this project.

“The Boys & Girls Club has been an indispensable part of the community for many years, and I am pleased we are able to help with funding for expansion and renovations to enhance services. I am looking forward to the work ahead and thank our governor and leadership for prioritizing this item on the agenda,” said Steve Meskers, Connecticut State Representative for the 150th District.

Founded in 1910 and built in the 1930s, BGCG’s Clubhouse has served thousands of young people in the course of its history. This marks the organization’s first major renovation project in nearly 20 years.

Click here to read the full story.

Click here to see photos from the event (courtesy of BGCG and Blucher Photography).

Meet Our New Team Members

Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich is excited to introduce you to our new team members. The BGCG staff actively create and sustain an environment that is safe, innovative, and inclusive for all our children.

Kim Covington-Johnson, KidTalk Counselor

With more than 30 years of experience in counseling and education, Kim holds two Master’s degrees in therapy and education and will be working as our new KidTalk Counselor. This position is part of an ongoing partnership with Kids in Crisis, which provides services to the community through their agency as well as the Greenwich Public Schools. This initiative is an opportunity to improve the lives of our youth and their families through mental health support and to enhance the quality of the experience for members.

Christopher Eaton, Head Teacher, BGCG Advance

As Head Teacher in BGCG’s new educational program to advance academic performance, Christopher oversees and facilitates Advance’s program curriculum and leads all classroom activities. He is currently in his fifth year as an educator in special education at Hamilton Avenue School in Greenwich. Prior to joining BGCG, Christopher spent several years as a teacher and academic tutor.

Lauren Melagrano, Events Coordinator

As part-time Events Coordinator, Lauren extends her expertise in executing all internal and external BGCG events including both fundraising and programmatic. Lauren earned her bachelor’s from Marist College in Communications with a specialized focus on Public Relations & Advertising. Prior to BGCG, Lauren served as a public relations coordinator in Manhattan where she implemented PR program components for clients, including special event coordination.

Maggie Montague, Assistant Teacher, BGCG Advance

As Assistant Teacher of the Advance program, alumna Maggie helps in aiding students to reach academic and social-emotional goals through classroom learning and real-world experiences. Before starting with BGCG, Maggie was a paraprofessional at Western Middle School and is currently completing an internship with Greenwich Public Schools to complete her master’s degree in School Counseling from Fairfield University.

Dirk Peters, Chief Financial Officer

Dirk brings to the Club more than 25 years of extensive corporate finance, banking, and business venture experience, and is responsible for the Club’s overall finance, accounting, and budgeting. Most recently, he held the position of CFO at Amberjack, a men’s shoe company and family business. Previously, he was the founder and CEO of CareGeneral, LLC, a care coordination and communications SaaS platform to support family and working caregivers. Dirk also has over 20 years of investment and merchant banking experience, primarily at Stephens, Inc. and Citigroup.

Trick o Trunk Was a Spooky Blast

Spooky goblins and fairy princesses alike enjoyed bags full of Halloween goodies at our annual Trick o Trunk event. The event gave families and children a chance to show off their costumes and meet up with friends. Along with trick-or-treating, children got to meet a host of local first responders.

“A lot of times, when police, firefighters, or EMTs are responding in the community, it’s under stressful situations,” Greenwich Police Officer, Tommy Huestis said. “This is a great event because it’s really positive, the kids are having fun, and we get to talk to the community and engage with them in a positive way.”

In addition to those who decorated their vehicles, we would also like to thank: BGCG Board members, Abilis, Brunswick Upper School, the Town of Greenwich Department of Parking Services, the Silver Shield Association, GEMS, Greenwich Fire Department, Greenwich Police Department, and Logos Greenwich for their donations and support. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!

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