Believe & Become

The Campaign to support the renovation and expansion of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell

Believe & Become is an ambitious campaign to renovate and expand the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell. The vision is to serve twice as many youth – up to 600 per day in a state-of-the-art facility that will provide not just a safe place to be after school, but a hub of services, programs and workforce development opportunities designed to end generational poverty in Lowell.

The project is being conducted in two distinct phases. Phase 1 includes the addition of a separate Teen Center, the renovation of a former pool to a Community Center & Cafe, a new, efficient kitchen capable of feeding 450 per meal, and much more. Read more about Phase 1 here.

Phase 2 will see the completion of the updated infrastructure, an expansion of the reception area in the main building, the addition of a theater, and renovation of existing program spaces.

The total cost to make this vision a reality is projected to be about $23.5M, much of which has already been raised. The return on this investment will be exponential – providing 30 additional year-round jobs at the Club, affordable child care for twice as many families, helping prepare over 1,000 teens each year for the workforce and providing educational and other opportunities for adults.

About the Project

Improvements to the facility

Upgraded infrastructure including HVAC, ADA Compliance, and improved safety systems. Reclaim unused pool, expand front of building and west wing. Innovative and flexible program spaces.

Improvements to program

Expanded arts program to include dance and theater. Teen Programs will have more focused approach to workforce development and college/career readiness. More dedicated quiet space.

Improvements to serving community

New Community Center and Café will become a gathering space for other organizations and groups in Lowell, increased exposure and ability to support earned income streams via rentals for workshops, meetings and more. Additionally, increased wrap-around services can provide additional support to our Club families.

From

Serving 300 youth ages 8 – 18 on a daily basis
Providing a healthy dinner to an average of 225 Club members each day
A crowded cafe where members eat in shifts
$2.2m annual operating budget
15 Full Time Staff and 25 part time staff
40,000 square feet of usable space
A small, dated Teen Center that serves an average of 100 teens per day

To

Serving up to 600 young people each weekday
Preparing and serving meals for 450 or more
A spacious cafe where members can take their time eating, and will double as a community center
$4m+ annual operating budget
28 Full Time Staff and 52 part time staff
53,000 square feet of space
Expanded, modern and attractive Teen Center with capacity to serve 250 teen members per day