On June 2, 2018, The West End House unveiled the completion of its major facility renovation and expansion resulting from the $23.5 million comprehensive “Expect More Campaign”. Each year The West End House Boys & Girls Club’s Annual Celebration exceeds expectations, but this year it marked two major milestones in history. The night was filled with inspiring speeches and collaborative performances by The West End House youth, some of the most exceptional young musicians, dancers, step team and spoken word artist, in the city of Boston, and an auction raising a record-breaking $1 million to directly support the year-round programs. John Berman, anchor of CNN Early Start was the emcee for the evening for the fourth year.
The Grand Reveal Event began with a cocktail hour, and tours of the new and expanded club led by youth ambassadors, all of whom participate in the program on a regular basis. The tour showcased the new College and Career Center, expanded Kitchen and Café, new Fitness Center and newly renovated Arts Wing, featuring the brand new New Balance Performing Arts Pavilion that opens up into Ringer Park. The event illustrated how these new spaces are going to transform the community and make a permanent impact on the more than 1,600 talented young people of The West End House.
The dynamic programs followed, with U.S. Pavement COO and The West End House Board President Andrew Musto setting the energy level with his uplifting and passionate opening remarks. Andrew, now in his fifth year as President of the Board of Directors, knows the impact events like this make for the city’s youth served by The West End House. “The West End House is not about hand-outs. Our program is built on helping young people recognize their potential, provide opportunity, and expecting more in their achievement of their dreams,” Andrew says. “I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with such a talented staff, dedicated family of supporters, and most of all with our exceptional young people.” The event hosted over 400 philanthropic, corporate, civic, and community leaders committed to the success of the Campaign.
The West End House is an innovative and vibrant youth development agency that provides outcome-driven programs to more than 1,600 youth, residing in the most underserved communities in the city of Boston. It continues to raise expectations by providing life shaping programs to a wide variety of urban children, working to ensure that the youth recognize their full potential and are prepared for future success as adults.
The West End House youth are being driven towards college degrees and mastery of skills, boasting a 99% high school graduation rate and 96% college enrollment rate. 115 teens are employed, including 65 year-round jobs, making The West End House the largest teen employers in Boston. The West End House continues to develop higher level programs while remaining true to the original ideas that were in place at its founding in 1906. They are positioned and ready to launch the next chapter of their remarkable impact in Boston.
