Read below to learn more about our new Teen Director, Maggie Sullivan,
and her plans for the new center:
Following months of renovations, the much-anticipated Stoneham Teen Center is set to open its doors early September. The teen program at the Stoneham location outgrew the single room which formerly housed the program. The new center which features much more space will be located at 79 Central Street in Stoneham.
The new space is located a quick walk away from Stoneham Central Middle School and will serve local teens. The former All Saints Episcopal Church will be renovated to include a music production studio with courses in sound engineering, a state-of-the-art kitchen for culinary arts programs, a meditation room for guided instruction and yoga classes, private spaces for in depth social work, a study lounge, and an outdoor space and small gym area for physical activity. The generous space offers a wonderful balance of peaceful privacy for study and reflection as well as invigorating interaction for discovery and enrichment. The versatility of the space and programming will cater to all interests of the local teen community.
Along with the new space, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield named Maggie Sullivan as the new Director of Teen Programming. Maggie has worked with children of all ages in a broad range of environments, most recently as a behavioral adjustment educator. She is a Washington, DC native with an infectious energy, and is beyond excited to work in Stoneham. As a former college athlete, yoga instructor and art school graduate, Maggie aims to bring a diverse range of programming to the Teen Center with a focus on physical/mental health and wellness.
The renovations required to rehabilitate this space would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors and the community. Specifically, the generous investment of $105,000 by the StonehamBank has enabled the Boys & Girls Club to restore this aging building into a safe haven for teens.
“We’re a proud supporter of the new Teen Center of Stoneham,” said Edward F. Doherty, Jr., CEO, StonehamBank. “I grew up in a local community as a member of the Boys & Girls Club. I remember the importance of the club, and the positive impact the club had on me in the formative years of my life. StonehamBank is so grateful to be part of this project and have the ability to help support the young adults of our communities through a program like this!”
Additionally, the cosmetic upgrades to the space would not have been possible without the hard work of the group Next Step Ministries. This group of dedicated volunteers is committed to helping students grow through mission trips and service projects. Our Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield was fortunate enough to be selected as a service project and receive their assistance in renovating the space.
"The challenges that teenagers face today are constant. We believe that providing the teens in our community with a space to call their own, filled with supportive mentors and engaging activities, will play a small role in helping them mature into productive and compassionate adults," said Adam Rodgers, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield.
If you are interested in investing to create an enriching and engaging space for teens, a wish list of items can be found by clicking here.
If you are interested in making a monetary donation, you can donate to our teens the teen center by clicking here.
