FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Liz Hamilton
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
lhamilton@bgcworcester.org
Esler Family Foundation Commits $350,000 to Support Family & Individual Mental and Behavioral Health Services at Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
Worcester, MA — The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester is proud to announce a transformative $350,000 operational gift from the Esler Family Foundation. This investment includes the naming of the Club’s Family & Individual Mental and Behavioral Health Services office as “The Kindness Space” and provides vital operating support to sustain essential programming.
In recognition of this meaningful investment, The Kindness Space will serve as a dedicated hub for Family & Individual Mental and Behavioral Health Services, offering a welcoming environment for youth and families. The space will focus on strengthening support systems, expanding access to caring mentors and resources, and deepening peer-led mentoring opportunities.
This long-term partnership will allow the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester to continue addressing the growing needs of youth and families across the community. Through its Family & Individual Mental and Behavioral Health Services, the Club delivers holistic, wraparound support to youth and families. This includes case management, access to on-site food and clothing pantries, individual, family, and group counseling, connections to community resources, and relationship-based mentoring—helping young people succeed both in and beyond their schools and communities.
“This extraordinary commitment from the Esler Family Foundation ensures that we can continue to provide consistent, high-quality support to the youth and families who rely on us every day,” said Liz Hamilton, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. “Their investment strengthens the foundation of our work, building trusted relationships, supporting mental and behavioral well-being, and creating opportunities for young people to succeed. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and belief in our mission.”
“As a clinical psychologist, I recognize the critical importance of prioritizing mental and behavioral health as a foundation for individuals and communities to thrive. We are proud to support efforts that expand access to essential mental health services for the families and youth served by the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Because the Boys & Girls Club is a trusted and familiar environment for young people, it is uniquely positioned to serve as an early point of connection—helping to identify emerging mental health needs and provide timely support. By integrating these services within a space where children already feel safe and supported, we can ensure that care is both accessible and responsive when it matters most,” said Jeanne Lawton Esler, PhD, Co-Founder of the Esler Family Foundation.
“At the Esler Family Foundation, we believe strongly in providing youth opportunities and look forward to a multi-year partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. We hope this naming gift will build the capacity of the organization to expand access to mental health services,” said John Esler, Co-Founder of the Esler Family Foundation.
The Esler Family Foundation’s support reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to opportunity and ensuring that all young people have the support they need to reach their full potential. In alignment with the Foundation’s mission of healing minds and strengthening spirits, this investment will help the Club continue to provide essential services that foster resilience, connection, and long-term success.
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About Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester serves more than 8,000 youth annually across its three Clubhouses in Main South, Great Brook Valley, and Plumley Village. Each day, the Club provides award-winning arts programming, sports and recreation, academic support and college preparation, leadership development, mentoring, job readiness and employment opportunities, as well as free, nutritious meals for all members.
To ensure access for all families, membership costs are kept intentionally low—$10 for teens and $50 for youth under age 13. As a result, the Club relies on grants, donations, and special events to fund more than 98% of its operating budget. Notably, 92% of the youth served do not receive services from any other agency, underscoring the Club’s critical role in the community.
About Esler Family Foundation
Esler Family Foundation is committed to healing minds and strengthening spirits in partnership with changemakers at home and around the globe. John and Jeanne Esler, who are passionate about giving while they’re living, established the Foundation in 2019 to address some of the most pressing needs of our time including mental health, youth opportunity, and economic mobility. To learn more about the Esler Family Foundation, please visit eslerfamilyfoundation.org.
Media Contact
Kristin Bafaro Liz Hamilton
Executive Director CEO
Esler Family Foundation Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
eslerfamilyfoundation@gmail.com
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