We are thrilled to share the first images of our new facility in Great Brook Valley (PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW). We have been working with our partners at Bloom Architecture to create a Club to call home for our youth, as well as a community hub for families living in Great Brook Valley and North Worcester.
The first three renderings start to bring our vision to life; each space is designed to reflect our Club’s energy and spirit, while also using the available space strategically, ensuring this facility will be accessible, functional, and flexible to evolve with the future needs of our community.
The Pool
According to The Red Cross, African-American children ages 5 to 19 drown in swimming pools at rates 5.5 times higher than those of Caucasian children in the same age range and 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have few-to-no swimming skills.
We will provide free swim lessons for all members so they understand and are fully prepared to handle the potential dangers of being in water. In addition, we will offer adult swim lessons and Mommy & Me aquatic classes during non-Club hours.
Our pool will be as inclusive as possible by featuring a ramp so that differently abled youth can enter the water on their own terms. In addition, we will follow safety regulations set forth by Boys & Girls Club of America by installing showers and changing stalls on the pool deck, eliminating the need for locker rooms. This layout allows for an improved field of vision for staff and parents while also providing crucial square footage for the pool area.
Kid’s Café/ Food Pantry/ Clothing Pantry/ Teaching Kitchen
The new Kid’s Café space will lend itself to many uses: a cafeteria with a commercial kitchen that will serve members a free dinner each night; event space for talent shows, community forums, and fundraising functions; and an integral piece of our workforce development program.
Next to Kid’s Café is our new food pantry, which is designed to resemble a grocery store to offer a more exciting “shopping” experience – although all of the items will be free of charge. With food prices continuing to increase and a lack of grocery stores within walking distance of Great Brook Valley, our food pantry will be a crucial addition to the neighborhood. Many residents lack reliable transportation, making grocery shopping even more challenging. We will offer a variety of options including fresh produce, meat, non-perishable items, and baked goods, as well as household supplies such as cleaners, paper towels, hygienic products, and feminine products.
We will also construct a clothing pantry, which will be modeled after a clothing store such as Gap or Old Navy. Although all items will be free, teens hired to work in this space will develop basic workforce development skills such as merchandising and handling a cash register.
Lastly, our teaching kitchen will sit next to Kid’s Café and be one of the cornerstones of our workforce development curriculum. Here, youth will learn from real food industry professionals and receive hands-on experience. They will complete their ServSafe certifications and be hired to help prepare food for Kid’s Café or as table captains will distribute the meals to our members.
Teen Center/ Workforce Development
One of our top priorities with the new facility will be increasing our teen members by offering quality and practical offerings. Our workforce development program will be a driving force of our new space and will be situated on the second floor in the building, separate from but still accessible to other parts of the facility. The independence from younger children will allow our teens and staff to focus on what’s important to them. We will offer career certifications, resume-building assistance, Driver’s Education courses, and discussions with community professionals who will give our teens a real-life view of their field.
This space will also host our college prep courses, leadership group meetings, an eSports and gaming lounge, and a café. Computers and up-to-date technological resources will provide our teens with the tools they need to explore digital art programs, search for jobs online, complete academic assignments, and submit college applications.
*Please note that these designs are in draft form and are subject to change and evolve with our campaign.
