Partnerships with local colleges and high schools continue to be an important part of the Boys Town New England experience.
Over the Labor Day weekend, the campus welcomed Salve Regina University students to its Bazarsky Portsmouth campus. Each year, 30 first-year Salve Regina students participate in the Service Plunge, a three-day long service immersion, prior to their orientation week. James Hackett, who was enrolled in the Boys Town program over a decade ago and currently is an Assistant Family Home teacher, spoke to the group.
“Our time at Boys Town helped me to realize that small actions can change a person’s life,” said Salve Regina University student Ty G. “I would love to volunteer at Boys Town in the future to hopefully be a part of this change.”
In addition to hearing about the mission, the Salve students donated gift bags filled with books and school supplies for the Boys Town students.
“What a wonderful way for us to partner with the local community,” Glenn Hofmann, Boys Town Development Director said. “I was so impressed with how engaged each of the Salve students were during the presentation. They all clearly learned a lot about our mission and are eager to build a relationship with our organization similar to the ones we have built with Brown University and Portsmouth High School.”
Boys Town is also excited about kicking off a mentoring program with the Brown University Athletics Department. In the past, Brown student-athletes have volunteered at various Boys Town events. This year the partnership is taking the next step, with plans to match a Brown student-athlete with each of the boys and girls in the Boys Town Family Home program as part of an overall mentorship program.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our partnership with Boys Town through a mentorship program,” Brown Student-Athlete Development Senior Manager Vicki Mealer-Flowers said. “As a Rhode Island native born and raised in Providence, I know the impact of the work of Boys Town and know our student-athletes can contribute to the growth of these children while building relationships through mentorship.”
One of the longer partnerships for Boys Town is with the Portsmouth High School soccer teams and National Honor Society members. Once again, this group joined Boys Town staff to volunteer at the Amica Newport Marathon and the Pell Bridge Run, both held in October. This capped a busy volunteering season, as this same group also worked with Boys Town staff at the U.S. Senior Open in June, which was held at the Newport Country Club.
