News
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to break ground on Bridgeport Clubhouse September 16
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Aug 26, 2010 - 9:57 AM

Officials from the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club will join residents from Bridgeport's West End and Black Rock neighborhoods to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new seven million dollar Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse on Thursday, September 16 at 3:30 P.M. Located on land adjacent to the Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue, this unique urban-suburban partnership is creating a new Clubhouse that will bring nationally acclaimed Boys & Girls Club of America programs to more than 1,000 Bridgeport children in grades three through 12.

Joining the celebration will be Joel Smilow, philanthropist, and elected officials including Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and City Council President Tom McCarthy. The event is free and open to the public.

"To be able to open this Clubhouse in a neighborhood where there is such a clear need for children's programs is very rewarding," stated David W. Blagys, executive director, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. "Volunteers have spent countless hours of their time, energy and resources to make this happen and we're almost there. We are still accepting donations - every gift, large and small, makes a difference."

The Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse will be a 23,000 square foot building featuring a nearly 8,000 square foot gymnasium that will have seating for 250, a teen center, game room, arts and science center, technology center, community room, two learning centers, a café and kitchen, and a multi-purpose room for dances, fitness and yoga programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of America programming focuses on five areas including education and career development, character and leadership development, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. The Clubhouse is expected to be completed by summer 2011.

Burroughs Community Center sold the property to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club for one dollar and the Bridgeport City Council has granted all the approvals required for the project. To build and operate the Clubhouse for the first year will require approximately seven million dollars, all of which is being raised through private donations. Joel Smilow, a local philanthropist and passionate advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs, jumpstarted the fundraising with a $1.5 million donation. To date, $6.3 million has been raised.

Bridgeport's West End and Black Rock neighborhoods were a logical choice for the location both because of the synergy with Burroughs Community Center and the demographics of the surrounding area:

* 2,500 children live within a half mile of the new Clubhouse;
* English is not the first language spoken in 36% of the homes;
* More than 65% of households are led by a single mother; and
* Nearly 60% of families live below the poverty line.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers life changing experiences by providing hope and opportunity when and where it is needed. The Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse will offer afterschool tutoring and homework help, build self esteem and confidence, enhance opportunities for self expression, address childhood obesity, and promote social responsibility.

To follow the construction progress, become a fan of the Smilow Burroughs Clubhouse on Facebook.

To make a tax deductible donation, checks made payable to "Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse" may be sent to David Blagys, Wakeman's Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 118, Southport, CT 06890.

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