Group shot at the unveiling of the newly renovated rooms at the Egleston Square YMCA. The lad on the right summed up the feelings of everyone there. Credit: Richard Heath
On Friday dozens of neighborhood grade school students gathered at the Egleston YMCA to thank the many volunteers from United Way who renovated their youth center.
Over a hundred volunteers spent the week of April 11-17 painting, sanding, building out walls, adding bookshelves and storage areas and installing a new floor to three rooms of the Egleston YMCA. It was funded with a grant from Depend, a brand of incontinence products from Kimberly-Clark. The labor force came from skilled workers of the Gilbane Building Company and United Way leadership families.
"It's now a cheery, inviting place", said Sam Zito of United Way.
"A great place to go and grow," added Will Morales, executive director of the Egleston Square YMCA.
Here are more photos from Friday's unveiling of the revamped spaces:
Richard Heath
The Egleston Square YMCA. Formerly Donnelly + Son Outdoor Advertising. the building was acquired by Urban Edge in 1991 as offices and expanded it into the YMCA in 1996. The youth center was named for the late Fr Jack Roussin the activist pastor of St Mary of the Angels Church in October 25, 2005.
James Morton CEO of United way of Greater Boston listens to Will Morales.Executive Director of the Egleston Square YMCA talk about his center's many programs.
Richard Heath
Mopping the newly built floor...
Richard Heath
Youngsters man the trash bucket getting ready for the event
James Morton President and CEO of YMCA of Greater Boston (L) talks with Robert Torres (Center) and Michael Russo both of Urban Edge,which owns the building of the YMCA. They explained how Urban Edge preserved hundreds of units of low income rental housing in Egleston Square
Richard Heath
Kids from several neighborhood grade schools get the room ready under the no nonsense direction youth leader Miss Nina of the Huntington Avenue YMCA (At left in dark sweater)