Valley Breeze: Federal money helps Boys & Girls Club keep making impact
CUMBERLAND – To help the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island continue to strengthen and expand programming and services for local youth, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo said they teamed up to deliver an $850,000 federal earmark to support a renovation project at the Cumberland-Lincoln Clubhouse and grounds on Martin Street.
Reed and Amo joined Gov. Dan McKee, BGCNRI President and CEO Gary Rebelo, students, staff, and community members on Monday to discuss how the planned renovation will help the organization boost its ability to serve as a critical community space for local youth, providing out-of-school opportunities for fun, fitness, recreation, and education.
Rebelo told those assembled at the club Monday that the $850,000 will go toward a new gym floor, new roof, and upgrading the surrounding grounds and athletic fields. It’s all to help create a safe and vibrant space for youth to continue to learn and grow, he said, thanking the youth members in attendance and telling them the renovation is for them, the “heart and soul” of this place.
The unwavering commitment of the state’s federal delegation will have an “everlasting impact” on children, added Rebelo. The club is now building on the legacy of what McKee’s father started.
“Every dollar invested in the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and our community. The Cumberland-Lincoln Clubhouse is a place where all kids are welcome. And the $850,000 federal earmark that Congressman Amo and I are celebrating today will support critical renovations and expansion to ensure no child is turned away because of a lack of space or programming,” said Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.
Reed also highlighted the importance of investing in a place where young people can thrive, congratulating Amo on securing the funds and saying that Rhode Island’s delegation employs a true team effort.
In attendance at Monday’s announcement were Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter, Lincoln Town Administrator Phil Gould, and Woonsocket Mayor Chris Beauchamp, among others.
Amo said Rebelo continues to be a tireless champion for the club, saying this money will invest in the young people he cares about. The memories children make here are valuable even if they involve scraping their knee or getting hit in dodgeball, he said, and they develop lifelong interests in such skills as cooking or art even as they create lifelong memories. This money invests in the “quality of the experience here,” he said.
“Since 1956, the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island has been serving youth in our state,” said Amo. “Today, we build on that legacy through $850,000 in federal funding to renovate the Cumberland-Lincoln Clubhouse ensuring that it continues to deliver for the 2,600 young people who rely on it for out-of-school programming. I thank Sen. Jack Reed for his leadership and partnership in securing this transformative investment for our community.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the $850,000 federal earmark awarded for renovations to our Cumberland-Lincoln Clubhouse. This funding, secured with the invaluable support of Senator Reed and Congressman Amo, will allow us to enhance our facilities and better serve the youth in our community. Their dedication to our mission and the future of our children is truly commendable. We look forward to creating an even more vibrant and supportive environment where our members can thrive,” said Rebelo.
Reed and Amo helped pass the earmark as part of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law. The federal funds will support renovation of the clubhouse and surrounding grounds which serve more than 2,600 youth from all backgrounds each year.
BGCNRI now needs to complete federal compliance documentation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development before the funds can be expended.
The Cumberland-Lincoln Clubhouse, established in February 1956 when McKee was 5, provides various youth development programs and services for families in Northern Rhode Island. It offers before and after-school child care, enrichment activities, and athletic programs. The facility includes dedicated teen space, an accredited summer camp, a baseball field, and indoor and outdoor basketball courts.
McKee’s father, James, was a founder of the club and a plaque honoring him adorns the outside of the building, along the street that also bears his name. A former mayor of Cumberland, McKee, who attended the club as a youth, went on to serve as president of the club, became a member of the board of the club, and was instrumental in expanding the club’s offerings, helping it to become the Boys and Girls Club.
McKee recalled his early days growing up in the club, saying it was and is such an important place for young people. Many of the people he was here with are still friends today, he said.
McKee said he’s so proud of what’s happening statewide under his leadership, including investments in Boys & Girls Clubs and partnerships in his Learn 365 initiative. He urged Rebelo and the club to use the $850,000 wisely.