Boston Beneficiaries

BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life)
BELL is a national provider of educational summer and after-school programs designed to help under-performing elementary school children achieve high academic and social standards through a combination of tutoring, social enrichment, and structured mentoring.  Every year, 100% of the students entering BELL at the “failing” level have advanced to a higher performance category, based on standardized tests.  BELL is increasing its impact not only through providing comprehensive services to 10,000 children, but also by advocating for reforms in education policy that will benefit children.  Senators Barack Obama and Barbara Mikulski used the BELL Summer program as a model for the STEP UP Act, which seeks to provide $100M annually for children to attend high-quality, summer enrichment programs.  Through every effort, BELL is seeking to make educational opportunities equitable and accessible for all children.  www.bellnational.org

The Home for Little Wanderers
The Home for Little Wanderers is the nation's oldest private, not for profit, child and family service agency and one of New England's largest, providing services to thousands of children and their families through 20 programs each year. The mission of The Home is to ensure the healthy emotional, mental, and social development of children at risk, their families, and communities through an integrated system of prevention, advocacy, research, and a continuum of direct services. The Home is “Where hope lives.”
www.thehome.org

Horizons for Homeless Children
The mission of Horizons for Homeless Children is to improve the lives of homeless children and their families.  It provides homeless children in Massachusetts with the nurturing, stimulation and opportunities for early education and play that all children need to learn and grow in healthy ways.  To improve the lives of the children it serves over the long term, it connects their parents with the tools they need to achieve social and economic self-sufficiency.  It provides leadership in advocating for homeless children and their families through leveraging and sharing expertise with others and advocating with policy makers and the public.  www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org

Roxbury Youthworks
One of the oldest minority-based non-profit organizations in the City of Boston, Roxbury Youthworks is a community-based organization whose mission is to create healthy families and strong communities; to inspire young men and women to recognize and develop their strengths; and to prepare them to lead independent and self-sufficient lives.  Since 1981, it has been combating the roots of juvenile delinquency in the inner city neighborhoods of Boston by providing community-based support, positive alternatives, innovative programming, advocacy and an array of social services to young people and their families. www.roxburyyouthworks.org

Steps to Success
Steps to Success is a comprehensive educational achievement program providing academic, social development, and family support services to low-income students and their families.  The program seeks to break through the attitudes and substantive barriers that mark poor children for failure, seeking to overcome the confining conditions and characteristic stereotypes of poverty.  Steps to Success is dedicated to building the aspirations, skills, and confidence of low income students, so that they can succeed in school and make college education a reality. www.stepstosuccessbrookline.org

City Year Boston
City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time service, in exchange for an educational scholarship, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world.  As tutors, mentors, and role models, these idealistic leaders make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods across Greater Boston.  This year in Boston 140 young people - called corps members - will improve students' academic success and contribute to a more positive school environment, engage parents and community members, and develop valuable leadership skills.  www.cityyear.org

West End House Boys and Girls Club
The West End House Boys & Girls Club’s mission is to inspire and enable young people from diverse backgrounds to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Through a wide range of innovative activities in education and technology, leadership development, the arts, and athletics, the WEH Boys & Girls Club transforms critical after-school hours and summer time into opportunities and alternatives for at-risk youth.  Since 1906, the West End House has been a place of belonging for thousands of children from immigrant and urban families.  We serve children and teens ages 7 – 18 and have over 1,000 members. Today, the West End House continues this tradition of serving children from immigrant families, many who come from around the world including South and Central America, Asia and the Caribbean.  www.westendhouse.org

Citizen Schools
Citizen Schools is a leading national education initiative that uniquely mobilizes thousands of adult volunteers to help improve student achievement by teaching skill-building apprenticeships after-school.  Our programs blend these real-world learning projects with rigorous academic and leadership development activities, preparing students in the middle grades for success in high school, college, the workforce, and civic life.  Launched in Boston in 1995, Citizen Schools currently serves 3,000 students and engages 2,400 volunteers in 15 cities nationwide.  Learn more about our programs, our results, our plans to advance the after-school field, and how to get involved at www.citizenschools.org.

The Peter Gammons/FTBNL College Scholarship
The new Peter Gammons/FTBNL College Scholarship allows Boston Public School students a four year cash scholarship to the college of their choice. Students are nominated by a FTBNL non profit partner and selected for their high financial need and high educational potential! Students are living in Boston and have overcome extraordinary challenges such as homelessness, violence, cancer, loss of family members, language and cultural barriers but all have proven academic success by being accepted to some impressive colleges.

Without The Gammons/FTBNL scholarship, these students would not be able to attend college. Since it’s inception, FTBNL has sent 17 Boston area students to college by awarding them over $100,000 in scholarships. FTBNL not only has given cash awards but has been instrumental in helping the students navigate college, financial aid and integrate successfully in their first year and adds extra support to ensure their success. They are also paired with a Gammons Mentor, an adult from the FTBNL Circle of Friends who partners with them to ensure their success at college and in their careers.