The Cooperative Bank (TCB) and the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club cemented a partnership last Friday, July 19, with a check presentation to support the ‘Life after the Club’ program.
Club Director Derek Gallagher said he was thankful for the $5,000 donation, which was presented by Tom Coots and John Battaglia of TCB.
“We’re really excited to be involved and to help out the Club,” said Battaglia. “They are doing so many great things here and it’s really natural for us to support it.”
The donation will go specifically to the Club’s ‘Life After the Club’ program, which was started about six years ago for kids who have graduated from the Club but still return for help on things.
“By the time most of kids turn six in Charlestown, we often see them here,” he said. “Between the ages of 14 to 18, we want every kid to get a driver’s license, get a bank account, register to vote and to help them get together a resume. Basically, we’re preparing them for anything to do with the real world.”
Last year, as well, they had 17 kids graduate the Club and head off to college.
That brought on a whole new set of challenges as kids returned to try to figure out paperwork, with tuition crises, and other needs like computers.
“There was one girl who was doing well in college, but needed $1,200 for tuition,” he said. “That sounds like a lot for a 19 year old, but we were able to help her so she could stay in school. It’s tough to cut the cord after you have helped raise them…A lot of these kids have nowhere to go and figure out these things and we’re trying to have a place for them to go for that.”
The program will continue in its seventh year in part thanks to the donation.