Bootstrap prez: We’ll be around ‘long time’

LYNN – Operation Bootstrap will remain in Lynn for a “long time,” President of the Board of Directors Fitzroy Alexander said Tuesday.One day after the board met amidst speculation that the non-profit was on the brink of extinction, Alexander said reports of Bootstrap’s demise were exaggerated and assured students and staff that the organization was not going anywhere.”We do not intend to do anything that will affect the students,” he said.Alexander said he would elaborate on the details of Bootstrap’s future strategy later this week and added the financial situation would “work itself out.”Executive Director Donald Edwards estimated Monday that the organization needed $50,000-$100,0000 to make up for a loss in revenue, but said also that he was not ready to give up and close the doors.Operation Bootstrap is a non-profit that specializes in education and career training for immigrants or those without high school diplomas in the city. It has several classes and programs spread out in different facilities in Lynn, including night courses in some of the Lynn Public School buildings.Edwards and board members acknowledged that they are facing the same problem as many charity and non-profits in this economy – costs and expenses have continued to skyrocket while state aid is level and revenue and donations continue to drop.Some speculated changes include scaling back programs to a more manageable level and slowing what has been a rapid expansion of the organization in the city.