Gordon-in-Lynn headquarters named in honor of late founder

LYNN – 162 Curwin Circle went from the nameless address for the College Bound program to the Sarah Allyn Learning Center Thursday.College Bound, also known as Gordon-in-Lynn (GIL), is a program created in 2004 by Sarah Allyn, a social work major from Gordon College who was killed in a car accident in 2006. The program seeks to create faithful student leaders through guided civic engagement within mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to creating a healthy community.”The naming and dedicating of the building is a great way to let the community know about Sarah’s life and work, to allow her legacy to continue,” director of Gordon-in-Lynn Val Buchanan said.GIL is a partnership between the Lynn Housing Authority and Gordon College which consists of three branches of College Bound including K-2 which is held at the Allyn Center, 3-5 at Gordon College and 6-8 at the Allyn Center.”The program has been going strong for six years,” Cathy Rowe of the Lynn Housing Authority said. “Youth receive homework help, one-on-one tutoring and participate in group activities focused on learning, team building and physical activities. Since Sarah began the program, it has flourished and without her hard work and dedication to the youth of Curwin Circle, the program would not be where it is today. Her passion in life was to help youth in need. Her parents help keep her mission alive with a foundation in her name that helps youth throughout the community.”The ceremony, which allowed all of the partners involved with College Bound to come together, included an exhibit featuring arts and crafts of College Bound kids over the program’s six years as well as words from representatives of the Lynn Housing Authority and Gordon College.Jon Nystedt, Gordon College alumni, director of College Bound and key organizer of the event, believes it is another opportunity for the community to come together in a meaningful way.”I’m excited to see kids, tutors, interns and parents from the past couple years together under one roof,” Nystedt said. “And it’s more significant still that they’ll be gathering under a newly named roof, one which reminds us all of how a young person can have a lasting impact.”For more information about the Gordon in Lynn, College Bound program, visit www.gordon.edu/gordoninlynn