SAUGUS — The Prevention Coalition had its second meeting on Monday to discuss future events and get updates from multiple people.
One of the most significant updates was from Joe D’Alessandro, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club in Saugus, which recently opened in the Square One Mall over the summer.
“The space is beautiful… but not enough people know that it’s there,” D’Alessandro said.
The Prevention Coalition and D’Alessandro agree the space could be used to get kids more involved with after-school activities.
“There was a lot of money and time spent on that space. It’s absolutely beautiful. It has a maker space, a podcasting studio, a music studio, an eSports arena, and just a recreational meeting space,” D’Alessandro said.
According to him, the club will host many more events to get the Saugus Middle and High School kids involved. Announcements will be made at the school to make sure kids are aware the club is an available space.
“It’s going to be somewhere that these kids can come and be creative,” he said.
D’Alessandro also hopes they can be included on the bus route so that kids can be safely dropped off at the location.
Coalition member Matthew Parlante also commented on how collaboration between the school and the club would be great for kids.
“The Boys & Girls Club is a great asset to the school,” Parlante said.
The Coalition and D’Alessandro will continue to work together to keep kids safe, especially as winter approaches.
