LYNN — The Boys & Girls Club of Lynn will welcome — and, in many cases, welcome back — people to its North Common Street facility as part of an Alumni & Community Leaders Event on April 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The purpose of the event is to give former club members the opportunity to reconnect with friends and reminisce about their experiences while providing an update on the second phase of a major renovation that will result in significant upgrades to the facility and programming.
“We want to give people the opportunity to see and hear what a positive impact the club has on our members, and what better way to do that than have our alumni share their stories,” said BGCL Executive Director Brian Therrien.
The April 3 event will include tours, food, remarks from elected officials and alumni, and a presentation on the improvement project, an $18 million initiative.
There is a long list of BGCL alumni who attribute their future success to their experience at the club.
“As a kid that lived my entire childhood across the street from the fire station on Franklin Street, I can remember being very impressed with the fact that I had a brand-new swimming pool built on my street,” said Tom Demakes, CEO of Old Neighborhood Foods, who was a club
member from 1948-58. “I try my best to be humble and respectful of others. I help others who show promise, are hard-working, and respect themselves and their fellow citizens. Hopefully, they return the help to others and make a significant contribution to society.”
Jennifer Oquendo Suarez, a club member in the early 1990s, said the experience instilled in her a desire to give back to the community.
“The club helped shape me into the person I am today through service,” she said. “When I give back to the community, I reflect on what the club did for me, especially in terms of inclusivity as an ELL (English Language Learner) member. I strive to carry that same spirit of inclusivity in my service. My service mentality was formed during my time as a club member and has stayed with me ever since.”
Suarez said she gives back through volunteering with the Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund and
her job at State Street.
As an alumna and vice president of the BGCL board of directors, Erin Muschette has had a full-circle experience with the club.
“The club has always been an important part of my life and played a huge role in shaping who I am today,” said Muschette, who was a member in the early 1990s. “Growing up at the club taught me the importance of caring for others. It made me care about the community and want to help it continue to grow. Through various programs and activities, I learned the value of teamwork, leadership, and giving back. These experiences inspired me to always look for ways to contribute to the well-being of those around me.”
Ward 6 City Councilor Fred Hogan, a BGCL member from 1978-90, said the club provided a safe haven.
“The Lynn Boys and Girls Club had a profound impact on my life as a kid, providing me with a safe and positive environment away from the streets of Lynn,” Hogan said. “More than just a place for fun, the club was a refuge, offering stability, friendships, and a sense of belonging. As the youngest of eight Hogan kids, I followed in the footsteps of my brothers, who also found guidance and support within those walls. The club didn’t just give us a place to go — it helped shape the people we became, instilling values that have stayed with us for a lifetime.”
Those interested in attending the April 3 event can RSVP to [email protected].
