Massachusetts Alliance Of Boys & Girls Clubs Hold Inaugural Summit for Massachusetts Youth

Boston, MA [September 22, 2026] – Today, the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs hosted its inaugural Summit for Massachusetts Youth, which brought over 100 Club teens, alumni, and staff to the State House for a day of programming shaped by Club youth.

The day’s events featured a panel discussion with Representatives Shirley Arriaga, Adrian Madaro, Daniel Ryan and Senator Adam Gómez. The panel was followed by a luncheon for Club members featuring a keynote address from Senator John Velis and remarks from Kristin Christopher, Vice President of State Government Affairs at Comcast, and Matt Watrous, Lead Director of Government Relations at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

“We want to thank all of the legislators that participated in today’s event as well as the incredible Club kids that provided input, helping to inform the details for the day,” said Jenn Aldworth, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “We also have so many other Club teens who came out to attend this event and legislators who are here to support their Clubs. I want to thank all of them for their continued support and advocacy on behalf of youth all across the Commonwealth. There is no better testament to the role a Boys & Girls Club plays in a person’s life than to see how many legislative leaders have been directly impacted by their own local Club. This event has shown how important youth voices and civic engagement are and we are very proud to have so much Club kid representation in the legislature.”

The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs received a grant from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support a day of legislative advocacy and give Club members the opportunity to

interact directly with their legislators on the topics they care most about. The panel topics were decided by a youth committee with questions centered around youth mental health, workforce readiness and development, youth voices, and AI. Club teen Gabrielle from the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester moderated the panel and spoke about the importance of youth advocacy.

“Youth voices are the loudest voices,” noted Gabrielle. “It was really nice for us to be here today.”

Legislators were also asked about their experiences becoming a state leader and how the Boys & Girls Clubs shaped their journey. All four of the panelists have direct ties to their local Clubs which helped shape their careers and perspectives on youth.

Representative Madaro reflected on his experience as an alumnus of the Salesian Boys & Girls Club in East Boston and how it has influenced his journey in the state legislature.

“Growing up, I was a true Club kid. Every day after school, the Boys & Girls Club in East Boston was somewhere my friends and I could go that was safe and welcoming. It was a place where I played sports, attended summer camp, and eventually landed my very first job as a counselor.

The great friends and positive role models I found there inspired my lifelong commitment to working with youth,” commented Madaro. “Today, as a State Representative and Co-Chair of the After School Caucus, it is a privilege to pay that experience forward by advocating for our young people and championing impactful organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs that do so much for our communities."

“The young leaders from across the Commonwealth, representing the Boys & Girls Club Alliance, were quite impressive,” said Representative Ryan, alumnus of the Grousbeck Boys & Girls Club of Charlestown. “My hope is they got as much from our conversations as we got from hearing them. A big thank you to the students for sharing their time and opinions with us. I also want to thank the alliance for their work in coordinating the Boys & Girls Clubs from across our many districts, to focus on policy regarding to youth and young adults.”

Panelists were also asked to name one idea or action item that they will take back with them in the coming legislative session to help support the young people in the Commonwealth.

““If we want to see Massachusetts continue to thrive in the years ahead, then we must continue to invest in our young people and the places where they spend their time today. The world that they’re stepping into will be shaped by artificial intelligence, rapid change, and a workplace environment that looks nothing like the one we grew up with,” noted Senator Gómez, another Boys & Girls Club alumnus. “We must give these children real opportunities, strong, mentorship, and the chance to build skills that transfer across industries. Creativity, communication, problem-solving, teamwork – they won’t just meet the challenges of the 21st-century workforce, they’ll lead it. Our investment in them is an investment in the future of this Commonwealth.”

“I’m proud to invest in our young people because when we give them opportunities through sports, STEM, and safe spaces like the Boys and Girls Club, we build more than skills,” said Representative Arriaga. “We build confidence, belonging, and a sense of possibility. Investing in them today strengthens their futures and the future of our communities.”

After the panel, Senator John Velis delivered a keynote address at a Club member luncheon in the Great Hall. His remarks highlighted the importance of youth mental health and civic engagement.

“It was an honor to join so many remarkable young people at the first-ever Boys & Girls Clubs Youth Summit. Our Clubs are on the front lines supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of kids across the Commonwealth, and today’s conversations made clear just how powerful youth voices are in shaping our future. Welcoming Club members from across the state, including those from West Springfield in my district, to the State House reminded me that when we invest in our young people, we strengthen every corner of our Commonwealth.”

About the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs

The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs serves as the collective voice for Clubs on Beacon Hill and beyond. The Alliance works with state government to secure ongoing public support for Club programs across the Commonwealth. The Alliance includes 40 Clubs across the State – which serve over 117,000 children and teens at 98 Club sites.

For more information visit:

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Website: https://www.massalliancebgc.org/