Boys & Girls Village Raises $200K at Fundraiser

From Gaffney Bennett PR: “An overwhelming success!”

That’s the most accurate way to describe the 2017 “Fore Change” Fundraiser to benefit Boys & Girls Village (BGV), a statewide leader in providing behavioral health treatment, permanency planning, and educational services to Connecticut’s most vulnerable youth and their families. The Race Brook Country Club in Orange hosted this year’s event, which was underwritten by the BIC corporation, raised more than $200,000 to support the growth of BGV’s Charles F. Hayden School.

On June 5, nearly 150 golfers enjoyed an afternoon of (rain free!) golf at Race Brook, while another 20 athletes participated in the “Rally for the Children” Tennis Tournament, which was occurring simultaneously at Tennis Central in Woodbridge. The day culminated in an evening fundraiser at Race Brook, attended by more than 200 people.

The evening fundraiser was highlighted by a powerful speech from Kimone Facey, a BGV foster child. Facey, who is a member of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families Youth Advisory Board, talked about how support from BGV, DCF, and her loving foster family enhanced her self-confidence and allowed her to overcome a number of challenging circumstances. Facey will graduate from high school later this month and attend Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina – her top choice -- in the fall.

“The success stories we heard at our fundraiser exemplify the importance of BGV’s work,” said Dr. Steven Kant, BGV’s President and CEO. “Through our school, Work To Learn vocational training, and foster care programs, BGV provides at-risk youth with opportunities to create better futures.”

Front view rendering of expanded BGV Upper School

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the 8,300 square-foot expansion of the Upper School, which will accommodate the recent addition of the 11th and 12th grades. This necessary growth allows BGV to offer a valuable continuum of educational services to its students. The expansion will include a larger student center and gymnasium, additional classroom space, and a full-size cafeteria.

Photos courtesy of GB PR