New Medford Youth Center To Be Unveiled Thursday

MEDFORD, MA – The new Medford Youth Center, a collaboration between the Medford Boys and Girls Club and the Malden YMCA, will be unveiled at the Gene Mack Gym tomorrow, Nov. 29. The youth center will be staffed by employees of the Boys and Girls Club, which has been located at the Gene Mack Gym since 2001. Administrative services will operate out of the Malden YMCA, and the city's recreation department will move into the gym to host additional programming for children and adults.

"The collaboration between the Malden YMCA and Medford Recreation will add tremendous opportunity for our entire community," Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke said in a statement. "Providing a central location for residents to learn, engage in activities and grow is the goal of our Recreation Department relocating to the Gene Mack Gymnasium. Establishing this Recreation Center will provide our community greater access to programs and activities for all Medford residents."

The Malden YMCA has served the Medford, Malden and Everett communities since 1881. Most recently the Y provided over 3,000 summer meals in Medford, and since February 2018, the Y’s Weekend Grocery Program has provided 776 Medford residents with approximately 14,500 pounds of nutritious food. The Y’s food program is provided to families at no cost. In collaboration with Medford High School, the Malden YMCA opened an in-school food pantry to serve high school students and their families. Additionally, for many years, the Y has operated the Medford Housing Authority’s Willis Avenue Community Center.

For over 140 years, the Malden YMCA has supported the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. From its facility in downtown Malden as well as community outreach sites in Malden, Everett and Medford, the Y serves over 10,000 individuals each year. The Y is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen by cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement. The Y’s programs enable children and teen the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve.

Founded in 1993, Friends of Chevalier Auditorium and Gene Mack Gymnasium is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to fostering financial and community support and being an advocate for the city’s historic theater and gymnasium in Medford Square. Through promotion of cultural, theatrical, civic and youth programs, the Friends strive to enrich the quality of life in the community.

"I am excited to have our Recreation Center at the Gene Mack Gymnasium," Medford Recreation Director Kevin Bailey said in a statement. "This is a positive step for the City of Medford to have our new Recreation Department join forces with the Malden YMCA. Together, these groups will make a difference in the lives of many, many Medford families and we look forward to a very bright future!"

The youth center will be unveiled at 30 Forest St. at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.

Photo courtesy pittaya46 via Shutterstock