Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps Honors the Scannells

MILTON, Mass. – On May 10, Robert (Bob) and Mary Scannell, the President & CEO and VP of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester respectively, will be honored by the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps with the Embracing the Legacy award at the JFK Library in Boston.

Robert Scannell has served the club for 32 years – his entire professional career. Mary has spent a similar portion of her career at the club, joining shortly after graduate school. Over the past three decades, the pair has transformed the Clubs, guiding the nonprofit through an expansion to two new sites, new disability accommodations, and enhanced and personalized programming.

“I am so proud of the Dorchester community,” says Bob. “The kids that come here are amazing. The families that are here are hard workers and care about the community. I’m proud to work with and for them. We’re all in.”

For more than 30 years, the Scannells have been the heart and soul of the club’s innovative solutions to serve Dorchester youth. Bob collaborated with the local police department to disband a drug house that neighbored the club in the interest of the children’s safety. That land was eventually given to the club by the city of Boston. He oversaw the creation of the club’s third site, as well as the expansion of the nonprofit’s program offerings to include tutoring, music lessons, the arts, college and career prep, teen leadership programming, wheelchair basketball, and more.

Mary was instrumental in developing the early childhood care programs, ensuring that children receive a critical educational foundation from a young age. She also developed Project BIND (Boston Inclusion Network for Children with Disabilities), a model of inclusion, offering programs and staff training to create environments where children of all abilities can successfully participate.

“We aim to inspire children to do more than they think they can do. So many children have great ambitions and drive and talent, but don’t necessarily have the tools to capture that. We give them those,” says Mary. “The thought of children being overlooked doesn’t sit well with me,” adds Bob. “We give kids the chance to reach their potential.”

Despite dedicating much of their adult lives to the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, the Scannells insist that the key to the Club’s success is their wonderful staff, 75 percent of which are Dorchester natives and 33 percent of which attended the Club as children.

“As leaders, the best thing we can do is encourage our staff to do what they do best,” says Mary, who says it is not unusual for ideas that originate with the staff to manifest through Bob and Mary’s facilitation. “We are a vehicle to provide opportunities for kids, and that’s the most important thing,” adds Bob.

Bob and Mary have been recognized in numerous capacities over the years. In 2009, Mary received The New England Women’s Leadership Award for Outstanding Dedication. She was also invited to serve on Mayor Menino’s School Readiness Action Planning Team (Thrive in Five), and Mayor Walsh appointed her to serve on his Universal Pre-kindergarten Advisory Committee. Bob sits on the board for the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, and is a recipient of the Association of Boys & Girls Club Professionals’ Northeast Regional Executive of the Year Award. In 2013, he was elected to the Dorchester Hall of Fame.

“What we do, we really can only do with the kindness and willingness to help of others,” says Mary, who says she and Bob share the Embracing the Legacy award with their staff. “Because of our positions, we get the credit, but it’s important that the people that support us recognize that we are so appreciative.”

Founded in June 1969, the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps continues to serve and honor the late Senator’s belief that society has a responsibility to all of its members, and that lasting contributions are made by improving the lives of children and their families. To date, the Massachusetts-based agency, a national leader in developing and implementing successful child welfare, social service and juvenile justice programs, has impacted tens of thousands of children and families.

ABOUT THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY CHILDREN’S ACTION CORPS’ EMBRACING THE LEGACY AWARD:

The Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps’ Embracing the Legacy Award celebrates the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy and the work of the organization founded to carry out his principles of social justice for the poor and disadvantaged. Through its annual Embracing the Legacy event, the agency raises money to support some of Massachusetts’ most vulnerable youth and families, giving them a chance for a better life. The agency, which is celebrating its 50th year of service, is a national leader in developing and implementing model, successful child welfare and juvenile justice programs.

During the event, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III, a member of RFK Children’s Action Corps’ Board of Directors, will reflect on his late grandfather’s legacy and the lasting contributions he made toward protecting society’s most vulnerable children and families.

The event will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner and program, including the award presentation to Robert A. Scannell, Jr., President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club Dorchester; Mary Kinsella Scannell, Vice President of the Boys & Girls Club Dorchester; Darrell Crate, Founder and Managing Principal, Easterly Capital; Robert Lewis, Jr., Founder and President, The BASE; and Paul Lewis, Director of Training, North American Family (posthumous).