Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester

Project B.I.N.D. >

Donate to Project B.I.N.D.

Click the image above to see a short video on Project B.I.N.D.

Quicktime required.

Project B.I.N.D. (Boston Inclusion Network for Disabilities) is a new core program at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester specifically designed to encourage the educational and social enrichment and advancement of children with special needs throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Together with a vast network of partners, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester will provide access to exceptional after school programs while nurturing the full inclusion of children in all Club programs and activities. Project B.I.N.D. will also provide a support network to for families and engage in advocacy work around inclusion.

Benefits for children with disabilities:

increasing inclusion within the community by participating in mainstream after-school programs (fostering individual growth, friendships, and awareness)
exploring opportunities and developing relationships that may develop into lifelong hobbies, interests, and/or relationships
extending the benefits of mainstream schooling to after-school programs
increasing general independence for the students

Benefits for the volunteers, tutors, and affliated organizations:

fostering a personal understanding about disabilities
providing a structured venue to work with children with disabilities
expanding career development and personal experiences

Target Population:

The program will seek to identify a wide range of children with special needs/disabilities. For example, some programs can be implemented for young children (e.g., swimming programs and general after school programs) and other programs will be targeted to children ages 8 through 14 (e.g., tutoring programs, summer camp programs, community services programs). Our goal is to work with 20 children and their families in the coming year.

Community Partners: The Patrick O’Hearn School University of Massachusetts (Boston)/Center for Social Development & Education Project D.E.E.P. (the Dorchester Educational Enrichment Program) Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses


Jen loved life the most when she was with her family and friends, gardening, and nurturing children with special needs. As a means to celebrate her life, donations made to Project BIND will be used to create The Jennifer Kelly Garden at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester. Checks in memory of Jennifer can be made payable to: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester memo: Project BIND/The Jennifer Kelly Garden 1135 Dorchester Ave Dorchester MA 02125 Or click on the Donate button to the right.	Donate to the Jennifer Kelley Memorial Garden

Advisory Board:

Mr. Bob Scannell, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester

Mr. James Brett, CEO, The New England Council

Mr. Philip Carver, University of Massachusetts at Boston

Mr. Mark Culliton, CEO, Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, Inc.

Mrs. Jeannie Dalton, Parent/Advocate

Mr. William G. Farrell, Esq.

Ms. Roxanne Hoke-Chandler, Federation for Children with Special Needs

Dr. William Henderson, Principal, The Patrick O’Hearn School

Mr. & Mrs. Ron Lescinskas, Parent, Advocate, Business Advisor

Mr. & Mrs. Brendan McDonough, Founder & The D.E. Shaw Group

Mr. & Mrs. Michael McLaughlin, Boston Teachers Union & Parent Advocates

Mr. Gerry Morrissey, The Mentor Network

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Toomey, Home Away From Home Child Care Program & Massport

Mr. Jeremiah Toomey, Business Development, Siemens Corporation

Ms. Sunny Toomey, Home Away From Home Child Care Program

Rep. Martin Walsh, State Representative