Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said it was a powerful moment this week when she got her first glimpse of youngsters enjoying activities at the Boys and Girls Club of Massena.
She checked in on a group of some of the youngest students playing together on a rug, shot hoops with a young boy, checked out older students playing computer games in the technology room and even enjoyed a slice of pizza prepared by club members.
Assemblywoman Jenne was thrilled to see the vision laid out by community leaders over three years ago turn into a space that can serve the youth in a community that has struggled with economic and social ills in recent years.
She was able to secure $250,000 in grant funding from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York through the community Capital Assistance Program for the project.
"It has been an absolute joy working with the community that has come together to create this wonderful program and new facility to serve our children. It became clear to me very early in the planning process that the level of commitment and competence involved in this effort would ensure its complete success," she said.
She checked in on a group of some of the youngest students playing together on a rug, shot hoops with a young boy, checked out older students playing computer games in the technology room and even enjoyed a slice of pizza prepared by club members.
Assemblywoman Jenne was thrilled to see the vision laid out by community leaders over three years ago turn into a space that can serve the youth in a community that has struggled with economic and social ills in recent years.
She was able to secure $250,000 in grant funding from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York through the community Capital Assistance Program for the project.
"It has been an absolute joy working with the community that has come together to create this wonderful program and new facility to serve our children. It became clear to me very early in the planning process that the level of commitment and competence involved in this effort would ensure its complete success," she said.
She said she is well aware of the challenges the community has faced over the past decade.
"Within my first month in office in the New York State Assembly, I got the call that GM was closing its Massena plant," she said, noting those job losses have been exacerbated by the closing of the Alcoa Massena East plant and job reductions at the Massena West plant in recent years.
She praised community members for continuing to fight for Massena as they rode the roller coaster ride that is the fate of so many manufacturing communities in the country.
The Massena community responded with the competitive spirit it is known for around the region, according to the assemblywoman.
"You said, 'We might be down, but don't count us out. We were reeling here but you did figure out how to mobilize and move forward. This is proof of that," she noted during the Wednesday evening ceremony marking the grand opening of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena.
"It was great to partner with everybody in this room so this could happen. It really is a triumph of this community. This can help turn the tide in Massena. You have shown again with this project you are resilient, tough skinned and everybody is going to pitch in when times are tough," Assemblywoman Jenne added.
"You know we can only change things by putting in one piece of tile at a time but before long you have a beautiful project. We have come a long ways with this project because of everybody in this room. You are a shining example for the rest of us in the North Country," she said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the Boys and Girls Club is another example of the role the state can play to assist community leaders with projects that have the ability to literally change lives.
Massena Mayor Timmy J. Currier, president of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena's Board of Directors, said he still remembers the kitchen table meeting he had with Assemblywoman Jenne and Ken MacDonnell when she pledged to work to secure funding for the effort.
"She came to us back in 2014 and said, 'I want to help.' And then she pledged to work on a grant for $250,000. I like to say a quarter of a million dollars. She is a great friend and supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena," Mr. Currier said.
Assemblywoman Jenne, speaking after the meeting, said said she still recalls sitting at Mr. MacDonnell's kitchen table with MayorCurrier discussing the impact a Boys and Girls Club could have on the future of Massena.
"Ken had toiled for weeks, probably months, on a 'just the basics' renovation plan. And while I felt bad when I told him that I’d rather not fund that plan, I knew he would be up to the challenge of designing a larger-scale project so the club could make as dramatic an impact as possible. They certainly met that challenge. Ken figured out how to leverage every single penny I got the club," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
The concept of a Boys and Girls Club in Massena originated from the community's Neighborhood Watch program and dates back to 2012.
The Boys and Girls Club of Massena board closed on the purchase on Bayley Road property in January 2017.
Construction and renovation work, including a full asbestos abatement, was completed this spring, and volunteers from a number of clubs, organizations and local businesses donated time to do the final prep work, including lots of painting, necessary before the Boys and Girls Club could open its doors.
Mayor Currier said community members, organizations and businesses had also supported a capital campaign necessary to get the clubhouse doors open. "The names of 400 individuals, groups and communities that helped in that effort are posted in this building," he noted.
He also signaled out Mr. MacDonnell for his leadership role in the effort since day one. He said that effort has only intensified in recent months with the work at the club's home on Bayley Road.
"Ken and Darlene (MacDonnell) have put their personal lives on hold. For most of this year, he has been in this building. We think he has a cot hidden in here. Darlene has been here with him for much of that time. They really put their lives on hold so things here were done on time and done right," Mayor Currier said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the smiles on the faces and the shrieks of joy she had seen and heard inside the clubhouse late Wednesday afternoon demonstrated the goals she had heard discussed around that kitchen table three years ago had been met.
"We know Massena has its challenges right now, and it is important to have a space in the community where all children can go and just enjoy being kids - a space where all kids have access to technology, enrichment opportunities and positive role models. Young lives are going to be impacted due to the hard work of the volunteers and professionals who have teamed up to turn this dream into a reality," she stressed.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne praises the work of volunteers and supporters with turning a dream into a reality at a ceremony officially marking the grand opening of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena. She is flanked (l-r) by Boys and Girls Club of Massena Board of Directors members Charles Sears and Tom Saxby.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne praises the work of volunteers and supporters with turning a dream into a reality at a ceremony officially marking the grand opening of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena. She is flanked (l-r) by Boys and Girls Club of Massena Board of Directors members Nicole Terminelli, Charles Sears and Tom Saxby.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with Massena Mayor Timmy J. Currier, president of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena, after taking some time checking out students involved in the club's after school program.
Debra Donatto (r), chief professional officer and program manager at the Boys and Girls Club of Massena, tells Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne she has seen membership numbers skyrocket since the clubhouse opened last month.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Massena Town Councilman Steve O'Shaughnessy chat with others prior to the grand opening ceremony at the Boys and Girls Club of Massena.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Massena businessman Mike Kassian were on hand to get a first-hand look Wednesday of youngsters enjoying activities ranging from shooting pool to playing computer games at the Boys and Girls Club of Massena.
Massena Mayor Timmy J. Currier, flanked by members of the Boys and Girls Club of Massena, recalled the moment a few years ago when Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said she would work to secure $250,000 in state funding to assist in bringing a Boys and Girls Club to the community. He is flanked (l-r) by Boys and Girls Club of Massena Board of Directors members Nicole Terminelli, Charles Sears, Tom Saxby, Chief Professional Officer Debra Donatto, Dale Kramer, Ken MacDonnell, Sherry Thompson, Tim Lashomb and Tricia Wilson. Mr. MacDonnell, Mr. MacDonnell, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Lashomb, Anne Marie Lucid, Mr. Sears and Ms. Wilson have served on the board since the club was founded in 2013.
