Community Psych/Visionary/ Savage Leader/Passion Minister/ Writer/ TruthTeller/Innovator. Bruce is the Soundtrack of My life & Disciple of Pop. VIEWS R MY OWN
So the journey began on this day 35 years ago. Took a pay cut, arrived with snow falling & locked out of my office on 1st day. Sat & wondered what I was thinking! 3.5 decades later the journey continues. Find a job u love & you will never work a day in your life. Not done yet!!
For 31 years I have had the distinct pleasure of being North Andover's Youth Director and for 31 years I have witnessed a town start a program, build a youth center, support the building for last 20 years & make a commitment to our future mission. NORTH ANDOVER THANK YOU❤❤❤
On this day in 1987 I accepted the position to be No Andover 1st Youth Services Director. Started my 1st day on a snowy 1/4/88 & the journey began. Thanks to Carrie Crouch & David Rand for taking a chance on a kid with a dream
#Humble
#thankful
#30
Week before xmass and my boy
@GeorgesNiang20
sidelined I was passing on this game til the
@celtics
called my boy
@MichaelGorman4
to tell him they were honoring him tonight w/ their HERO AMONG US AWARD..Not missing that. Proud of you G. Wish Georges was here to walk out with you
Of course I am partial but the work
@MichaelGorman4
is doing in the Merrimack Valley is mindboggling. From starting
@TheMovementFam1
in college to his legendary work with the homeless & addicted is more than some will do in a lifetime. 28 years old & changing/saving lives.
incredible article in
@EagleTribSports
on NA Norah Connors. Fulfilling a promise to her Pops. I get to watch her ref sundays
@NAYouthCenter
with the
@MVYMCA
boys HS League. Amazing young woman so proud of her. Steve would be so proud of both his girls.
State super 8 champ, 2 straight trips to Tsongas, a super bowl title, nationally ranked track stars, a 40 year history of wrestling elitism, college lax players, champion youth teams We are not a 1 sport town as some say. Call like it really is.... NA is a SPORTS TOWN period
Ok that's a wrap!!!
8 Weeks of Sold out Programming
1400 NA kids serviced
150 NA College/HS kids Hired
No Covid Closures, just right pivots
Worst weather in 3 decades but weather lost
Smiles, Tears, Memories
Amazing parents
1 community / 1 mission
Whatever It TOOK
❤💯👍🤟
Potus can barely wear a mask, adults whine about wearing one for 15 minutes to go into a store and then there is our 130 summer staff who wear one for 5 hours a day, in 90 degree humid weather. They dont complain because they know what needs to be done for everyone safety
Sometime you meet a kid for the 1st time & you are blown away. Meet Xavier, met him Sunday. Thanked me for helping his fam then says He hopes to someday be a YC kid. I say what grade you in & he says 6th. I say X you start tomorrow. Such an amazing/ appreciative kid. love my job
Ok NA I will be out for a week after having successful hip surgery under the care of the 🐐 Dr Geoffrey Van Flandern & his amazing team at Shields Surgical. Demi is at the controls and she and the squad got everything set. Thanks for the best wishes. All ❤️NA
Its Go Time North Andover. For the next 4 hours families will be picking up and our high school & college kids will be loading up vehicles. This is why we do what we do. 118 families, close to 400 kids
#BESTDAYOFTHEYEAR
Got a visit from this guy today. Last time we will see La Machine til probably Thanksgiving. Only our 2nd employee to head off to the U.S. Naval Academy. All of us
@NAYouthCenter
are so proud of Jake and we also know this is where he wants to be. All Love Jake ! Change the World
Molly was crying for a week and I'm still crying. Molly Nugent is a SF legend. Her work over the years being a SF "Buddy" has been so inspiring. All of us
@NAYouthCenter
knew this day was coming but its still hard. Molly Nugent will change the world one day at a time
Going through 300 applications & I referenced the mentors kids had to write about passionately. So many names used multiple times but nobody was used more the
@NorthAndoverHS
teacher CJ GOOD ( 26 times with so many different reasons). You should be very proud CJ , Stay True!
Today a film crew filmed "A day in the life of
@GeorgesNiang20
" Crew followed him from breakfast, to weight room, gym, tour of Methuen etc. Humbled to be a small part of this special day for a kid that I love to death. Hey
@sixers
your getting a hell of a player & better person
My boy
@GeorgesNiang20
signing his 3 year contract with the Utah Jazz. Nobody has worked harder than G. So proud of him as a player but more importantly as the man he has become
There was a time when
@MichaelGorman4
was known as Rick Gorman’s son. Fast forward Rick Gorman is known as Michael Gorman’s father. The work
@TheMovementFam1
does is REAL WORK. No sitting around tables talking about homelessness they R out actually DOING THE WORK! ACTION NOT TALK
There are some people who talk about making a difference in other peoples lives then there are those who humbly change lives of thousands of people. I'm heartbroken beyond belief but I vow to keep his memory alive by continuing everyday to try to make a difference
#muchlove
I don’t get to see this guy as much as I want w/ the crazy schedule of a NBA player but he never forgets where he came from. Got to spend some time w/ the Pride of the Merrimack Valley
@GeorgesNiang20
before he heads back to Philly for the 2022-23 season. All love always my man❤️
2nd part of story. Jake leaves me w/ a thank you card. Keep everyone of these but inside is a check w/ instructions to give
@NAYouthCenter
memberships to 2 NA kids that may not be able to afford them w/ wishes that they can experience what he did over the last 7 yrs. Special kid
La Machine Jake Wolinski stopped by
@NAYouthCenter
as he prepares to head to Suffield Academy. Jake's passion and commitment to the YC is second to none. His resiliency and compassion to others is awe inspiring. We will miss you Jake. Keep making a difference
Happy to announce that Jenna Buco Sideri will be our Guest Speaker at this years Youth Appreciation Day in May. From member, to volunteer, to seasonal employee to now a member of the NAYRS Council as a mom/wife/educator. Looking forward to hearing 1 of my all-time favs
Great night seeing the kid
@MichaelGorman4
being inducted into the Methuen High Athletic & Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Incredibly proud of his MHS athletic career & the work he is doing 2 address Addiction & Homelessness in the Valley. Thank you Matt Curran
@methuensports
All 130 kids were given the opportunity to opt out after the training if they felt it was going to be too difficult to do the job. As usual NA kids all said WE ARE IN & we are committed to pulling off something that most thought was not doable a month ago. NA kids are real deal!
The BIG 33. Thirty Three years ago today [1/4/88] the journey began. Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life. The journey continues and some unfinished business: YC expansion, RecPlex, Even more services. Stay tuned!
@NAYouthCenter
I appreciate
@NASupt
giving me the opportunity to speak to our NA Building Principals this morning on our success this summer. I was able to tell the story, make suggestions/recommendations and share knowledge. We are in this together. Thank you Principals.
#collaboration
Happy to announce that former
@NAYouthCenter
kid & staff member Steve Boudreau has been selected as our Youth Appreciation Day Guest Speaker on May 25th. The present Tewksbury Educator & Head Basketball Coach will speak to over 200 YC volunteers.
@Bouda532
Told our 130 summer staff that this summer more than ever before the 4 hours the kids are with us might be the best 4 hours of their day. 3 1/2 months of being home & away from friends/connections is hard for kids. to my staff well done in week
#1
BE THE DIFFERENCE for 5 more❤😍
My two worlds !!! ❤️❤️ Everyone knows the incredible work
@MichaelGorman4
&
@TheMovementFam1
do but my daughter Lyndsey is an under the radar rockstar who volunteers every week. Known as “The Candy Girl” to the homeless , she brightens up the night. Love you two ❤️❤️
Summer is officially over when I send out my appreciation letter to our summer staff. This years letter was emotional. Our town owes a debt of gratitude to these high school/ college kids WHO WERE THE DIFFERENCE Look for my email Monday staff. Much Love & Gratitude to You All❤💯
Rise Up My Masked Superheroes! Week
#6
Day5. Drummond SF last day & 4 Closing Ceremonies😢. Too many emotions right now that we will ALL share at the Ceremonies but for YOU & those that follow the Daily Word it is 3 simple words.
"WE DID IT"
Thank you NA. BEST SUMMER EVER❤👏😷💯
Hold kids accountable! They won't thank you today, tomorrow, next week or this year but trust me someday they will seek you out and thank you with absolute sincerity
Thank you to John Caron who donated 2 tickets to tonight's Celtics /Magic game for a special young man. Unbelievable seats, but Josiah & Kyle report the Buffet might be even better. Thank you John for this experience & all that you and Meg do for us
@NAYouthCenter
Thinking of all those on the front lines of addiction clinics/ facilities especially my son
@MichaelGorman4
. They dont have a choice to work from home. Have to be in every day with limited protection to help a very vulnerable population. Salute to all those on the front lines ❤
Congrats to our part time employee and Youth Council member JAKE WOLINSKI for setting the North Andover High School record for most three pointers in a game ( 11)
@NAYouthCenter
You know how I know my summer staff can wear a mask for 4 hours a day because they wore one for 9 hours on Thursday without a complaint. Yes they are amazing so everyone who is complaining about wearing one for 20-30 minutes in a store stop being selfish & let's work together
I knew my FT staff of Demi, Justin & Kyle would handle the evacuation flawlessly but s/o to my new HS part timers who have been with us only a week who did an awesome job yesterday with the kids, assisting parents and securing our building
#proudboss
Sad moment closing up
@NAYouthCenter
. We all have to do our part during this difficult time. Thank U to Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues for her amazing leadership. Thank u to my Ft & Pt staff, u were all special. It has been a tough few days at YC but we will see u soon ❤
#LOVE
A day doesn't go by that we don't remember our former employee Tim Roberts. Honored to have Mr and Mrs Roberts present the Tim Roberts Memorial Award to MOLLY NUGENT tonight
@NAYouthCenter
@Reelinginadream
#neverforgotten
Just celebrated 19 years of the doors of
@NAYouthCenter
being open and on cue Downer Bros Landscaping is out cutting and pruning all our bushes and shrubs. For 19 years Chris & Nicole company has maintained our grounds free of charge. We are thankful beyond words
Not enough conversation over the years about
@NA_Athletics
Track program. Huge numbers, phenomenal culture, competitive, mentoring & coaching & oh yeah they flat out WIN! The winning is because of the sustained culture along with good talent. Congrats to all the coaches & players
For 6 weeks we gave the Kids of North Andover back their lives. Cooped up for 3.5 months they needed it and deserved it. My 150 staff needed it also. Our parents had our back from Day 1. The texts, emails, posts, calls pushed us everyday to BE THE DIFFERENCE
My experience at
@MarketBasket
was very good. Shout out to all the MB employees, all were outstanding. Store managers in complete control. Impressed with how customers may have even been nicer than my usual weekly trip. Stay safe, Be Smart and Be Kind.
We live in a scary time where people have forgotten what it means to be kind, respectful, compassionate to others. We in many ways have lost our way. We need to be better & we will cause I believe in our youth. The kids we service & the kids we employ. We showed it this summer
Thanks to
@StLouisBlues
Asst GM and friend of
@NAYouthCenter
Kevin McDonald The Stanley Cup will be making its rounds to Summer Fun Sargent, Summer Fun Drummond, Sports & Rec and Girls Just Wanna Have Sun. Going to be a great YC Day adding to our Best Summer Ever. Thank u Kevin
Like most I only knew Chadwick Boseman as an iconic actor but knowing now he did so many things battling stage3/4 colon cancer reminds me of my own brother's battle w/ Colon Cancer as a school principal went to work everyday w/ a passion for his students. F&CK Cancer, RIP CB & BG
Reading alot about fears from educators on returning to school &most of the fears are real but can we move on from the mask issue. Kids can wear masks! Running programs for 800 kids & kids are handling it well in 90 degree weather, they dont forget them, they understand why
Yeah thats Ryan Slattery working in the gym today. We had to save his job for a week because of something called a super bowl. Bit of a legend today with ms kids. Signing autographs but no du rag allowed
Shameless plug here as me and my amazing Assistant Director Demi got a private moment with the Stanley Cup. My hockey friends not happy this hoop junkie got this close to the Cup
We
@NAYouthCenter
so appreciate superheroes/ nurses Lauren McDonald, Cheryl Barczak and Caroline Ibbitson. Behind the scenes they have worked so hard to keep our summer programs safe during this toughest of all summers. We are so lucky to have you on our team. Be The Difference
A very sad story in the Globe on the 6 suicide deaths in Acton-Boxboro. We lost 2 7th graders within 6 weeks & unfortunately others over my 30 years. A reminder as a community that teen suicide is real & that we must continue to address the social/emotional needs of our youth
Before I go fishing far from civilization its time to shout out my squad that made this the best summer ever. Demi is more than the best Asst Director in New England she is the minister of information working endless hours with our parents. Could not do this without Demi
Gonna take the high road here. There were many people that said we could not do this, many secretly wanted us to fail, Some who didnt know the guidelines mouthed off, heard a pool predicting 1st Covid case. In the End Just Be Better!! We are supposed to be in this together as one
Humbled every year when
@NorthAndoverHS
awards the Rick Gorman Peace Prize at the Senior Class Awards Day event. Couldn't think of two more worthy winners this year Student Zoe Levin & Teacher Sarah Hickey are what this award is all about. All Love
@NAYouthCenter
@north_andover
Pretty precious reaction when we informed 14 middle school kids they have been selected to attend the
@celtics
game courtesy of
@TDBank_US
representing the
@NAYouthCenter
. Kids smiles, reactions never get old and never wil
End of the Road with special young woman. Started as a wide eyed NAHS soph now entering her final year at Penn State. Pandemic kept her from an amazing internship. Their loss was our gain as we got to spend one more summer with Lindsay @ the front desk. We will miss you kid ❤
Today we celebrate 36 years of NAYRS ✨ Thank you to our staff, volunteers, Board members, the town, and all of our supporters, as we continue to provide programs & services for over 3,000 youth each year! Huge thank you to Rick Gorman, our Director since it all began on 1/4/88!
Lights out
@NAYouthCenter
An incredible day to wrap up our week & the year 2021. We finished with announcing our 2022 Youth of the Year Congrats Emma. We faced more challenges in 21 but we faced them head on with passion & love❤ for our NA Kids. We look forward to a better 2022
36 years and these August Goodbyes never get easy. Gonna miss these two big time. Have had a front row seat watching their journey. Jamie heading to play Lax at UMass and Zach heading to Wesleyan to play hoop. Enjoy every minute
Hard to believe this guy grew up to be 1 of the biggest change agents in the Merrimack Valley founding
@TheMovementFam1
at the age of 18 and on the front lines everyday fighting homelessness & addiction. Those braces cost me some money
@MichaelGorman4
Pic courtesy of YC Archives
lights out
@NAYouthCenter
A sad day for our community as we lost a child 💔🙏Thoughts & Prayers to all those affected. The YC is following the lead of
@NorthAndoverHS
Crisis team & will be providing support 2 our kids. Parents hug your children. Children hug your parents. Be Kind
600 Summer Fun spots sold out in a world record of 8 minutes. We are exploring possibilities for the 180 on waiting lists and should have some clarity to our residents by Friday Night. Please be patient as we explore options
@NAYouthCenter
@north_andover
#strongertogether
5:15 pm & lights out
@NAYouthCenter
7 weeks down & 1 to go in the best summer Eva. Very emotional Thurs/Fri as we wrapped up 5 sites. Our closing circles tied the bow as we reflected on what we accomplished this summer. NA has something very few communities in the state have❤️
Not sure who gets more emotional, the parent that pens an emotional thank you email, me who reads it or the staff who listen as I Read to them how they (hs/college staff) made a young childs summer the best eva. Every kids counts! Best summer eva Best job eva
@NAYouthCenter
Excited to announce that
@NorthAndoverHS
Educator Conor Meehan will be our Guest Speaker at the 31st Annual
@NAYouthCenter
Youth Appreciation Day in May.
Got to say goodbye to another one of the Real Ones. Ryan Clunie heading off to Dean College. Gonna miss Ryan's passion for the kids. Comes from a great fam. I know his Dad is looking down from above with pride.
BTW Ryan is not taller than me; just much more hair
Up early & pumped for today. 8am we gather our summer staff for a 10 hour training. It will be hot, It will be challenging, we will adjust to wearing a mask, you will come out of your comfort zone, you will be prepared for THE BEST SUMMER EVER & YOU will BE THE DIFFERENCE!
#86400
I am BEYOND HAPPY to announce that TMF is officially a 501C3 Non Profit Organization! Wow.. Taking this all in. I sit back and think of the year 2011 when it all started. It’s been a journey these last 10 years. Thank you to everyone that has supported and Believed in TMF.
Always tough saying goodbye to our 1st year college kids but this one hit hard. Been connected with Brody since he was a shy middle school student. Lucky to have been part of his journey into young adulthood. All love Brody. Go change the world my guy
@NAYouthCenter
3 month planning went into rolling out our safe & healthy summer programs , now a 3 month plan for a safe fall reopening of
@NAYouthCenter
.Think Not an 18,000 square ft building but rather a 4.8 acre campus filled w/ safety guidelines, smiles, excitement, & fun. Think Differently
So I just finished reading 100 plus Pledges from our summer 2019 staff. in reading them I laughed, smiled, shed a tear and felt overwhelmingly proud to lead this crew to what We Know will be the BEST SUMMER EVER. Our pledges will hang in the
@NAYouthCenter
for the next 7 weeks
Rise up
@NAYouthCenter
squad Week
#3
Day 3. More Covid 19 restrictions than we can count, worst summer weather in years, but we got a community behind us and we got 800 kids that love & need us. Let's Be the Difference Today. We Got US!!!
Thank you to NAPS Special Ed dept for working with our staff on our kids that may need a bit more support. 3 years we have collaborated with
@NASupt
on making our summer programs all inclusive
Ppl talk about the kids today, that they are different. Yes they R they R more caring, more curious, more committed to making a difference & in light of how some adults R tearing down who we R as a people I put my faith in our kids especially the 120 working 4 me changing lives
The social/emotional concerns of our kids is a major concern. Kids struggling to handle life more than most know. We as a community are working hard but we need to do even better. We can't settle, we need to keep moving forward one step at a time, one day at a time
#facts
If you read only one thing today or anyday read this. This may have been Coach Walsh last lesson he got from his Pops but a lesson he carries everyday and one that by sharing gives us all real perspective. Thank you coach
Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life. S/O to Molly Nugent, from Summer Fun kid to one of the most respected counselors/buddies we have ever had. Drummond SF kids are so lucky to have Molly as a mentor
Our next podcast the week of June 28th will focus on the elite culture
@NAknightstrack
has built over a long period of time. We will hear from three amazing track athlete's Aisling, Molly and the Goose Man on what the culture is & why it has sustained.
Pretty awesome night! Remember the first night our Fields Committee sat around the YC talking about a master plan for the recreation fields by the middle school. So excited to see our dreams come true. Thank you NA
Proud of my staff Demi, Lauren and Kyle along with our college and high school staff for putting on a great 30th annual 8th grade Dress--Up Dance. This tradition continues to be a staple on our middle school dance schedule
@NAYouthCenter
Every year we talk about the
#1
profession of former Summer Fun staff and believe it or not its Nurses. We have had close to 50 go on to be nurses. Thinking about all of them today and sending them all MUCH LOVE ❤
#REALHEROES
6:20 Pm and lights out
@NAYouthCenter
! Not one person from
@GLFHC
, NA Housing,
@NAYouthCenter
staff & volunteers
@christina4rep
isn't absolutely exhausted but everyone would do it all over again because every vaccine recipient from age 65-90 were so appreciative of what we did