About Us

Serving New Haven Kids & Families for 150 Years

At the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven, our mission is to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Founded in 1871, we are the third oldest of 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Generations of families have counted on us to inspire their kids to be the very best they can be, and we have been a second home to thousands of New Haven children and teens.

We’re known for our fun summer camp, safe after school programs, and great sports. But we’re so much more. We build the character of every child who walks through our doors. New Haven children and teens benefit from our professional caring staff who are using the Boys & Girls Club of America’s proven approach to youth development.

Leadership Team

Barbara Chesler

Interim Executive Director

Anthony Johnson

Director of Programs and Administration

Tharon Mayes

Director of Sports Programs

Ann McCarthy

Director of Resource Development and Communications

Alyssa Carr

Program and Volunteer Coordinator

Asadie Walters

Assistant Program and Membership Director

Board of Directors

Marilyn Burlenski

Burlenski Consulting

James L. Carr

Yale University

Peter Crumlish

Dwight Hall at Yale

Alex Discepolo

Globele Advisors

Stan Dombroski

Dombroski Hillis LLC

LaToya Gause

Marrakech, Inc.

Ronnell A. Higgins

Chief of Police, Yale University

Dr. Eric K. Holder

Yale School of Medicine

Daryl H. Jones

Access Health Connecticut

Jamie McAdam

CEO, F.J. Fahill Company Inc

Luretha McClendon Tolson, Esq.

Allied World Insurance Company

Dawn Meeker

Marcum

P. Gregory Mickelson

The Mickelson Company

Fallon Thomas

Yale University/New Haven Hiring Initiative

Our Staff

Thayla Casado

Youth Development Professional

Anita Dowdy

Youth Development Professional

Michael Downing

Youth Development Professional

Saharah Flake

Youth Development Professional

Daisy Hull

Operations Manager

Monique Long

Accounting and Human Resources Manager

Pearl McKee

Youth Development Professional

Cynthia Mitchell

Youth Development Professional

Francesa Napolitano

Site Coordinator

Anquane Nealy

Lead Program Specialist, Sports & Triple Play

Chrisma Phillips

Site Coordinator

Nathaniel Piggot

Lead Program Specialist

Rashae Reeves

Youth Development Professional

Bernett Scott

Youth Development Professional

Joslin Spivey

Youth Development Professional

Jose Suriel

Lead Program Specialist, Education

“They love the kids and have their best interests in mind.”

“They helped with my son’s social skills. He is not much of a talker, but by the end of summer camp he was a chatterbox!”

“Miss Chantel [Director of Programs] is great. She always ensured safety, was kind, was clear, and double-checked on the individual safety and care of my daughter.”

“It helped because I’m working and the kids get to see other kids.”