About Us

Nearly 150 Years of Service to New Haven

At the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven, our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Founded in 1871, we are the second 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

Chantel Gray

Director of Programs and Family Services

Tharon Mayes

Director of Sports Programs

Ann McCarthy

Director of Resource Development and Communications

Board of Directors

Marilyn Burlenski | President
Burlenski Consulting

Dawn Meeker |1st Vice President
Marcum

Stan Dombroski | 2nd Vice President
Dombroski Hillis LLC

Alex Discepolo | Treasurer
Globele Advisors

Fallon Thomas | Secretary
Yale University/New Haven Hiring Initiative

James L. Carr, Yale University

Peter Crumlish, Dwight Hall at Yale

Leon Davis, Jr., The Hartford

LaToya Gause, Marrakech, Inc.

Ronnell A. Higgins, Chief of Police, Yale University

Dr. Eric K. Holder, Yale School of Medicine

Kanicka Ingram-Mann, New Haven Public Schools

Daryl H. Jones, Access Health Connecticut

Earle J. Lobo, Yale University

P. Gregory Mickelson (Past President), CEO, The Mickelson Company

Gary Sklaver, Licari, Walsh & Sklaver, LLC

Luretha McClendon Tolson, Esq., Allied World Insurance Company

Program Staff

Melody DeBlasio

Anita Dowdy

Michael Downing

Tyriq Harris

Daisy Hull

Sasha Lee

Asadie Walters

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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.