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

Won Jung

Director of Programs and Family Services

Tharon Mayes

Director of Sports Programs

Ann McCarthy

Director of Resource Development and Communications

Brian Tompkins

Director of Programs, Physical Education & Fitness

Board of Directors

Marilyn Burlenski

Burlenski Consulting

James L. Carr

Yale University

Peter Crumlish

Dwight Hall at Yale

Leon Davis, Jr.

The Hartford

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

Kanicka Ingram-Mann

New Haven Public Schools

Earle J. Lobo

Yale University

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

Program Staff

April Blango

Health Coordinator

Jesse Campbell

Youth Development Staff

Alyssa Carr

Youth Development Staff

Dianne Chase

Site Coordinator, Bishop Woods

Anita Dowdy

Youth Development Staff

Michael Downing

Youth Development Staff

Zoe Fisher

Youth Development Staff

Tyriq Harris

Youth Development Staff

Shakira Henry

Youth Development Staff

Daisy Hull

Site Coordinator, Columbus

Sasha Lee

Membership Coordinator

Monique Long

Payroll Manager

Johnae McCarthur

Youth Development Staff

Melody DeBlasio

Virtual Program Director

Azia Morris

Youth Development Staff

Adrienne Morris

Front Desk Attendant

Chrisma Phillips

Site Coordinator, West Rock

John Roberts

Bookkeeper

José Suriel

Youth Development Staff

Asadie Walters

Assistant Program Coordinator

“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.”