We wish to take a moment to congratulate the Jordan Boys and Girls Club on its 30th anniversary, which the club celebrated at a party last Friday at its clubhouse on Willow Street.
Josh Kraft founded the Chelsea club in 1993 and for three decades it has provided boys and girls with a safe and welcoming atmosphere replete with outstanding programs in sports, the arts, and computer technology and education, all overseen by a dedicated, hard-working staff of professionals.
Josh was instrumental in the construction of a brand-new, $11 million clubhouse. The Kraft family, Gerald and Darlene Jordan (for whom the club is named), and others such as former state representative Richard Voke, were among the major donors who stepped forward and helped construct the state-of-the-art facility that features a gymnasium, swimming pool, a game room, classrooms, a cafeteria, and an auditorium for theater and music performances.
Today, Gina Centrella is doing a great job overseeing the club as its executive director, continuing the outstanding leadership set forth by Josh Kraft and Michelle Perez, who were so vital in setting the foundation for youths in Chelsea to continue on to college and their future careers.
The JBGC Breakfast Series, led by the committee of Mark Robinson, Mark White, and Josh Kraft has been a successful fundraiser, with appearances by noteworthy speakers, including Massachusetts governors, U.S. senators, state leaders, owners of professional sports teams, best-selling authors, and Boston’s foremost business leaders.
We know we speak on behalf of Chelsea parents, JBGC club members and alumni, and the entire community when we say, “Thank you, Josh Kraft,” for your extraordinary vision and support, the results of which continue to affect so many of our youth in such a positive and impactful way to this day.