The Middlesex County Boys and Girls Clubs announces a $24,000 grant
from the Akamai Foundation to establish the new Wendy Ravech Robotics
Program in memory of the foundation’s late president. Ravech had a deep
commitment to bringing opportunities and inspiration to the Greater
Boston community and for programs that stimulate imagination while
helping children gain knowledge to help them in the future.
The funding from the Akamai Foundation will enable the Boys and Girls
Clubs of Middlesex County to launch a pilot program this spring at the
Cambridge Boys and Girls Club. Starting this summer, additional programs
will be offered in the Everett, Somerville and Medford locations, with
the goal of offering programs in all four clubs throughout the year. In
addition, Akamai employees will volunteer their time to mentor the
students in the program.
"We are thrilled to be able to support the development of this
important program in Wendy’s memory and to help increase awareness and
education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said
Paul Sagan, CEO of Akamai. "Wendy was very special to all of us, and
through this program we intend to provide a worthy legacy to remember
Wendy and the commitment she had to supporting the community.”
"This new partnership builds upon years of generous volunteerism by
Akamai employees,” said Erin Belitskus, the Boys and Girls Club’s board
president. "When Akamai learned we wanted to increase our capacity to
mentor children in STEM fields, they not only had confidence in our
ability to deliver an effective program, they immediately understood the
need for more experiential education opportunities in science,
technology, engineering and math.”
Since 2002, the Boys and Girls Club Cambridge Clubhouse has been
providing after school programs for children every day at its 119
Windsor St. facility. The new Wendy Ravech Robotics Program is modeled
after a proven program developed by Boys and Girls Clubs of America
using Lego MINDSTORMS robotics kits to engage youth in technology and
engineering skill building. Children ages 10 to 14 will access online
activities and videos to prompt hands-on construction while working
closely with Akamai employees to develop their own innovative designs.
This grant funds eight, eight-week sessions for approximately 200 club
members.
"We are excited that such a prominent company has become an important
investor in our Cambridge clubhouse and, most importantly, in the
Cambridge children who come to this safe place each day to learn and
grow,” said Chile Eng, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Middlesex County, which also operates clubhouses in Somerville, Medford
and Everett. "We consider Akamai our first Super Star Donor as part of a
new partnership program launched in 2011, and they have certainly
helped us reach our next level of potential in terms of programs that
children need to succeed in school and in their lives. For this we are
so grateful to Akamai.”
To learn more about becoming a corporate sponsor of the Boys and Girls
Clubs and its programs, call Chile Eng at 617-628-4665 or email
ceng@kidsclubs.org.