Crossroads’ Urban Campfire Raises Over $540,000 to Serve Greater Boston Youth
On Thursday, May 9, Crossroads celebrated its 11th Annual Urban Campfire at the Revere Hotel in Boston. With nearly 300 guests in attendance and more than 80 sponsors, the event raised over $540,000 to support Crossroads’ summer and school year empowerment programs for children and teens from Greater Boston who rely on Crossroads for a safe space to explore, to discover themselves and their potential, and to positively impact the world.
“This year’s Urban Campfire has been an enormous success thanks to the amazing work of our Urban Campfire Committee led by co-chairs Amy O’Connor and Carolyn Campanelli and the support of our many sponsors and guests,” says Crossroads President Simon Hess. “Our programs help young people build the essential skills required for success in school, college, career and beyond. Thanks to everyone who supported the Urban Campfire, we will continue to nurture young people as they build the leadership and social-emotional skills required to become physically and mentally healthy adults, socially engaged citizens, and economically independent professionals.”
This year’s Urban Campfire featured an interactive program where guests had the chance to experience a simulated day at camp by taking part in different activities in our GROW-BUILD-LEAD Villages, led by Crossroads Youth Ambassadors and Summer Staff. Guests solved connectiles puzzles to reveal a hidden message, wrote well-wishes for first-time campers this summer, and wrote thank you notes to C5 alumni who currently serve in the armed forces.
The speaking program featured Class of 2018 Crossroads C5 Leaders Graduate, Joao Paulo Pecanha Ferreira (“JP”) who was introduced by his mother, Fatima, who explained the enormous impact Crossroads played in her life as a parent. JP joined Crossroads after second grade and spent ten years in the program before heading off to Loyola University in Chicago last year. In reflecting on his time with Crossroads C5 Leaders, JP said “I saw both myself and my peers grow from Crossroads, and it’s why I strongly believe we are true youth leaders. We are not children in need, but children proven to overcome adversity. Our time is not limited to those moments we spent at Crossroads; we have a future.”
We are so thankful to each and everyone of our guests and donors for helping our young build the future they wish to see. We are especially appreciative to those who were inspired to take part in the Crossroads Summer Camp Challenge that was launched during the event with the goal of sending as many young people to camp as possible. We were able to raise an additional $30,000 during the event, and gifts are still coming in! If you feel inspired to give, please visit crossroadsma.org/donate-to-the-urban-campfire/.
Many thanks to our Presenting and Lead Sponsors: Anonymous, Bill and Lynda Glavin, LAZ Parking, The Kelleher Family Charitable Trust & the Pyramid Hotel Group, The George Macomber Family Fund, and to all of our sponsors for making the event a tremendous success. Thanks also to Island Creek Oysters who has donated oysters to Crossroads events for over 10 years.
To see camp and our inspiring, vibrant youth in action this summer, please contact Jaime Wendel, Manager of Donor Relations and Events, at jaime@crossroadsma.org.
