Chappaqua Teens Raise Funds to Build Sports Pavilion at Residential Treatment Facility

Young men from Chappaqua recently gathered on a sunny June afternoon at the Goldsmith Center for Adolescent Treatment to dedicate a sports pavilion, picnic tables, and benches, built with $25,000 they raised. Joined by their parents and the staff and residents of the Hawthorne-based residential treatment facility, the 11 teens officially dedicated the new addition to the center’s athletic field.

Their fundraising started three years ago as a volunteer project in preparation for their upcoming b’nai mitzvah. Every three weeks, these boys, ages 12 and 13, laced up their sneakers, grabbed their water bottles, and headed out for a friendly game of basketball.

The opposing team: a group of 15- to 17-year-old residents at the Goldsmith Center, which serves young men with complex emotional issues and challenging needs. The center is run by The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS), which is supported by UJA-Federation of New York.

Despite their differences, they were just a group of teen boys on the court, shooting hoops with an opposing team of teen boys. When the games ended, team members joined together for pizza and conversation. With rundown tables and nothing to shield them from the sun, the young visitors realized what a covered space and updated picnic tables and benches could mean for the center and its residents.

That’s when the group — which continued to play Friday afternoon games at Goldsmith Center for three years — decided that they would raise funds to build a pavilion and seating. This was done under the auspices of Mitzvah & Milestones, a UJA-Federation initiative designed to add a philanthropic component to milestone celebrations.

“The foundation of this simple structure here at Goldsmith rests on UJA-Federation’s commitment to providing a better future for our community through acts of tzedakah and friendship, both great and small,” explained Donna Divon, UJA-Federation’s Westchester manager of community and volunteer services.

Those friendships — and commitment to philanthropy — grew over the years.

“I remember when we met the boys four years ago, they looked like little boys. Now, they’re 16 and they’re so tall and grown up,” said Jeff Shapiro, senior director of Westchester Mental Health Services at JBFCS. “We are so grateful for the time you have given to this program over the past four years and for this beautiful gazebo. It’s a game changer for us to have it here, next to the basketball court.”

Residents at the Goldsmith Center have very personal stories of trauma and survival. At the center, they receive therapeutic services, study at an on-campus special-ed school, and live with their peers in a caring and safe environment — in some cases, the first one they’ve ever had.

“We were wondering how many of the boys we got to know well would still be at Goldsmith. We saw three boys we played basketball with this past fall, but all the rest weren’t there this time,” said William Gregson, 16, of Chappaqua. “I miss some of the guys, but it’s a good thing they were able to go back to their families. That’s the goal of the Goldsmith program.”

Perhaps most important, the boys have found real meaning in their involvement, continuing their relationship with the center long after their b’nai mitzvah. There’s talk among the group of pursuing additional fundraising efforts for their Goldsmith friends, whose $5 monthly allowance is limited.

“I felt really proud of what we did as a group,” said Brian Unger, 16, of Chappaqua. “And when the Goldsmith boys came to celebrate with us and I saw how happy they were, I felt like we made a difference.”

Photo Caption: Mitzvah & Milestones Participants: (from left, top row) Sam Platt, William Gregson, Brandon Spiegel, Justin Abrams (from left, bottom row) David Altman, Adam Glotzer, Brian Unger, Ethan Kahn, Jack Baron, all of Chappaqua. Missing: Jack Berkey, Harris Klein

About UJA-Federation of New York

For more than 95 years, UJA-Federation has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and Jews everywhere, to connect people to their Jewish communities, and to respond to crises close to home and around the globe. Working with nearly 100 network beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, UJA-Federation is the world’s largest local philanthropy; our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.