Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/385222
Kraft strives to make a personal connection with kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs, like this young girl at the Chelsea center. new teen center opens in Mattapan this October and the Boys & Girls Club in South Boston gets an $11 million renovation. "We want to broaden our reach and deepen our impact on kids." Out the window, a crowd of children spills into the hallway. "Oh, there's my daughter," Kraft says. "She's working here for t he summer." He f lips to his feet and leads me out to the mass of yelping pre- teens, high-f iv ing t hem a nd a sk ing about t heir brothers and their sisters and their parents, all of whom he knows by name. He then lingers with one poised young lady named Julia. Fourteen-year-old Julia Agostini has been com- ing to the Boys & Girls Club since she was 6 years old. "I've k now n Josh pret t y much since I ca n remember," says Julia, who was raised by a single mot her of t wo in Chelsea. T he club beca me a n extension of her family, with Kraft playing a lead- ing role. When Julia's mother passed away recently due to ca ncer a nd her 20 -yea r- old sister beca me her guardian, K raft and the club's entire support system ra llied a round her. "They helped me get through the toughest part of my life when my mom died, which I am extremely grateful for," she says. "Josh has always been there for me. He's truly an amazing guy. He has played a part in helping create the young lady I've become." Whatever was left unsaid in that rec room about K ra f t 's mot ivat ion is a nswered by watching his interact ions w it h k ids like Julia. T hey ca ll him "Josh" and are completely at ease with him. In their compa ny, he comes a live. T his is his element. Follow ing t hem into t he ca feter ia, he snatches a ha m a nd cheese sa ndw ich a nd t a kes a bite. He doesn't just wa lk t he wa lk—he eat s t he lunch. For a ma n in his posit ion, K ra f t is g iv ing somet hing more va luable t ha n money. He's g iv ing his t ime, his experience, and his friendship. After finishing a basketball game of Around the World, during which K raft drained five of his first seven shots, it's time to visit the Boys & Girls Club in Charlestown. When we get there, it's more high- fives with the kids, more ribbing with the staff. No one ma kes a f uss about hav ing t he president in their midst. Popping into a preteen center during lunch, a son of one of the staffers approaches him. "You're Bob K raft's son?" the child asks with wide eyes. K raft nods. Wonder fills the boy's face. "You must be rich!" he blurts out. K raft smiles. "No. I'm Josh." bgcb.org BC Charity register Opportunities to give. DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE What: Celebrate empowered women at the frst cocktail party for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Young and Strong Program, which raises awareness about breast cancer in young women and provides support for those who have battled the disease. All proceeds beneft Young and Strong, a program of Dana-Farber's Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers. dana-farber.org When: October 17, 7–11 pm Where: Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf UNICEF What: Join model, TV personality, and Unicef honoree Heidi Klum for the Children's Champion Award Dinner, an evening devoted to individuals striving to meet Unicef's goal of saving every child from dying of a preventable disease. The organization hopes to surpass the $912,000 raised at last year's event. Local philanthropist Barrie Landry will be honored with the Helenka Pantaleoni Humanitarian Award for her devotion as a donor to the US Fund. A reception will be followed by a live auction and dinner. unicef.org When: October 30, 6:30 pm Where: The Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St. MELANOMA FOUNDATION OF NEW ENGLAND What: Strap on your dancing shoes for a good cause at the Shades of Hope Gala. Heather Unruh of WCVB-TV 5 will emcee the event, while Bridget Brunet, Miss New Hampshire USA 2014, will share her melanoma survival story. The evening will include live and silent auctions to beneft those affected by the disease. The organizers hope to exceed the $250,000 raised last year to support programs that reduce the risk of melanoma and increase awareness of the harmful effects of the sun. The night will conclude with dancing until midnight. mfne.org When: November 21, 6 pm Where: The Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St. BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER What: Uplifting families through healthy nutrition will be the focus of Boston Medical Center's 21st annual Food for Thought dinner. The event raises money to feed and support hungry children and their families throughout the Boston area, some of whom are patients at the Grow Clinic for Children, the Preventive Food Pantry, and other pediatric programs at the center. The evening will include cocktails and a seated dinner. Last year's event raised $1.4 million. bmc.org When: November 24, 6 pm Where: Mandarin Oriental, 776 Boylston St. "EvEry singlE kid that comEs in thE door is affordEd thE samE Equal opportunity." —josh kraft 74 bostoncommon-magazine.com PeOPLe spirit of generosity