East Boston Times 2010 Woman of the Year East Boston YMCA Executive Director Joey Cuzzi with Governor Deval Patrick during the Y’s annual breakfast at the Logan Hilton.
Joey Cuzzi
It’s hard enough keeping a non-profit afloat in these tough fiscal times but its unheard of to raise enough money to expand. Try telling that to East Boston YMCA Executive Director Joey Cuzzi and she’ll say there is a need and with that need there has to be more programs for East Boston families and youth.
This year the YMCA opened a new facility on Ashley Street across from St. Joseph-St. Lazarus Church under Cuzzi’s direction and for her efforts to continue expanding youth and family programming in the neighborhood Cuzzi is the East Boston Times 2010 Woman of the Year.
The sky’s the limit for the East Boston YMCA’s new facility on Ashley Street.
The Y put $50,000 of improvements in the old church hall which included updates to the gym, bathrooms, the hall’s fire system, new doors and windows and a much needed paint job.
Cuzzi said the began renovations in the spring in order to get the site up and running in time for the Y’s 2010 summer camp.
“This really is a great addition to the East Boston YMCA and we look at this new facility as an extension of Bremen Street,” said Cuzzi.
The Y signed a three year lease with the Boston Archdiocese for the building with another three year option after the original lease runs out.
The building, which had been vacant of community activity for a number of years with exception of the Orient Heights Neighborhood Association, has been turned into a vibrant community center and offering a variety of health and wellness programs for adults, families and children.
The building opened on June 28 as home base for the Y’s camp, and will be programmed this summer in the evenings and weekends for children, adults and families.
“We are planning everything from dance classes to aerobics to family days,” said Cuzzi. “We can really grow in this space so it’s very exciting.”
Members of the East Boston Y, have member privileges at the Ashley Street location.
“This means you can use the gym and its regulation size basketball court during open gym times, and will be entitled to member pricing for programs that require a registration fee,” explained Cuzzi.
The two story building includes a lower level hall which is handicapped accessible, and a 4,000 square foot gym on the main level.
“The building will be staffed by the Y and held to the same standards of operation as Bremen Street, with all instruction provided by trained and certified YMCA employees,” said Cuzzi. “Your current membership card will allow you access to Ashley Street.”
View Comments (6)
Josephine your the best!!!!!!!!!!
We are so proud of you.
Keep up the good work.
Love you dear friend.
Linda
o h yeaqh that was the Saint Lazarus youth center _ I played ball there every week -went and belonged to the Cyo 7 HOLY NAME THERE tHE BASKETBALL COURT ISNT REGULATION AND HAS A FLOATING FLOOR--WATCH OUT IN YOUR LAYUPS1
tHOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIENDS _ fATHER tOMA HE WAS A VERY GOOD PRIEST--HE WAS VERY KIND & COMPASSIONATE AND he BUILT THE sAINT lAZARUS PARISH RECTORY SCHOOL CONVENT AND THE YOUTH CENTER.. WE HAD OVER 100 CYOERS IN OUR cyo. THE RECENT ACCUSATIONS AGAINST FATHER TOMA ARE ABSURD AND WERE MEANT TO CAUSE HIM DISGRACE! THE ACCUSER SHE EXAGGERATED 7 SHE IS A lesbian! __
I REMEBER BACK! THEN
HER CHARGE WAS REVIEWED ABND FATHER TOMA WAS EXONERATED --HE WASN'T & ISNT A PEDOPHILE PRIEST THIS CARDINAL O"MALLEY IS VERY WRONG TO DEFROCK A GOOD & KIND & DEDICATED & TRUTHFUL PRIEST> THRU ALL HIS SHEPARD SERVING TIME AT SAINT LAZARU!!
CARDINAL O' MALLEY RUNS OFF TO IRELAND TO PROTECT IRSIH PEDOPHILE PRIESTS __A FALSELY&SINFULLY "DEFROCKS FATHER Toma '---- WHO WAS DECEASED AT THE TIME --COULDNT DEFEND HIS SELF !!!! AND THE cARDINAL GOES AHEAD DOES A GREAT SINFUL INJUSTICE TO DEASED fATHER TOMA. I DEFIINATELY THINK --BEYOND ANY DOUBT THIS ---SATAN IS IN CARDINAL OMALLEY. ---
Congratulations Josephine!!!! I'm thrilled that all of your hard work and dedication hasn't gone unnoticed.. East Boston is soooo lucky to have you in their corner. You've done well dear friend.
Love you,
Cathy N.
I worked with Joey until I retired. She is a great person and a natural leader. She also has a great team of people who help her make her visions becom reality. Like the Patriots, the YMCA is a real team of caring, hard working individuals. They are winners because they never give up on anyone and because they have great leaders like Joey, Wendy Zinn, and Gail Klimas. Joey's recognition is terrific and overdue. Congratulations!!
Vinny
way to go Auntie!!!! Love ya, Cherie <3<3
I graduated in 1960, My sister in 1959. My sister at a very young age was sexually mishandled by Father Toma. In my sisters defense, who is also deseased I regreat that my extremely religious grand mother refused to beleive any of it. Along with the rest of the family 26 cousins, aunts, etc. my sister was chastized at the ahe of 7 to never speak that way again about the great Fr. Toma. My mother was the only one who beleived her but did not bring it to the attention of officials, because she was forbidden by our stricly religious Italian family.Therefore my sister lived with this all her life and never brought it up again starting from age 7, in 1952. I beleive the woman 100% about Toma. I wish I knew who she is. Thank you for speaking up against Toma. My entire family, who are still living NOW beleive my sister, however she died at the age of 56, 10 years ago, and unfortunatly never expressed that to her. Father Toma was admired and respected by me and my extended family, however, what he did to Diane, is a disgrace