Brookline Teen Center Introduces New Executive Director

May 22, 2012 - PRLog -- BROOKLINE, MA (May 21, 2012) The Brookline Teen Center (BTC) did not have to go too far to find its new executive director.

Matthew Cooney, a 1991 graduate of Brookline High School who returned to his hometown five years ago, will assume the role on June 18, after rising to the top of a competitive field of applicants by demonstrating outstanding leadership, and community-building and fundraising skills.

Cooney, whose three children attend Brookline public schools, comes to the BTC from Walker, an organization that provides academic and therapeutic support for children with severe emotional and behavioral issues. He served as Director of Residential Services for seven years, based at Walker’s Needham campus.

According to Paul Epstein, BTC Founder and Board Chair, “We are ecstatic to have Matt aboard as our Executive Director. He has an excellent record of inspiring youth, volunteers and donors, and exceptional management skills. He will be a tremendous leader to open the new Brookline Teen Center and guide the organization through this exciting next phase.” The Teen Center will fill a gap in Brookline, which has no dedicated youth center, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club or JCC. The result of a seven-year, teen driven effort, the organization is focused on providing safe and healthy out-of-school activities for all teens who live or attend school, public or private, in Brookline. Since 2006, more than 100 teen interns have spent their summers working side-by-side with adult professionals conceptualizing the center, creating its architectural plans, developing a website and brochure, crafting by-laws and rules of conduct, and engaging donors.

Cooney is looking forward to the challenge of his new role. “This position is a perfect fit for me. I care deeply about Brookline and I am excited to assume a leadership role within the community as the Teen Center Executive Director.”

Under the guidance of Epstein and part-time Interim Executive Director Tom Mendelsohn, the BTC has successfully passed several critical milestones to ensure its success. The BTC now boasts: a 25-year lease; completed permitting with the Town of Brookline; detailed architectural plans; and a $4m bridge loan from Brookline Bank to finance construction. The BTC will break ground very soon, and the hiring of Cooney is a crucial step toward launching the organization. According to Mendelsohn, “The board, volunteers, donors and – most critically – the teen interns, can be proud of what has been accomplished. It will be under the focused and talented leadership of Mr. Cooney that BTC will garner sufficient funds to complete construction and reach the $10m goal that will ensure the construction and ultimately the long-term success of the new Brookline Teen Center.”