cKeesport CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
LaRosa Youth Club invites community to grand opening
The LaRosa Youth Development Foundation hosted a grand opening celebration on September 8 — inviting the community to take part in a brief ribboncutting ceremony to reopen the club that has been a staple in McKeesport for decades .
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA closed its McKeesport location ( the LaRosa Boys & Girls Club ) in 2020 . Through the establishment of a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization and mediation by local and state officials , the LaRosa Youth Club opened its doors in that same location in September .
The LaRosa Youth Development Foundation was created in 2020 to further the 76-year legacy of Samuel R . LaRosa , his wife Della , and their family ’ s commitment to serve the youth of McKeesport . The foundation aims to provide mentorship , programming , and character-building opportunities , as Mr . LaRosa did , beginning in 1945 . The LaRosa Youth Club offers homework help , athletics , STEM activities , art , teen programming , and hot meals . The club is open Monday through Friday after school .
The City of McKeesport acquired the original Ravine Street club that Mr . LaRosa ,
opened in 1957 . The facility was able to reopen thanks to generous donors and the LaRosa Youth Development Foundation ’ s partnership with Mayor Michael Cherepko , state Sen . Jim Brewster , and state Rep . Austin Davis , who grew up playing ball , making friends , and being mentored at the original club .
Executive Director James Barry Jr . said the clubhouse is “ a place where kids can come and know they ’ re going to be in the hands of caring staff , they ’ re going to be taken care of and get their homework done , they ’ re going to get a hot meal and they ’ re going to have fun .”
“ I couldn ’ t be any more proud to be here and know that this club , with the passion you have in this leadership , this club is going to be here for a very , very long time ,” Cherepko told Barry , adding that he became emotional listening to other speakers and attendees talk about the impact Samuel LaRosa and the club had on them .
For more information or to register a child , email info @ larosayouthclub . org .
Scan to Donate .
MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ FALL 2021 17