Natick Business Owners Impact Youth and Families Around Boston

NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS - Baylee and Debbie Donovan, owners of Baylee Bee in Natick, have been long-time supporters of Friends of the Children-Boston (Friends-Boston). As a child, Baylee was paired with one of the youths (known as Achievers) served by the organization through a program called Family Friends. Though that program is no longer offered, the connection between the family and Friends-Boston has continued to grow stronger.

The Donovans have been long-time sponsors of Friends-Boston's annual Friend Raiser gala and other events, and they have also continued to financially support the Friends-Boston program directly. Additionally, they have donated countless articles of clothing for Achievers and their families.

On Sunday, October 22, the doors of Baylee Bee were opened for 12 Achievers to have a special shopping trip. Achievers were each given a budget and allowed to choose clothing items to take home with them - an exciting opportunity for those who are interested in fashion and design. For many of Friends-Boston's Achievers, new clothes are a luxury that their families are often not able to afford. To have new clothes to wear to school or to an event provides them with a boost of self-confidence that leaves a lasting impact.

"We are privileged to be part of this incredible organization," said Debbie Donovan, co-owner of Baylee Bee. "Clothing insecurity is just one fraction of the host of challenges these children face daily. New and/or gently-used clothing is a way for kids to express themselves and feel confident in their own skin, which boosts their mental and emotional well-being. When we don't have a choice in what we wear due to lack of access, it can disturb our sense of self and how we fit into the world. Friends-Boston shines a light in so many ways on their Achievers and as a society, we should reflect and ask ourselves how we would feel without the basic necessities that we so often take for granted."

"We're always excited to join with our partners in the community to give Achievers new opportunities and experiences, and the Donovan family has been a long-standing and generous partner," said Shané Lewis, Friends-Boston's Assistant Director of Program for Adolescents. "The impact of an experience like this is lasting and powerful. We're grateful to the Donovans for showing our Achievers that the Friends community cares about them, and that leaves them feeling uplifted and empowered."

The impact of this opportunity on Friends-Boston's Achievers will be lasting, and the generosity of Baylee and Debbie Donovan highlights the differences that businesses and their owners can make within communities. Baylee Bee represents just one of the many businesses and organizations who have partnered with Friends-Boston to make life-changing impacts on the lives of youth in and around Boston over the last 20 years.

Friends of the Children-Boston
184 Dudley Street
Suite 100
Roxbury, MA 02119

Press Contact: Jason Lang - Jason.l@friendsboston.org

ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN-BOSTON

Friends of the Children-Boston is the only professional mentoring organization in MA providing 12+ years of programming to children facing multiple systematic obstacles starting in kindergarten and working with them until they graduate high school. Kindergarten through Graduation, No Matter What! To learn more, visit www.friendsboston.org.

This release was published on openPR.