On Wednesday, May 13, Mayor Michelle Wu, Senator Nick Collins, Representative David Biele, Councilor John FitzGerald, Representative John Francis Moran, Representative Chris Worrell, the Yawkey Foundation, and the Connors family joined us for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the Connors Leadership Academy! 

CHV Executive Vice President Lisa Fortenberry kicked off the festivities by welcoming everyone to our permanent, year-round home in Dorchester. “We are thrilled beyond belief, our young people have been thrilled, our families have been thrilled, and we are so excited be a part of this community in Dorchester,” she said. 

CEO Sharon McNally then spoke on the two-year journey from initial conversations to this exciting moment, thanking John Harrington and the entire Yawkey Foundation, Matt Stegall, Mike Loring, and Rick Alberino for their support in making our dream become a reality. And of course, remembering that none of this would have been possible without the vision of Jack Connors. 

Mayor Michelle Wu also celebrated this monumental moment by saying: “I am always honored to be in a space where we are with Jack and with the entire Connors family, and talking about what matters most: the relationships and bonds we build with each other, the opportunities that we create for our young people, and the sense of hope and opportunity that Camp Harbor View represented from the very beginning.” 

She went on to say: “This is an incredible home, as we are trying to make Boston a home for everyone, and Camp Harbor View is a very critical piece in that.”

Senator Nick Collins, who has been involved with Camp Harbor View since 2014, then spoke on what an incredible opportunity it is to bring the energy and excitement of the island to our new home in Dorchester. 

The event concluded with the Connors family joining the CHV team and elected officials to cut the ribbon and officially open the Connors Leadership Academy!