IMPACT REPORT 2023

2022 – 2023

SquashBusters’ mission is to challenge and nurture urban youth as students, athletes, and citizens so that they recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life.

To the SquashBusters Community,

 

Change, both happy and poignant, was in the air at SquashBusters this past year, as we crafted programming to respond to lessons learned from COVID, watched our new home in Lawrence begin to rise, and prepared for the retirement of our founder, and my personal mentor, Greg Zaff. In that spirit of change, we are trying something new with this year’s SquashBusters Impact Report as well — an abbreviated printed version, along with this more in-depth one online.

I joined SquashBusters two decades ago at the age of 12. Growing up in Dorchester, there were very few organized sports programs, and almost none that offered the incredible combination of experiences that SQB did — academic support that helped me improve throughout the years and graduate from Bates College; daily activities that encouraged me to grow up with health and fitness as a priority; and caring staff and volunteers who connected me to the larger world and introduced me to my closest friends.

That same carefully crafted experience exists today, with each opportunity being added block by block to form a truly exceptional program for our students. This past year at SquashBusters, we focused on solidifying our foundation and ensuring that our students received all the pieces necessary to form a rich and meaningful SquashBusters year. Over 300 students participated in an impressive number of academic tutoring and enrichment sessions, including financial literacy classes, career conversations with music producers, scientists, and nurses, and mindfulness and meditation training.

Almost 70 students experienced life on a college campus, immersed themselves in demanding coursework, and improved their squash game as they attended summer programs from Washington University in St. Louis to the University of Rochester, Temple University, and Amherst and Williams College.

Finally free from COVID constraints, students kept the squash courts popping with hours of practice, tournaments, and free play. And Providence became the first SQB site to crown a US Squash Boys U13 Bronze National Champion.

Lastly, SQB teams dove into their communities, making cards and care packages for senior homes and women’s shelters, cleaning parks, serving meals, and raising money for the MSPCA.

The SquashBusters program is a blend of these rich ingredients and more, each made better by you, our community of supporters— families, educators, volunteers, donors, professional squash players, and staff. You all contribute a vital piece to SquashBusters, truly making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. So, thank you once again for believing in the power of sport, education, community, and love to change the world.

Rodney G.
Senior Development Officer

Character

  • SquashBusters students spent over 1,150 hours engaging in community service with organizations such as The Pine Street Inn, Rosie’s Place, Groundwork Lawrence, and Dorcas International.

  • Overnight trips with organizations like Movement Education Outdoors built community and taught our students independence and resilience.

  • Two students were chosen to participate in the Squash and Education Alliance Changemakers Tour, where they had the opportunity to travel to New York and Washington D.C., visit the White House, and meet with Attorney General Merrick Garland and other members of the Department of Justice.

Health

  • This year, students spent more than 100 hours practicing, training, and improving their squash game.

  • 140 students competed in 16 different US Squash and Squash and Education Alliance tournaments.

  • SQB teams played in 34 local squash matches against schools like Milton Academy, The Winsor School, Brooks School, and Moses Brown.

  • Workshops on mental health, bullying, social media, healthy relationships, and classes in yoga and meditation expanded students’ understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

  • Our On and Off the Court with Kids summer program kept 97 students engaged, active, and connected to SquashBusters, with everything from fishing and playing mini golf and tennis to running, and of course, practicing squash.

  • Thanks to support from SquashBusters and the Squash and Education Alliance, 10 students attended week-long squash camps over the summer at schools such as Harvard University, MIT, Amherst College, and Williams College.

College

  • Students maintained an 87% attendance rate, demonstrating a deep commitment to the program and ensuring a maximum program dosage.
  • 100% of SQB students spent time on one or more college campuses, exposing them to a variety of post-secondary options.
  • With the help of SquashBusters and the Squash and Education Alliance, 11 students attended academic summer camps at schools such as Brown University, Temple University, University of Rochester, Washington University in St. Louis, and The Hotchkiss School.
  • Students participated in skill-based learning such as Girls Who Code, Junior Achievement, Financial Literacy for Youth Initiative (FLY), and First Aid.
  • 21 of 21 members of the SquashBusters class of 2023 enrolled in a meaningful post-secondary program.
  • Students are attending a variety of 4- and 2-year colleges including Bunker Hill Community College, Middlebury College, Northeastern University, Northern Essex Community College, St. Joseph’s College, Tufts University, Union College, and UMASS Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell.
  • 2 students are enlisting in the military with plans to continue their education later.
  • 75% of students will graduate with no student loans, vastly increasing their professional flexibility and career choices.

Career

  • SquashBusters’ post-secondary team worked with 145 students.
  • 90% of students were enrolled in a post-secondary program or engaged in meaningful work.
  • SQB students maintained a 97% persistence rate in their post-secondary programming.
  • SQB awarded $100,000 in scholarship money to post-secondary students in FY23; 75% received some type of support from the organization.
  • SquashBusters assisted in placing students in summer internships at organizations like EY, Westfield Capital Management, Quilt AI, National Marine Life Center, Beam Therapeutics, MFS, City of Melrose, VietAID, and Wellness in Motion.
  • 15 post-secondary students graduated in 2023.
  • Graduates secured employment at places such as Loomis Sayles, McLean Hospital, and SquashBusters, while others are pursuing advanced degrees including a Master of Accounting at Northeastern University, a Master of Engineering at Tufts, a Master of Education at Boston College, and a Master of Education in Community Engagement at Merrimack College.