Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod breaks ground on J.C. Galbreath Teen Center in Mashpee

The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod on Wednesday held a ground-breaking ceremony in Mashpee for the J.C. Galbreath Teen Center, a new space the club says will give older teens a dedicated place for academic help, mentoring and career exploration.

Jim Carley, president of the club's board of directors, opened the program by thanking lead donor Dick Gelb and a slate of major supporters and volunteers, and he noted that "the town of Mashpee gave us the land to build the teen center on." Carley called the project "an investment in teens" that will contribute to "safer communities, stronger families, a more resilient workforce, and a brighter future." He also recognized the capital campaign and build committees and the club's executive director, Ruth Probst.

Ruth Probst read short notes from teens who helped design the space, quoting one that said, "I can't wait," and stressing that older teens will finally have a place separate from younger children. Lydia Graybill, the club's teen director, described the youth-led planning process and named students who advocated for specific features — including an art studio, a weight room and a makers room — that reflect teens' interests and needs.

Lead donor Dick Gelb told a family story about his grandfather J.C. Galbreath and the values of saving and sharing that inspired the building's name. Carley and several speakers emphasized local partnerships: architect HBA Design worked on the plans, and Delphi Construction — which the organizers noted has an office in Mashpee — was selected as the construction partner.

State and local elected officials attended and offered support. State Senator Dylan Fernandez thanked the town and sponsors and said legislators secured earmarks to help the project, while Representative David Vieira recounted a multi-year effort to complete the land transfer and said the delegation obtained about $75,000 through earmarks under the Fair Share Act to begin funding the center. Representative Kip Diggs and Representative Steven Xiarhos also praised the project as an investment in children.

Town Manager Mark Collins and the select board were acknowledged for their partnership and for helping keep the project on course. The district attorney offered brief remarks of appreciation for the club's work, and the new superintendent of Mashpee Public Schools, identified as Michelle, said she was moved and described the center as a crucial partnership for students.

Organizers invited donors to take hard hats and personalized shovels for an outside photo opportunity before returning inside for a light lunch. No formal vote or legislative action took place at the ceremony; speakers framed the event as a celebration of community fundraising, municipal cooperation on land provision, and the next steps toward construction and programming.

The club and its partners said they will continue fundraising and work with state legislators to pursue additional support as construction and program planning proceed.