More than 200 guests gathered at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center on June 12 to honor Mary Gunn, the outgoing executive director of Generations Incorporated and former leader of the Bird Street Community Center in Dorchester’s Uphams Corner.
The two-hour cocktail reception focused on Gunn’s impact as a mentor. Among the attendees was Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools Tommy Chang; Dianne Kelly, Superintendent of Revere Public Schools; Joshua Kraft, Nicholas President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston; Jason Sachs, Director of Early Childhood Education at Boston Public Schools; and Mike Festa, State Director of AARP MA. David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Over her 15-year tenure, Gunn built Generations Inc., into a nationally-recognized and innovative intergenerational organization focused on supporting and developing the literary skills of young readers in Boston and Revere. Before taking over leadership at Generations Incorporated in 2002, she served as Executive Director of the Bird Street Community Center in Upham’s Corner for 12 years, engaging in the development of Dorchester’s youth.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve at the helm of this powerful organization to help redefine the impact that an older adult has in the lives of the youngest children in our schools,” Gunn said. “They are community leaders, mentors, and close friends. I have learned so much from my volunteers.”
Whether with her work in Uphams Corner, or at Generations Inc., Gunn has remained dedicated to bridging the gap between youth and their elders within the community, using the strength intergenerational connections to facilitate developmental learning for young people. Her model of mentorship will have a lasting impact on the future of mentorship amongst different organizations throughout Boston.
Generations Inc.’s Board President Harvey Salgo said in a statement, “We couldn’t be prouder of Mary’s leadership, and we look forward to many more years of partnering children with older adults to help young readers flourish in Boston, Revere, and beyond.”
