Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs – 23rd Annual Advocacy Day
James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn joined all 40 Clubs across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to celebrate the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs’ Legislative Day at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, March 12, 2026!
Our organization was thrilled to share in celebrating State Representative Richard M. Haggerty as the 2026 Champion of Youth from the House of Representatives. Rep. Haggerty has a longstanding history of being a staunch advocate for our Club’s mission, first for about a decade on the Woburn City Council and since 2019 as our representative on Beacon Hill. In addition to being an alumnus of the Club, his grandfather was one of our organization’s original founders. As House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Representative Haggerty works on behalf of youth and families across the Commonwealth.
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Massachusetts. The Clubs do incredible work every day, giving kids a safe place after school, helping with homework, and providing essential support to families who need it most,” said Representative Haggerty. “I’ve witnessed that impact firsthand in my own community. I’m incredibly proud of our local Club in Woburn and its dedicated leaders, and of my family’s seven decades of involvement. It means everything to me to carry on that legacy of investing in the young people of our community.”
Board Chair Marshall White, Executive Director Julie Gage, 2025 PFC Joseph L. Drew Youth of the Year Megan Sheehy, and Board Member Colleen Sheehy were present at the event’s luncheon to congratulate Representative Haggerty.
It was a particularly special day for the McKeown Boys & Girls Club, as Megan Sheehy, the 2025 Massachusetts State Youth of the Year, was the featured speaker at the luncheon as well. “I am a person who likes to help others because the Boys & Girls Club helped me, and nothing could ever lessen the impact that the Club has had on my life,” said Megan.
Learn more about the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.