BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The BASE obtained ownership of its Roxbury facilities with the help of the Yawkey Foundation.
The BASE is a sports-based non-profit that offers space and programs for young people who want to participate in athletics.
When the building they operated out of went up for sale, there was a chance that they would lose this home.
With a $1.5 million grant from the Yawkey Foundation, however, they were able to purchase the space, renaming it the Yawkey Urban Sports Complex: Home of The BASE.
Chairman of the Yawkey Foundation John Harrington spoke of how donations like this came from the family’s desire to give back to the youth.
“Tom and Jean Yawkey, as they matured in life, embraced young people. He had a great emphasis on the Jimmy Fund and things of that nature,” Harrington said. “They started boys homes down in the South Carolina, so their nature is basically to reach out to young people. It would always involve some sports.”
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President and CEO of The BASE Steph Lewis talked about how grateful he was for this grant and how it allowed from them to keep their organization moving forward.
“This is the Yawkey Foundation stepping up for urban Boston,” Lewis said. “We're just so proud to be a part of that narrative and part of this ride with them and just very proud to have partnered with the Yawkey Foundation for this opportunity.”
The Yawkey name has been one of controversy over the years due to its connection with discrimination and racism in the Red Sox organization during Tom Yawkey’s tenure as owner.
Despite this, the organization continues to emphasize its philanthropy for Boston’s youth.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Mike Macklin (@mikemacklinwbz) reports.