Squash grows as city sport thanks to volunteer effort

Squashbusters has been helping inner-city kids since 1997. It started with 30 youngsters but now has over 5,000 in the Boston area,  from 6th graders to seniors in high school. Squashbusters works with inner-city kids from three different schools: Patrick F. Gavin in South Boston, Dearborn Elementary in Roxbury and Timilty Middle School in Boston.

"We want kids to expand their horizons, and to challenge themselves," said Doug Lifford, the group's program director. "We use squash to help kids grow."

"I have been involved with Squashbusters on multiple levels," said Nadeen Correia-Gomes, the student support services coordinator at Dearborn Elementary. "First as a parent with my own children then I became connected with them on a professional level here at the school, and I also help them with chaperoning when I have the chance." Correia-Gomes said other programs should be modeled after Squashbusters. "It's not just about hitting a ball, and it is not a case of get them, correct them, and forget them."

The coordinators at Squashbusters get involved with the kids through social skills, homework and academic support and home visits." She said her own children enjoyed Squashbusters so much they even attended their summer learning program.

The Squashbusters organization is separated into two parts--playing squash and doing school-based learning and activities. "Squash is just the catalyst of getting the kids here," said Lifford. "We also work with them with their academics."

Students from Dearborne and Gavin meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Squashbusters facility, which is located on the campus of Northeastern University. Students from the Timilty School meet at Squashbusters on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm until 5 pm. The students do an hour of homework, an hour of academics and an hour of squash. The kids also have to commit to three hours of community service each month.

"We have a school curriculum and work with academic coordinators who help our kids," said Jen Lillis, the academic director of Squashbusters. "We offer tutoring and homework time for the kids. We also communicate with our schools by checking up on the kid's report cards."

Squashbusters has a staff of 10 full-time employees including a licensed therapist. Lifford has noticed a spike in the number of volunteer applicants due to the recession. "We have noticed a boom in volunteerism," he said. "People don't want to stay idle but we have noticed our fundraising is way, way down." Squashbusters is funded through private donations and grants with limited advertisements. "We participate in a job fair at Northeastern," said Lillis. "We have a lot of work-study students from Northeastern who help us in our academics role."

Imme Kaschner, a German national, has been volunteering more at Squashbusters since she has recently lost her job. "I am not currently working and I wouldn't be able to make the six hour commitment otherwise," said Kaschner. "But there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with less of a commitment such as every other weekend for a minimum of three hours." Kaschner volunteers on the court for three hours a week, and in the classroom for another three hours a week. "I have always loved playing squash," said Kaschner. "I feel it's a win-win situation. You certainly don't have to be a squash pro to help out."