Waltham Boys & Girls Club unveils renovated preschool classroom

The Waltham Boys & Girls Club celebrated a major milestone Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly renovated pre-K classroom at the Waltham Childcare Center. 

The event marked nearly a year since WBGC officially acquired the long-standing child care center, a move that signals the club’s expanded commitment to early childhood education in Waltham.

Held at 760 Main St., the ribbon-cutting brought together staff, community leaders, volunteers and families to commemorate the transformation of the preschool space – now brightened with fresh paint, new furniture and donated books and toys. It also has an inclusive design. 

The renovation was made possible through a partnership with Heart of America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational spaces across the country.

“Our goal is to make sure that every young person who’s in our care has the resources, tools and access to education, preparing for kindergarten, ready to start kindergarten and ready to start in our school system,” said Erica Young, executive director of the Waltham Boys & Girls Club. 

The center, formerly owned and directed by Mina Kiani for more than 30 years, will be officially acquired by WBGC on Aug. 1. 

For Young, the transition is both professional and personal: All three of her children attended WCC. 

“I knew the value of this place. I just couldn’t let it close,” she said. “Our board of directors got behind it; it was a good fit with our mission.”

The renovation culminated in a one-day volunteer event led by Heart of America, where community members helped finalize upgrades. The organization has completed more than 1,400 similar projects nationwide since 1997.

“We understand that space matters,” said Tom Helwig, who as Heart of America’s senior vice president of operations represented the organization at the ceremony. “This isn’t just about paint and furniture; it’s about creating a place where children feel seen, included and empowered to learn. We’re proud to bring joy and equity into learning spaces like this one.”

Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy joined in the celebration, issuing a formal proclamation to commemorate the occasion and reminiscing about picking up her niece from the center decades ago.

“I want to thank the Waltham Boys & Girls Club and the board members who had the vision to realize that there’s a great need in the community,” she said. ”I want to thank you for helping with that need, and always doing everything with excellence.” 

According to Ariel Bjorkman, an 11-year WCC staff member, the transition from private to nonprofit leadership has brought increased support and opportunity. “Being part of a larger part of the community, as opposed to being privately owned, opens up a lot of resources and opportunities for us,” she said. “We have more support and more resources from the community that we are proud to be a part of.” 

The updated classroom will continue to serve children from 15 months old until kindergarten, with plans to integrate students into WBGC’s broader services as they grow. Those services include family resource offerings, after-school programming and summer camps. While the teaching staff remains unchanged, Bjorkman is happy to know that the Boys & Girls Club has staff members who are qualified by the state’s Department of Early Childhood and Education so that the center can enhance capacity.

Ward 6 Councilor Sean T. Durkee expressed enthusiasm about the upgrade. “This is an extension of [the Boys & Girls Club’s] great work in the community and the impact they have on the community,” he said.