I almost cried when I saw it.”

ROZARIO DOS SANTOS

Angst defined the teenagers of the ’90s, but cool, calm and collected might be better words to describe teens today — at least for some teens at the Boys and Girls Club in East Providence. Their bid for a better place for gaming became a life lesson on advocacy, leadership, community organizing — and patience.

“I almost cried when I saw it,” said Rozario Dos Santos, gazing at the collection of photos displayed on one of the walls. This was part of her vision for the space she helped design. The wall shows photos of the students who have been coming to the club over the years. It’s not the first thing to be noticed when walking through the door, though. 

To the left, dark lighting gives way to a room full of colorful bean bag chairs. Straight down the hall is where the wall of photos can be found, right next to a tall, round table with stools. In the main area, a wall of technology anchors the space, surrounded by couches and armchairs. 

Douglas Beckman, smiling broadly, confirmed that the space came from a vision board. “This space was created from a vision board we made together and presented to the board; we got $15,000,” he said, proudly. 

Erin Gilliat, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of East Providence, explained that the space was designed to feel more like a college campus than anything else. “The vibe they were going for was a college campus one,” she said, adding that the design process was about more than just creating a space — it was a learning experience. “For them, it was a mini advocacy project,” she stated.

Santos and Beckman are some of the leaders at the Boys and Girls Club and a part of the Think, Learn, and Create Change advocacy program, which empowers young people to advocate for themselves and others. 

The core group of teens that make up the leadership at the East Providence Boys and Girls Club approached Gilliat with a request for a new space for gaming. Though the idea of a gaming area could be dismissed as a waste of space, Gilliat saw it as an opportunity for advocacy. She challenged them, stating, “I need you to make a vision board and slides and present it to the board.” She explained, “Often, teens get dismissed by adults as just being teenagers.” She wanted to see them advocate for their vision.

When they presented their vision via Zoom to the board, Santos, Beckman, Gilliat and others in attendance were shocked by the response. Gilliat recalled the board telling the teens, ‘The only problem is that you didn’t ask us for enough money.’ The teens had initially requested $8,000, but the board allocated $15,000 to help make their vision a reality. 

Teen space opens 
The goal was to create a “third space” concept — a community space for teens where they could interact with “cool” adults who could mentor them. The teens were involved in every step, from choosing the lighting to designing the wall of electronics, the photo wall, and the bean bags. “And it looks so cool,” Gilliat commented on the finished product. 

She recalled a time when Beckman, eager to hang out in the space, drove all the way from a Wendy’s in Seekonk, even though the space wasn’t open yet. “Him traveling to hang out there speaks to the power of having a space,” Gilliat said. 

The teens presented their vision to the board in July 2023. The space had a soft opening in September 2024, with the official unveiling taking place on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Gilliat said the advocacy project taught the teens a valuable lesson — nothing happens overnight. 

Any teen can visit the space, with parental permission, even if they aren’t members of the Boys and Girls Club. “We don’t charge for any of our teen programs,” Gilliat confirmed. The space is mostly used by teens from East Providence High School, but some come from private schools, while others bring friends from other towns or even other states.