PORTLAND — Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine is thrilled to announce a transformative $2.5M gift from Jerome (Jerry) and Pamela Bruni of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in honor of Jerry’s parents James and Hilla Bruni, longtime residents of Portland.
This contribution is the lead gift to BGCSM’s “A Place for Growth” capital campaign to fund the future renovation and expansion of the organization’s Portland Clubhouse and campus on Cumberland Avenue. The expansion plans include a 13,000 square foot addition to the Portland Clubhouse designed to serve teens and young adults, which will be named the James and Hilla Bruni Bridge to Success Center.
Jerry and Pam Bruni’s transformative gift to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine is rooted in a story that began almost 100 years ago, when Jerry’s father James Bruni first walked through the doors of what was then the Boys Club in Portland. As a teenager James found in the Club a place of encouragement, belonging and purpose — qualities that would shape his life’s trajectory. The Club’s mentors not only offered him recreation and camaraderie but also instilled self-confidence and a belief in his own potential.
As an adult, James volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club in Portland for as long as he was able. In 1975 he was named the club’s “Man of the Year” for his volunteer work. His devotion to helping young people was part of the fabric of his life, and his son Jerry grew up watching him lead, teach, and guide with quiet determination.
James Bruni was born in Portland to Italian immigrants. He graduated from Portland High School and worked for the Railway Express Agency and the Maine Central Railroad. He met Hilla Gorwalla in India while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. In the 1970s, Hilla worked as a legal secretary for the law firm Bernstein Shur in Portland.
“The connection with my father, the connection with youth, the connection with advancement and development to become productive and working members of society — those were at the top of our motivations to give this gift,” Jerry reflects.
Jerry and Pam see that their gift will enable more than just a building. They see the Club’s future campus as a bridge that will connect the generosity of past generations with the aspirations of the next, ensuring that young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have access to skills training and relationships that will open doors to opportunity.
Jerry says, “You can change the trajectory of the lives of young people by showing them caring, concerned adults who have nothing to gain but the joy of seeing people succeed.”
“Jerry and Pam’s generosity reflects the very best of our community,” says Brian Elowe, CEO. “Their belief in the potential of young people is exactly what makes this project possible. Their investment is not only in a building — it’s in the lives of kids and teens who will grow here, learn here and thrive here for generations.”
The James and Hilla Bruni Bridge to Success Center will add capacity to the existing Portland campus on Cumberland Avenue, doubling daily attendance to 500 members. The new center will feature specially designed spaces for teens to access not only traditional programs in academics, arts, leadership and health & wellness, but also three large “garage bays” for hands-on training in the trades. BGCSM will continue to support elementary and middle school members in the renovated club house. With this project, BGCSM will stay true to its core mission while ensuring access to world-class facilities, equipment and staff that will prepare and propel our teen and young adult members into the workforce, contributing to Maine’s communities.
The new center will carry forward James and Hilla Bruni’s legacy of lifting others up, offering a place where encouragement leads to curiosity, curiosity leads to skills, and skills lead to a lifetime of contributing to the community. Jerry and Pam hope their gift will inspire others to see the profound ripple effect that one act of generosity can have by not only transforming individual lives but also by strengthening the entire community for generations to come.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine has been a trusted and enduring presence in the Portland community for over a century, providing a safe, nurturing environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. With programs spanning academics, technology, the arts, physical activity, and leadership development, BGCSM empowers youth to reach their full potential.
