Marisol Lopez, Associate Director for Gift Systems
Growing up in Dorchester, Massachusetts during the 80s and 90s was challenging, gang violence and drugs were a staple in my neighborhood. As first generation Americans and under the guidance of my parents, my two brothers and I were determined to excel in school and make it out without tipping the negative scale of statistics where too many of our peers had landed.
My eldest brother, Mauricio a.k.a. Coach Mo, believed in and wanted better not just for us but for our community. He motivated and inspired my brother and I to “get involved”. In 1997 he established the Metro Boston AAU Basketball Program. Together, throughout the years, we have worked tirelessly to gain sponsors and to provide our players with both athletic and academic support.
We are now an official program of the Boston YMCA and the Metro Boston AAU program is one of the most well rounded programs in the northeast. We have alumni that are professionals (private, public, non-profit, education, collegiate, NBA and NFL) , in college, giving back (volunteering, mentoring, donating) and raising their own families. Most notably, UConn alumn and current Brooklyn Nets player Shabazz Napier and a 2011 Columbia College grad, Asenso Ampim.
Our motto is Family First. Our mission is to provide young adults with the necessary skills to succeed on the court but more importantly in life.
