June 4, 2004

MGH YouthCare program honors devoted friend

The new library at the MGH YouthCare program is a bright and cheerful room filled with books and toys for the many at-risk youth who participate in the program, which is part of the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center. The library is part of YouthCare's renovated space at 15 Green St. in Charlestown — above the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club — that has allowed the program to expand and enhance its services for children with social, emotional and behavioral disabilities.

YouthCare staff felt that it would be fitting for the new library, which is a much-needed resource for the children, to be named after a devoted friend who was a vital resource for the program — Francis X. Carolan (portrait at right).

Carolan, who died in July 2000, became involved with YouthCare (formerly known as Camp Bunker Hill) through his daughter Peggy Carolan, who is the administrative director of MGH Charlestown. According to his daughter, Carolan developed a love for the program in the 1980s when he helped organize the health center's summer picnics at Hale Reservation in Westwood, which was home to YouthCare's summer camping program.

It was no surprise to those who knew him that Carolan would devote much of his time and energy to the program. As a Chelsea firefighter for 37 years, Carolan was very involved with community activities and serving others. at a special dedication celebration for the library held May 5.

"His many friends remember him as an affable, humorous, dignified and all-around great guy."