April 2, 2024
Dear Members and Families of the Smilow Clubhouse in the Bronx,
As many of you know, the last several years have been very challenging for Madison. The multiple lawsuits against our organization related to decades-old allegations of abuse by a former volunteer doctor were difficult for all of us. While we were able to successfully resolve legal issues last year, which necessitated the sale of the Navy Yard Clubhouse, we have continued to be burdened by the financial obligations associated with them.
Following a thoughtful review of our financials, operations and footprint, our Board of Trustees has made the difficult decision to list for sale the Smilow Clubhouse in the Bronx as well as the field located next to the Murphy Clubhouse in Brooklyn. For our Smilow Clubhouse members, the most important thing I want you to know is that the Smilow Clubhouse will remain open for members for the rest of the 2023-2024 school year and through the end of our summer programming that concludes in mid-August. All other Clubhouses, including the Grimm Clubhouse in the Bronx, will continue with regular programming in the fall.
In addition, we will explore the possibility of using schools, community centers, churches or other sites as alternative locations for local programming in the Smilow Clubhouse area starting in the fall, so that we can continue to serve current and future members. As you may know, we were able to reopen our Navy Yard Clubhouse in February after selling the building last year. This gives me hope that we can find a solution that works for the Smilow Clubhouse community as well. I promise you that we won’t stop until we have explored every opportunity. I can also share that without City approval, a purchaser may only use the Smilow property for a children’s community center with educational and recreational programs.
This is a heartbreaking decision, and we wish we had another way to address our financial obligations. We will use the proceeds from the sales of these properties to reduce the financial obligations that have remained with us since the completion of the legal restructuring process. Our Board of Trustees and I are confident that these actions are necessary and will secure Madison’s future. After completing these transactions, we expect to maximize the use of donor funds to grow our programs and increase the number of members we serve.
We will be holding an information session for members and families at the Smilow Clubhouse on April 9 at 6:00pm, which I hope you can attend.
Through our daily encounters with the children and teens who spend time at our Clubhouses, we see how our commitment to academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles has helped them grow and thrive. Our mission remains vitally important, and we are committed to serving Bronx youth and other parts of the city for generations to come.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at tmcchristian@madisonsquare.org. Thank you for all your support.
Sincerely,
Tim McChristian
Smilow Clubhouse FAQ
What is happening to the Smilow Clubhouse?
● Following a thoughtful review of our financials, operations and footprint, Madison’s Board of Trustees has made the difficult decision to list for sale the Smilow Clubhouse in the Bronx as well as the field located next to the Murphy Clubhouse in Brooklyn.
● Madison will use the proceeds from the sales of these properties to reduce the financial obligations that have remained with us since the completion of our legal restructuring process last year.
● These actions are painful but necessary, and Madison is confident that they will secure our organization’s future.
Is the Smilow Clubhouse closing now?
● No. There are no immediate changes.
● The Smilow Clubhouse will remain open for members for the rest of the 2023-2024 school year and through the end of our summer programming that concludes in mid-August.
● We also will explore the possibility of using schools, community centers, churches or other sites as alternative locations for local programming in the Smilow Clubhouse area so that we can continue to serve current and future members.
Why is Madison selling the Smilow Clubhouse?
● The last several years have been very challenging for Madison.
● Madison had to undertake a legal restructuring process because of multiple lawsuits against the organization related to decades-old allegations of abuse by a former volunteer doctor.
While we were able to successfully resolve these issues last year, we have continued to be burdened by the financial obligations associated with them.
● Madison will use the proceeds from the Smilow Clubhouse and field next to the Murphy Clubhouse to reduce the financial obligations that have remained with us since the completion of our legal restructuring process.
● We wish we had another way to address our financial obligations, but we are confident that these actions are necessary and will secure Madison’s future.
Is Madison closing any other clubhouses?
● No. Our five other Madison Clubhouses will remain fully operational, and we will continue our programming at those locations as normal.
Where can I find out more information about this news?
● If you have further questions, you can contact Tim McChristian at tmcchristian@madisonsquare.org