Members of the Connors family joined elected leaders to cut the ribbon outside the Camp Harbor View space in the Southline Boston building on May 13, 2026. Mike Mejia/Mayor’s Office photo
Relatives of the late Jack Connors family joined Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and elected leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Camp Harbor View offices in Dorchester’s Southline complex last Wednesday, May 13.
The new Connors Leadership Academy, located at 135 Morrissey Blvd., will serve as the year-round hub for Camp Harbor View’s teen leadership programming and family services initiatives.
Camp Harbor View’s summer camp programming continues to operate on Long Island in Boston Harbor in the summer months, serving 1,000 middle school kids from the city each year. Another 200 high school students participate in a year-round leadership academy.
Wu delivered remarks alongside Camp Harbor View Chief Executive Officer Sharon McNally and Executive Vice President Lisa Fortenberry during the ceremony, which drew about 100 community leaders, supporters, and program participants.
Eileen Connors, widow of founder Jack Connors, cut the ribbon.
Above, inside Cape Harbor View’s new space in Southline Boston. Mike Mejia/Mayor’s Office photo
“Two years ago when we came to visit to think about whether this space might work for us as a year-round home, we loved it when we saw it, but we knew that it had to pass ‘the Jack test,’” McNally said, referring to the late philanthropist and business leader. “He wanted to know about the light sources and the ceiling height and the finishes and all the details that he was always so keen about.”
McNally said the project became possible after support from the Yawkey Foundation, led by board chair John Harrington, who was on hand for the ceremony.
“We started conversations with the Yawkey Foundation about what we consider a very significant grant to make this our year-round home,” she said. “And you said yes, and we are so grateful… for making this investment in us and for making this dream come true.”
Camp Harbor View provides free summer camp programming for middle school students, year-round leadership development for teens, and family support services, including a privately funded guaranteed income initiative. Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, the organization says it has served more than 10,000 Boston youth and family members.
Mayor Wu praised Camp Harbor View’s impact on Boston youth and families and said the new facility represents a long-term investment in Dorchester.
Mayor Wu chats with Camp Harbor View CEO Sharon McNally in the “Roslindale” conference room. Mike Mejia photo
“This space is about opportunity, community, and making sure our young people know that Boston believes in them,” Wu said. “Camp Harbor View has changed the lives of thousands of families across our city, and this new home will allow that work to grow for generations to come.”
The non-profit is the latest new tenant at Southline Boston, the 700,000 square foot building on the 16 acre site that once housed the Boston Globe. Other occupants include MassBio’s Bioversity life-sciences workforce training center and and biotech firms including Kelonia Therapeutics, ProFound Therapeutics, Flagship Labs 75, and Portal Innovations. Then athletic apparel company NOBULL is also housed in the complex, which now also includes a fitness center and food court.
The view of the Camp Harbor View space on May 13, 2026. Bill Forry photo
