Meet Paul Epstein, a longtime social worker at Brookline High School and the co-founder of the Brookline Teen Center in Massachusetts. For decades, Paul has supported students from a wide range of backgrounds who are not only navigating the challenges of adolescence and high school, but often facing significant adversity outside of school. 

As an alumnus of Brookline High School, no one understands life at this public school more than Paul. Along his nearly 25-year-long career serving students in Brookline, he has helped students overcome problems such as food insecurity, housing instability, lack of access to healthcare, family strain, and trauma of all varieties. 

Back in his own school days, Epstein played soccer at BHS and was involved in the school’s extracurricular activities. After high school, he continued to play soccer at Wesleyan University, where he eventually received his Bachelor’s degree in Classics. 

One day after soccer practice, Paul’s team captain told the team that they would be volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program that he led on campus. Paul was paired with an 11-year-old boy to mentor in a one-on-one friendship. As soon as Paul met his “Little,” he knew he wanted to pursue a career in social work. The unlikely pair formed a friendship that has lasted decades and inspired Paul to make a lasting impact on the children and young adults in his community. 

Following his undergrad, Paul began working at The Home for Little Wanderers as a child care counselor in a residential unit. Here he gained valuable experience outside the university classroom that shaped the way that he perceives social work. Because of this, Paul remains a strong advocate for ‘learning while doing’ which he has demonstrated to his peers throughout his career.

A year after beginning his work at The Home for Little Wanderers, it was time for Epstein to continue his education inside the classroom. Paul began attending Boston University for his Master’s degree in Social Work. Throughout his time at Boston University, Epstein continued to serve as a child care counselor. 

Shortly after graduating from Boston University, Paul was on the hunt for more social work opportunities in Greater Boston. While interviewing for another Home for Little Wanderers position, Paul was interviewed by his future wife, Saskia. They had both gone to Brookline High School at the same time, however they did not know each other. Just a few years later, Paul would be headed back to his alma mater, but this time as a licensed social worker to give back to the community that brought him up. 

Quickly, Paul became part of the fabric that binded BHS together. Now married to Saskia, the couple continued their social work services to children and families across the metropolitan area. They both had a dream to open a teen center in their hometown for generations of children and young adults to come. Paul, Saskia, and the students of BHS began to plan different initiatives that could one day be included in an afterschool program for kids of all backgrounds and interests. The least thing that Paul wanted was for students to feel pigeon-holed into one area of expertise, he wanted them to be ‘learning while doing,’ the exact mantra that Epstein has kept constant throughout his professional and educational life. 

At the same time as their brainstorming process, Paul and his twin brother Theo began the creation of the Foundation To Be Named Later. The name was created from a common trade term used in Major League Baseball: Player To Be Named Later. It perfectly described the unscripted and entrepreneurial spirit of the foundation. The Foundation To Be Named Later would bring Major League Baseball players and famous musicians together to help disenfranchised children in and around Boston. The brothers host their signature event; Hot Stove Cool Music, every year in Boston. This year legendary rock band Cheap Trick will be performing at the Paradise Rock Club. Since the inception of the foundation, over 225 students have received $1.25 million in grants.

After the immense success of the Foundation To Be Named Later, Paul, Saskia, and Theo continued their efforts in opening the Brookline Teen Center. Paul wanted to make sure that the children of Brookline had a say in what would be put into the teen center. Following years of planning, the Brookline Teen Center opened in 2013. Paul’s vision was cemented and adolescent students of Brookline had a third space to “engage in their community and emerge ready for college, career, and beyond,” (Brookline Teen Center). Local students can choose from a plethora of activities each week that span from playing pool, basketball, volleyball, and bowling to recording songs for BTC Records in their state of the art music studio and getting a head start on college and job searches. 

“While he never played rugby,” his friend Matt Shaffer jokes, “he would’ve made an excellent 8-man or second row.” Paul is the kind of person you would want on your team, in any kind of situation; especially difficult ones. Shaffer says “Paul makes the hard yards not only possible to gain, but he makes it look easy, and does it with optimism and gratitude.” 

The Free Jacks are looking for Impact Free Jack nominees from all walks of life and every corner of New England who have the power to transcend boundaries and create a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others. Honorees will be celebrated at each of the Free Jacks’ home games. 

If you have a colleague, neighbor, friend, or loved one that deserves recognition for their community contributions, please nominate them here.

This partnership with Massachusetts State Lottery aims to highlight and reward everyday heroes who embody the values of service and community, aligning with the Free Jacks’ mission of making a positive impact both on and off the field.

Be sure to buy your tickets for the Free Jack’s 2024 season so that the Free Jacks’ faithful can honor these Impact Free Jacks! The home opener at Veterans Memorial Stadium will be on Saturday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m. EST versus NOLA Gold.

For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news

Image Featuring: Tania Marino (Right)

 Get Involved Today

If you know someone who has made a lasting difference in your community, now is the perfect time to share their story. Help the Free Jacks celebrate the unsung heroes who make New England a better place for us all. Submit your nominations and let’s celebrate the power of kindness, generosity, and community spirit!

To nominate someone or learn more about the Impact Free Jack Honoree Awards, click here.

For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news