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Freshman’s Non-Profit Helps Create Opportunities Abroad

Children in poor countries get chance for an education

By Melissa Beecher | Chronicle Staff

When he’s not in the rink practicing his slap shot or in the library focused on schoolwork, Boston College hockey forward Brooks Dyroff spends his free time in a way few of his friends or teammates realize.

The freshman is co-founder of a non-profit organization that helps provide educational opportunities for teenagers in developing countries. CEO 4 Teens (Creating Educational Opportunities 4 Teenagers) is run entirely by Dyroff and his childhood friend and University of North Carolina student Kenny Haisfield, so 100 percent of all proceeds can go to the programs’ participants.

“I really don’t think of it as all that remarkable,” laughs Dyroff. “We saw a way to make a difference in the lives of young people and decided to go for it. What has been pretty incredible is the support that we have found through donors and the students’ drive to continue with their education.”

In 2007, Dyroff and Haisfield, both from Boulder, Colo., established CEO 4 Teens after Haisfield returned from a trip to Southeast Asia to visit his grandmother. In that first year, the duo raised $10,000 and sponsored 10 students to attend English and computer classes at Campuhan College in Ubud, Indonesia.

Since that time, CEO 4 Teens has expanded to Taiwan and launched a microfinance initiative in Indonesia to award graduates of the program loans that will enable them to start small businesses. The organization has continued to sponsor 10 students each year to attend college classes.

Locally, CEO 4 Teens is working to help Boston-area teenagers obtain their GEDs through classes at Roxbury Community College. There are plans to bring the program to local elementary schools and pair BC athletes with low-income students to establish a mentorship program.

“Both Kenny and my families have always pushed the value of education and the value of community service. We both grew up knowing the importance of education and have seen the difference it can make in people’s lives,” said Dyroff.

“I was lucky enough to attend prep school in Andover (Phillips Academy),” said Dyroff. “It taught me to love learning, not just to get the grades. I believe in the whole idea of human capital – improving people for the betterment of society — and that we can solve some of the world’s larger problems if we focus on individual improvements.”

Dyroff said he is touched by each of the stories from the students in Indonesia. Many come from families that need their incomes or labor in the rice fields to survive. During the past summer, Dyroff traveled to Bali to interview perspective students for the awards.

“We sought out the kids who had applied for the scholarships and I visited places and family compounds where people were living with 30 of their relatives. The students would explain that their parents were making $30 a month – less than $1 a day sometimes, It was heartbreaking to see those conditions,” said Dyroff.

“At the same time, I’ll never forget how grateful the kids and families were to be given the opportunity to continue their education,” Dyroff said. “We had kids, entire families break down in tears when we awarded the scholarships. I’ll never forget my trip there.”

Dyroff, who has an interest in film production, took film footage from the trip and created “A Drop in the Bucket,” an eight-minute documentary. The film became a marketing tool to explain to donors the purpose of the program, but also gained recognition in film festivals around the country. It was named the 2008 Best Student Documentary at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the Bayou Inspirational Film Festival and the Kids Film Festival.

Dyroff said he hopes CEO 4 Teens continues to grown, both internationally and in the Boston area – all that while pursuing his degree and a career in hockey.

“There is a balance — sometimes it’s difficult — but there is a balance,” said Dyroff. “The results – whether it’s getting a good grade on a paper, winning a game or seeing that people are interested in learning more about CEO 4 Teens – are all very rewarding.”

To learn more about CEO 4 Teens or to make a donation, visit www.ceo4teens.com.