RBTV (Ron Burton Training Village) was founded in 1985 by Ron Burton, who was the number one draft pick of the original New England Patriots in 1960. He was an African American establishing roots in the Boston area at a time when the city was experiencing significant racial issues and embroiled in controversy over student busing. His vision was to create a place where underserved youth with backgrounds like his own, could learn, grow, and succeed in life. Ron spent his life savings purchasing 305 forested acres of land in Hubbardston, MA where he established the Ron Burton Training Village.
RBTV began their programming by focusing on a 5-week summer camp for at-risk boys with a 7-year enrollment commitment of its students. The camp program grew, and by 2014, they were ready to expand to full-year programming. Once that initial expansion was underway, they continued building on their strengths to include girls. They now run The Leadership Journey for boys – a mentorship program that builds strength and perseverance through intense training sessions, academic support, and ACT/SAT prep – and STEM Journey for girls, which is a project-based learning journey that combines scientific innovation with physical fitness and spiritual growth.
Partnering with The Lynch Foundation
The Lynch Foundation is proud to have supported Ron Burton Training Village for two and a half decades. Ron and his family built RBTV on the pillars of love, peace, patience, and humility taught by his grandmother, who raised him in a home poor in material comforts but rich in philosophy of faith and good works. The Lynch Family shares these values and have built a long-term partnership based on shared beliefs.
The Foundation’s sustained support over the last two and a half decades has ensured:
- Over 9,000 students have been supported with love, peace, patience, and humility
- 100% of RBTV alumni graduate high school annually, and 89% graduate from college. Each year, institutions such as Bentley University, Stonehill College, West Point, the Naval Academy, and Mass Maritime Academy award full scholarships to 45% of RBTV alumni.
- Beyond college, RBTV has developed partnerships with some of the city’s leading companies, such as Deloitte, Bose, John Hancock, and Commodore Builders, to provide internship opportunities to their alumni. 20 internships are awarded each year, and 75% of interns secure positions with these companies following their internship.