Stephen Whalen 'Cares Deeply' In Boston: Community Leaders

BOSTON, MA — Without community leaders, Boston wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Emma Mari, a Boston reader who nominated Stephen Whalen.

How do you know this community leader?

I know Stephen through his company City Realty Group and his nonprofit City Kids. I help with PR work for his real estate company and the nonprofit.

What does this community leader do?

Stephen is the co-founder of City Realty Group, a Boston-based real estate company. While managing his company and ensuring tenants are always happy with their homes is important to him, giving back to communities in which they are involved is even more important. He created City Kids for this purpose. City Kids makes frequent donations to local schools and children's programs as well as hosting events such as surf camps.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

I believe Stephen should be recognized because he is unique. There are many successful real estate companies around Boston but I don't know of any founders that give back to their communities with hands on activities and programs. Stephen is currently in Nepal where City Kids has been helping to fund a new library for Prisoners Assistance Nepal, an organization seeking to provide basic needs and human rights to prisoners and their children. Prior to that, this summer City Kids hosted two surf camps for underserved Boston kids where Stephen himself was out in the water teaching the kids how to surf. Stephen cares deeply for the communities in and around Boston and wants to see children succeed. City Kids has also just launched a Financial Literacy Program for Boston Public School students which aims to bridge the knowledge gap and empower students with essential financial skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Throughout the years, City Kids has donated 5,000 laptops and designed and built computer labs for various schools and youth development programs around Boston.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

I want everyone to know that Stephen cares deeply for the communities in which City Realty Group builds. He doesn't just see dollar signs. He focuses so heavily on City Kids because he genuinely wants to see these children have a chance to thrive and follow their dreams. Of all the successful entrepreneurs in Boston, Stephen is the most successful when measured by character.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile. Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out? Nominate them here.