HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Wednesday, July 17th marks 10 years of the Department of Conservation & Recreation’s ‘Summer Nights’ program in Massachusetts.
Governor Maura Healey visited the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke to celebrate the program’s kick-off for the summer and its 10th anniversary.
“More programs and more funding is more opportunity to serve kids,” Healey said to 22News. “To positively influence the trajectory of their lives.”
The DCR Summer Nights program was launched in 2015 to provide targeted young people aged 13-21 in urban areas with the opportunity to participate in recreational and educational activities during evening hours.
The extended summer hours and programming is through August which allows the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke to stay open later on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm.
“Youth that are engaged in pro-social activities are less likely to engage in risky behaviors,” said Eileen Cavanaugh, President of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke. “Communities that have a multitude of opportunities and activities for their youth to do see lower vandalism rates and see lower juvenile delinquency rates. It’s about making sure youth are given alternative activities.”
The club hosts organized sports and games including basketball, volleyball, and lawn games in the park.
“For a lot of kids, it can be a home away from home,” counselor Giselle Piedra told 22News. “It always gives them a place to belong.”
The program is partnering with other youth organizations in Western Massachusetts including Girls Inc. of the Valley , Holyoke Rows , Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield , and Boys and Girls Club of Springfield .
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Kristina D’Amours is a reporter who is a part of the evening 22News team. Follow Kristina on X @KristinaD_WWLP and view her bio to see more of her work.
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