So far, 2022 has been full of exciting changes at the Club. We are working very hard to bring facility improvements to the Club such as a new HVAC system, painting of the gym, pool repairs, commercial kitchen build-outs and bathroom renovations! We are excited for all of the improvements and very grateful for our donors who make them all possible.
 
We look forward to showing you the changes to our facility in the months ahead!
HBGC Alum becomes Holyoke’s
new Mayor!
We are all so proud that HBGC alum, Joshua Garcia, was elected Mayor of Holyoke. Joshua grew up on South Summer Street; was active in the Arco Iris program at Nueva Esperanza; and was a longtime member of the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club! He served as one of the Club’s first Peer Leaders and worked for 10 years while in high school and college. He attended the Holyoke Public Schools before attending Westfield State University, where he earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. Today, he lives with his wife, Stefany, and two children, Ethan and Allison in Oakdale.

We hope you enjoy listening to Club member, Leah Robert interview our new Mayor about his time at the Club and lessons he learned.
Learning Games and Computational Thinking
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and UMass Amherst received an NSF grant to develop new wearable technology to help kids learn as they play. In March, they brought these “Wearable Tutors” to the Club and each child carried a mobile device as they worked together on math games.

The teams brainstormed new games on paper in the gym, and then programmed their games into the Wearable Learning Platform. Every week the youth brainstorm, create, and refine their games! As the school year goes on, the kids will share their games with peers and create fun competitions – all while learning math and computing! 
HPS Middle School Intramural & Enrichment Program 
Since September, the Club has been partnering with HPS Middle Schools to assist in the facilitation of the Middle School Intramural Sports Program. The Club provides a variety of competitive activities for middle school students, such as volleyball and basketball leagues.

Qualified staff provide a fun, yet structured environment that focuses on the health, safety and developmental needs of all participants. In addition to providing the services and supervision, the Club also provides all youth who participate in HPS Middle School Intramural Program a free Membership valued at $25 per year. Youth can partake in many Club activities including culinary arts, homework help, media arts, non-contact boxing, rocking climbing, volunteer opportunities and college & career readiness activities.

Programs like this strengthen the relationship between the Club and the Holyoke Public Schools and serve as an important alternative for the youth of Holyoke. A special thank you Play Ball Foundation for their support of the Middle School Intramural Sports Program.
In addition to the Middle School Intramural Sports Program, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke is also partnering with Holyoke Public Schools to facilitate the Kelly School Enrichment Program and an After-School Program with STEM Academy. The After-School Program with STEM Academy operates 5 days per week, targets 25 middle school teens, provides transportation and includes a project-based STEM activity facilitated by Club staff.
Staff Highlight: Ann Mann, Director of Operations
Ann Lavelle Mann grew up on Portland Street in Holyoke with her 8 siblings. Of her hometown, Ann said: “Holyoke has always been a great place full of great people.

The city has also had its troubles, and it would be easy to just focus on the bad, but I choose to focus on the good and to do what I can to make things better.” Ann brings her positive, helpful outlook to work every day at the Club where she is Director of Operations.

A typical day begins at 7 a.m. when she and her colleague, Victor Rojas, unlock the doors and make sure everything is clean and ready for the kids. Ann is tasked to work on payroll, hiring and staffing but she helps with anything the kids need. She said “My favorite part of working at the club is being on a team dedicated to providing a great environment for our kids. The kids feel loved here and they know they can count on us to give them a smile, a hug, a positive word of support any time they need it.” Ann makes herself available to help with homework or just talk with them. She is also an assigned mentor to two kids in 2nd and 3rd grade and she checks in on them every week to see how life and school are going.

When Ann attended Holyoke High School, she was recruited by Nick Cosmos to volunteer at the Club. When asked how the Club has changed since then, she said “The city of Holyoke has changed a lot, and the Club changes right along with it. We have leaders who are always thinking outside of the box and adapting what the Club offers to what our community needs. But all kids need to be surrounded by good, kind and caring adults and that is an aspect of the Club that is always going to remain the same.”

We’re so grateful to Ann and her 13 years of service on our team!
2022 Bruce E. Thompson
Golf Tournament

Thank you everyone who has helped us with this incredible event over the years. We truly appreciate all the support. We look forward to an exciting and fun golf tournament and cant wait to see you all!