Organization Brings Together Girls of All Ages

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

 
HOLYOKE Providing a safe place for girls to be nurtured has always been a top priority for Girls Inc. of Holyoke, and one of its finest examples is the After-School Program on Nick Cosmos Way

Immediately after school, girls from the ages of five to 12 descend on the facility that offers programs on health and fitness, science, math and related technology, arts and theater programming as well as academics and homework help and one-on-one tutoring with college students. 

During the late afternoon of Dec. 4, Sarah Perez of Amherst College was quietly working with Kiara Falcon, a second grader at the Maurice A. Donahue Elementary School, on her math homework, while others were engaged in a wide variety of activities.

Daisy Jimenez, director of the After-School Program, touted the curriculum as "one of a kind" for the area. "This program provides the space for girls to be girls, to make mistakes, take risks and know that they are in a supportive environment that is just for girls," Jimenez said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Jimenez explained that the girls are given a "tremendous opportunity" every weekday to improve and enhance their school work as well as develop and improve their learning skills. "The college students get firsthand experience and practice working with the girls that can influence their academic and career choices," Jimenez added. "The girls and the college students get to form relationships that they will probably remember in years to come."

Perez and Falcon quickly come to mind when Jimenez talked about the bonds that flourish between the girls and the college students. "My role is to support and ensure that we continually provide an atmosphere where the opportunity for these positive relationships continues to happen," Jimenez said.

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