The mission of the
Holyoke Youth Task Force is to work collaboratively in order
to strengthen
the voice of youth in Holyoke, and advocate
for sufficient resources
to meet their needs.

Staff

Julie Kumble
Coordinator
Holyoke Youth Task Force

Lucinda Lefferts
Technical Consultant

Origins

In 1998, a pivotal community assessment process began in Holyoke. The Holyoke Planning Department, the Greater Holyoke Youth Service Corps, and Enlace de Familias, the family service organization, involved residents, service providers, and city and school department officials in a process that deeply investigated the needs of this historic mill city. This effort honed in on the need for a coordinated city effort to increase after school activities for more youth of all ages. The Holyoke Youth Task Force emerged as the body of citizens and service providers charged with addressing this need. Click here to find out more about the City of Holyoke.

Today

The Holyoke Youth Task Force has achieved an unprecedented level of city-wide collaboration. It enjoys widespread participation from almost every youth service provider in the city. Based at the Holyoke Planning Department at City Hall Annex, the Youth Task Force works closely with the city government as well as the Holyoke School Department. The Youth Task Force also collaborates with the University of Massachusetts and other institutions of higher education, as well as several coalitions in the region.

In early 2005, the Task Force embarked on a strategic planning process to determine risk and protective factors that influence five problem behaviors among youth: substance abuse, teen pregnancy, drop out, violence and delinquency. The process is called "Communities That Care," a science-based strategy that helps communities across the country focus on key risk and protective factors to improve the well-being of youth and their families. In Holyoke, this process is supported by a Drug Free Communities grant from SAMHSA (Subtance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency). Key stakeholders have been part of this process including representatives from the Mayor's office, Police Department, School Department, both hospitals, churches, juvenile justice system, and social services.

The Holyoke Youth Task Force offers youth advocates, program staff and administrators:

Networking

We provide a forum for sharing best practices, training resources, outreach, evaluation tools and overall camaraderie.

Advocacy

We offer a structure for coordinating lobbying efforts related to youth policies and practices on the local and state levels.

Professional Development

We provide professional development opportunities through workshops, brown bag lunch discussions and other forums.

Resource Development

We work to secure local, state and federal funding, leveraging power and resources for all who participate in the Youth Task Force. We encourage new partnerships for creative, effective youth programs.

We'd love to hear from you! Llamenos en espanol o ingles.

Or attend our monthly meeting and find out who's who and what's happening in Holyoke's youth programs. Meetings are every third Thursday of the month from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Holyoke Planning Department, Room 403.

Phone: (413) 322-5578

FAX: (413) 322-5576

Mailing Address:

Holyoke Youth Task Force
Holyoke Planning Department, Room 406
City Hall Annex
Holyoke, MA 01040