Resource Lending Library

The Holyoke Youth Task Force offers an excellent resource library at our office site. Story books for young readers, curriculum guides on a variety of youth development topics, videos and games, and much more await you at the Youth Task Force Resource Library. We have literature on community service programs, starting environmental awareness programs, science and technology, life and work skills...the list goes on. The 4H Youth and Family Development Program has stocked the library with much of its materials, and we thank them!

Preview a list of the Resource Library as an annotated bibliography on line! Visit us and check out the materials at our office on the fourth floor of the City Hall Annex at the Planning Department. The building is right next to City Hall on High Street.

Youth Commission Mini-Grants

The Youth Commission issued mini-grants for the last three years to a variety of excellent youth programs throughout the city. The Youth Commission has allocated over $25,000 to creative projects planned and carried out by other young people. Please visit the Youth Commission portion of this website to learn more about this program. You'll see examples of youth in philanthropy at its finest.

The Youth Commission organized the city's first ever Holyoke Youth Day in May 2002 in which over 200 youth crowded the corridors of City Hall and City Council Chambers. Mayor Michael Sullivan, Representative Michael Kane and Senator Michael Knapik signed onto a commitment to value and support Holyoke youth. Mayor Sullivan signed an official proclamation marking the day as Holyoke Youth Day. "Celebrating the positive contributions of youth in the community," as the Union-News described, young dancers and a rapper entertained the crowds and many local stores contributed gift certificates to make the event a huge success.

All-America City Competition

In June 2002, seven Youth Commissioners went to Kansas City, Missouri with a delegation from Holyoke to vie for an All-America City nomination. The Holyoke Youth Commission and Holyoke Youth Task Force were highlighted as community assets in the city's All-America City application. The Youth Commissioners, together with the delegation, made a powerful presentation to the judges and thousands in the audience, showcasing some of the most enthusiastic youth from the city. While Holyoke didn't receive the nomination this year, the Youth Commissioners made us all proud.

Holyoke Community Dialogue Project

The Holyoke Youth Task Force collaborated with the Holyoke Youth Alliance, River Valley Counseling and NEARI JumpStart to host this workshop series for those working with youth. All workshops were free and ran from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Holyoke Youth Alliance, 167 Chestnut Street.

The workshop topics were:
Community Conflict: Talkin' Back to Cut Backs...Building Trust to Rebuild Our Programs;Team Building: Working Together, Talking Together, Laughing Together; Recruiting and Supporting Diverse Staff; Creative Fundraising and Resource Building; Evaluations that Work for You and Your Funding Source.