Organization brings together girls of all ages


Amherst College student Sarah Perez reviews a homework assignment with Kiera Falcon who participates in the Girl's Inc. of Holyoke's After-School Program

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.

For Falcon, her favorite times spent with Perez include reading books together and solving math problems.

"Sarah is like a teacher," Falcon said, adding she likes her "a lot."

Perez noted she enjoys the chance to connect with all the girls, and during the coming months, she will take a more active leadership role overseeing all of the tutors who are part of the after-school program. Currently, there are 38 area residents providing mentor tutoring and homework help on a weekly basis at the site.

Izzy Mahoney and Mark Donaldson, both seniors at Amherst College, joined Perez this fall in tutoring duties with the girls.

"The girls are very welcoming," Mahoney said, adding, "they are all willing to work and want to learn."

Donaldson echoed those sentiments, adding his objective this fall was to give the girls the confidence they needed so they could tackle any school subject that came their way.

"We spent a lot of time on math instruction," he said, noting he also enjoyed helping girls with their spelling and reading comprehension.

"It is important for area residents to see the need for such a program and make use of it in a variety of ways; for example, if they have a daughter, relative, want to volunteer or seek employment," Jimenez said.

As the fall semester comes to a close, several college students are saying their goodbyes to the girls, while others will resume their tutoring after the holiday break.

"Who returns will depend on class schedules but it is also an opportunity for other students to join as a tutor," Jimenez added. "We do have a great number of continued relationships."

For more information on the program that runs weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m. during the school year, contact Jimenez at 538-7042 ext. 105. Enrollment is based on Massachusetts Department of Early Education income eligible contracted slots; voucher and private pay options are also available.

Beginning in mid-January, Jimenez expects the Girls Inc. Web site to also have applications for persons interested in internships as well as volunteer and job opportunities. For details, visit www.girlsincholyoke.org.

Jimenez also noted that colleges interested in partnering with Girls Inc. to offer mentoring programs are always welcomed.

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