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Date: 8/10/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD - Attorney General (AG) Maura Healey recently awarded nearly $300,000 to 74 organizations across the state of Massachusetts to fund jobs for young people focused on promoting healthy living. Ascentria Community Services, Inc. in West Springfield was awarded $2,500 of that funding.
Through a press release from AG Healey, this is the seventh year that the AG’s Office is running the Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program. “[This] enables teens to have a direct impact in their communities by working in jobs that promote good nutrition, physical fitness and healthy living.”
The grant program is funded with both health care and fair labor related settlement money that comes directly from the AG’s Office.
AG Healey said, “Our summer jobs program provides hundreds of teens across the state with an opportunity to challenge themselves, gain new skills, and make a difference in their own communities by promoting healthy living.” She continued, “We have worked hard to continue this program each year and are grateful to our grantees for making important adjustments to their programs to ensure employed teens are safe as we recover from the pandemic.”
The AG’s Community Engagement Division has been providing both webinars and in-person training sessions on “workers rights” to teens employed through the grant program. Jobs funded through this year’s grant program include a variety of food growth, natural resources, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and food security.
Ascentria, located at 425 Union St., was fortunate enough to receive some funding. Karen Walker of Ascentria said they originally requested $5,000, but received $2,500.
According to Ascentria’s website, their mission is “to strengthen communities by empowering people to respond to life’s challenges.”
Walker said, “We envisioned working with youth on education.” This summer, the youth has been responsible for creating and maintaining gardens made entirely of fruits and vegetables. All of the produce that is grown, will be donated. Walker informed Reminder Publications that they have been working closely with the local food bank. “We want to feed a community no matter how small it may seem.”
For this year’s program, Ascentria has four youths enrolled. All youth applied as candidates interested in the summer program. In order to be a part of this program, kids need to apply or be referred. They are then interviewed and selected. “It’s an important experience,” she said. “It provides a summer job - educational and impactful - benefits the community,” said Walker.
Erica Letson, SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator is responsible for bringing this entire initiative into fruition, claimed Walker. “She has grown this into something even better.”
Walker continued, “I think her meaning is honorable. Erica’s great - she does a lot.” Walker reiterated her gratitude towards Letson and all she’s done to make this program the best it can be.
With the $2,500, Walker said this amount has “potential of going a long way.”