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Date: 8/1/2023
SPRINGFIELD — For the second year, the Springfield Pride Parade Organization’s Safe Space Summer Program is teaching students how to build community and support one another, all while having fun.
The six-week program that began on July 11 and runs through Aug. 17, takes place on the Springfield College campus at Locklin Hall, 263 Alden St., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-6 p.m.
Safe Space Summer Program Project Manager Frankie Walsh shared that the program is free and open to students grades 6-12. When the program first took place in 2022, it was only open to Springfield students. However, the program has since opened to people in the Greater Springfield area, although most participants are Springfield students, Walsh said.
As is suggested in the title, Walsh explained that the program creates a safe space for students — teaching them how to advocate for themselves. Three key components that the program focuses on are identity, creativity and movement, she added.
During each session, Walsh said, the students and program staff look into different scenarios and identify what is a green or red flag. Oftentimes, questions lead to debates, Walsh shared. “[It’s a] very lively day.”
Some of the other activities have included playing kickball, a discussion on “Heartstopper,” a book and television show about queer teens and taking a tour of Springfield College, with which the program partners. Walsh said students recently met with admissions and Inclusion and Community Engagement Vice President Dr. Calvin Hill.
Students are also served snacks and dinner at each session.
The 2023 program has been “so far, so good,” with a rotating membership of about 10 to 12 students, Walsh shared. She noted that they try to maintain a 1-to-10 ratio with students and staff, however, there is rolling admission with a few more slots available. To sign up, visit springfieldprideparade.org/programs. Once all the information is submitted and received, an individual can begin attending sessions.
Although this is Walsh’s first year conducting the summer program, she has previously led the afterschool program in Springfield Public Schools, which occurs three times a week for the entire school year.
“I give Taurean [Bethea] credit for starting this,” she said. Bethea is the founder of the Springfield Pride Parade, along with the Safe Space Summer Program.
Walsh noted that the summer program is not just open to the LGBTQIA+ community, but to allies as well.
“[We] ask everyone to come with an open mind and open heart,” she said.
Walsh went on to say that there is “a lot of controversy” around queer programming, but they are not doing anything wrong — they are just trying to create a place where people can feel safe.