Head Start program celebrates 60 years with preschool graduations and legislative recognition
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Community Action Pioneer Valley's Head Start & Early Learning Programs (HS&ELP) marked 60 years of service with preschool graduation ceremonies this week and received special recognition from state legislators.
On Thursday, May 15, the Amherst Community Child Care Center celebrated 14 preschool students who will transition to kindergarten this fall.
The event featuring cheering for the graduates, recognition of Head Start parents, lunch, and games. The celebration also included a notable presentation from Lily Stowe-Alekman, staff director for Rep. Mindy Domb, who delivered a citation commemorating the 60th anniversary of Head Start.
A similar event at the program's Westfield site included a surprise visit from a representative of Rep. Kelly Pease's office, who also presented a legislative citation recognizing the milestone.
The national Head Start program, launched in May 1965, has provided early education and comprehensive services to over 40 million children and families over the past six decades. Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) has been a regional leader in this effort, operating eight centers across Franklin, Hampshire, and parts of Hampden counties.
'Head Start is a two-generational program that has helped thousands of families in our region over the past 60 years to forge a foundation for early learning and development and long-term success,' said Clare Higgins, Executive Director of CAPV.
The program's two-generational model supports not only the child but also the family. Each enrolled family is paired with a Family Advocate who helps identify goals and provides continuous support throughout their HS&ELP journey. Many parents have used the program's services to return to work or further their education, aided by the affordable, high-quality childcare HS&ELP provides.
The centers offer part-day and full-day care at no or low cost, including meals, snacks, diapers, and formula. While these services meet essential needs, HS&ELP places strong emphasis on relationships.
'I love the strong bonds and relationships built together,' one Head Start parent wrote in a recent survey. 'I've had several children go through the program at our site. I have been able to meet so many parents and share our experiences, hopes, and goals for our families. I believe Head Start is a fantastic opportunity for building a better foundation for our kids' futures.'
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pittsfield seeking volunteers for Housatonic River cleanup
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) are seeking volunteers for the annual Housatonic River cleanup. Easthampton Fire Department teams with Baystate Health for blood drive The cleanup will be held on Saturday, June 21, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Interested volunteers are encouraged to meet at Wahconah Park to begin cleanup of the river's west branch. It is recommended for participants to wear old clothes and sneakers, a hat, waterproof boots or waders, and sunglasses, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. BEAT and HVA will also be providing a limited number of waders for volunteers to borrow. Canoes will be on site to transport all trash and debris found at the banks and bottom of the river throughout the event. Organizers said that these cleanups have made a significant difference in the Housatonic River's health, finding a variety of unusual items in the water. Notable trash included shopping carts, televisions, mattresses, and even an empty ATM. BEAT and HVA said that the gradual decrease of trash in the river would not be possible without the help of volunteers each year. To register for the cleanup, visit Volunteers who register in advance will also be provided with a free lunch from a local restaurant following the event. More information can be found at WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Girl Scouts donate nearly 14,000 boxes of cookies at Barnes Air National Guard Base
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Nearly 14,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies are on their way to military personnel, thanks to a generous donation from the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) through their 'Project Care and Share' program. Mass. clean cement company hopes to win back $87M federal award On Monday, GSCWM delivered 1,166 cases of cookies to Barnes Aire National Guard Base and the United Service Organizations (USO), aiming to bring a taste of home and appreciation to service members currently deployed or on duty. The donation is part of the Girl Scouts' ongoing efforts to support the military community and instill civic engagement in young members. Five of the program's top cookie sellers were on site to assist with loading the cookies onto transport trucks. The donation not only supports the morale of military personnel but also teaches young Girl Scouts the importance of giving back and honoring those who serve. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Elle
6 hours ago
- Elle
Jupiter in Cancer Wants You to Redefine What Family Really Means
Feeling a tug on your apron strings? A collective shift is coming today, June 9, as adventurous Jupiter sails into Cancer, the sign of women, home, and families. Jupiter spends approximately 12-13 months in each zodiac sign, blessing us with yearlong cycles in which to stretch, grow, and find our fortune. Even better? Caring, intuitive Cancer is Jupiter's happiest place in the zodiac, its 'exalted' position in astro-speak. Nevertheless, there's an odd balance to strike between Jupiter's nomadic urges and Cancer's nesting instincts. Jupiter is the free spirit; Cancer, the nurturing mother. The way we 'do' family life could change in unpredictable ways between now and June 30, 2026. With conservatism on the rise among Gen Z, there might be a growing focus on the nuclear family. Population decline has become an existential worry—and an actual concern—in recent years. Hyperbolic Jupiter could drum up global worries about the extinction of the human race. And in Cancer, 'more is more' Jupiter could usher in a modern-day baby boom, at least for those who have the means to feed extra mouths. Here's a fascinating fact: Louise Brown became the first baby born by IVF on July 25, 1978, when—you guessed it—Jupiter was in Cancer. But baby fever could also feel equally dystopian. In the United States, fed-up tradwives have been quietly finding each other on TikTok, forming support groups in private chats and banding together to escape the oppressive lifestyle. Plus, without greater protections for reproductive rights, Jupiter in Cancer may struggle to deliver much of a baby boom in the United States. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, simply becoming pregnant has brought increased risk for some people, as miscarriages and stillbirths have led to a handful of criminal cases in select states. Simultaneously, social programs for families, like SNAP benefits and Head Start, are under threat. How do you afford a child, even if you want one? That struggle is sure to be a hot topic in the zeitgeist with Jupiter in Cancer. And despite the swing toward conservatism, heteronormative marriage could undergo a reputational reckoning. With Jupiter heading into Cancer, we may see more people cohabitating, consciously uncoupling, or skipping the whole 'white dress and mortgage' narrative altogether. Family will be redefined on our own terms. Regardless of your kid count, Jupiter in Cancer revs up the collective's maternal instincts. How do we care for each other? Nurture ourselves? Feel safe and protected? Those are bound to be hot topics over the next 13 months. And will the future be female? Jupiter in Cancer can bring a culture-wide shift with regards to women's rights, bodily agency, and access to power. Past cycles have definitely amplified these themes: On the heels of Jupiter's 2013-2014 odyssey in Cancer, Beyoncé brought gender rights to the VMAs, performing in front of a huge sign that read 'Feminist.' The same year, then-17-year-old Cancerian Malala Yousafzai became the youngest-ever person to win a Nobel Peace Prize for her work providing safe education for girls. As Jupiter flows through tender, tidal Cancer, the next 13 months will ask us to redefine what it means to belong. This transit invites us to weave stronger emotional bonds and to protect what's sacred—whether with chosen family or people who share our DNA. Expect fierce debates and heartfelt movements around reproductive justice, caregiving, and who gets to claim the title of 'family.' At its best, this cosmic cycle can birth a global reawakening around empathy, equity, and the power of community care. No, it may not look like a Hallmark card. But the future family is forming now—and if bountiful Jupiter has a say, it's got room for everyone at the table.
