Latest news with #PrideHikes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services holds Pride flag-raising ceremony in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – June is Pride Month, a time for celebrating and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. One local organization marked the occasion with a special flag-raising ceremony. The Springfield nonprofit Helix Human Services hosted the flag-raising on Tuesday as a colorful symbol of inclusion, acceptance, and hope. DCR partners with local LGBTQ+ organizations to host Pride Hikes in Mass. Despite progress made in recent years, the LGBTQ+ community still faces political attacks and discrimination. This event is just one example of how Helix is working towards creating safe spaces and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. It's also helping to build resilience and strength amongst the LGBTQ+ community. 'I think now today it's incredibly important to make sure that we recognize individuals,' said Helix Human Services CEO Mark Paglia. 'And under the climate we live in every day, celebrate individuals, celebrate who they are and who they want to be.' Helix has started programs and services for the LGBTQ plus community. This includes their SHARP residential program which is a safe home for young adults to support youth who've experienced trauma with moderate to severe mental-health and behavioral-health challenges and may be struggling with their personal identity. And during this event, the non-profit also celebrated 160 years of serving the Springfield community. 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
DCR partners with local LGBTQ+ organizations to host Pride Hikes in Mass.
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hosting free guided Pride Hikes throughout the state this month in recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. In celebration of Pride Month, DCR plans to lead a series of hikes in collaboration with local and regional LGBTQ+ organizations, including several in western Mass. such as the Stonewall Center at UMass Amherst and Queer Men of the Berkshires (Q-MoB). Where to celebrate Pride Month in western Massachusetts 'At DCR, we are focused year-round on ensuring that all of our residents and visitors have access to and feel welcome and safe in our parks and on our trails – spaces that are essential for our overall well-being,' said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. 'These Pride Hikes are opportunities for our LGBTQ+ friends and their loved ones to safely and peacefully come together and explore the beauty of our state parks. We are grateful to our partner organizations for joining us in this effort and hope that these hikes inspire some new DCR park enthusiasts.' DCR encourages participants of Pride Hikes to wear pride colors and sturdy shoes for walking. Bug spray, sunscreen, and water are also recommended. Pride Hikes will be held at the following properties: Wompatuck State Park, Hingham: June 14, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston: June 14, 7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Adams: June 15, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, East Falmouth: June 19, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge: June 27, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls: June 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham: June 29, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The department plans to continue hosting Pride Hikes at agency parks throughout Massachusetts beyond the month of June. For more information on these events and other DCR programs, visit 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.
