The Chicopee community and stakeholders celebrate the opening of the new teen center with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Photo credit: Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee
CHICOPEE — The Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 1 to showcase their new teen center, Haven, which means a place of safety.
The hope is that this new building will be a safe place for teens in the city and a location to focus on their futures.
State and local officials, city employees and residents gathered for this special occasion.
Last year, the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee announced a $3 million capital campaign to construct a 4,500-square-foot new building at 580 Meadow St. for a new teen center, next to its main campus.
As the only independent organization in the city that offers robust programming designed for teens, a new teen center will allow for the club to provide teens resources to enjoy their teen years and help to prepare them for their future.
Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee Executive Director Jason Reed shared how it feels to finally have the center completed.
He said, “We have a great sense of relief, and of optimism for the future. We also know that now the hard work really begins. We have built a beautiful space for our teens, and we must now recommit to providing the highest quality of programming and services our teens deserve.”
With the new teen center officially being opened, Reed said the organization will look to the voices of the community to see what the new building will offer. The new building features a study zone, digital media lab, Zen room, club café and gaming den.
“Our goal is to focus on the skills that our teens need as they transition to the next phase of their lives. We will focus on workforce readiness, nutrition and wellness, and educational opportunities, but we’ll also have some fun. We have multiple 3D printers, gaming systems and a recording studio,” Reed explained.
Regardless of what is being offered, Reed said he hopes people utilize this space.
“This building has the opportunity to impact teens for decades. These teens are the future leaders of business, industry, nonprofits and more. By providing them with these new opportunities, and a great future, they will in turn provide a stronger community,” Reed said.
On Oct. 27, Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee hosted an official ribbon cutting for the Officer Angela Santiago Basketball Courts.
Another phase of this project began in the spring and included replacing the current single outdoor basketball court with a new, concrete full court and half court.
The asphalt surface was failing and was deemed a safety concern. This is a $150,000 project, funded by the city of Chicopee using Community Development Block Grant funds.
The court will be named in memory of Angela Santiago and her commitment to the young people in the city. She served as Chicopee High School’s school resource officer but died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in 2020.
Reed talked about the ribbon cutting and dedication of the basketball court and said, “It was quite an emotional day. Angie left a lasting impression on our organization, and our community. We were humbled to be able to share that moment with her family and the community. We are proud of these courts, and we thank the city of Chicopee for their financial support of this project.”
If teens or their families are interested in learning more about Haven and its programming, Reed said he encourages them to contact the center at 413-592-6707, or to stop down Monday through Friday between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
“We encourage the community to get involved. To achieve our goals, we must engage with the community to increase our partnerships. If businesses or individuals are interested in learning more about us, please visit our website at www.bgcchicopee.org,” Reed concluded.
