Teens are Listening | Holyoke Youth Task Force

Helpful Resources!

The following local resources can help direct you to information and resources helpful for parents of teens:

Programs for Youth and Parents:

Girls Incorporated of Holyoke is offering Growing Together, a fun and interactive program for girls ages 9 to11 and a parent or other trusted adult. This five-session program is designed to open up crucial two-way conversations about puberty and sexuality issues, opening doors to future communication. Growing Together groups are available in both Holyoke and Chicopee. For more information, please contact Robin at (413)533-0796, ext. 206. Se habla español.

Tutoring and Mentoring Programs in Holyoke:

  • » Homework House Inc- 413-532-5784
    54 N. Summer St
    340 Chestnut St
    Lawrence Elementary School
    Grades/ages served: 1st-9th grade
  • » Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke- 413-534-7366
    70 Nick Cosmos Way
    Grades/ages served: 1st-12 grade
  • » Girls Incorporated of Holyoke- 413-532-6247
    52 Nick Cosmos Way, 6 Open Square Way
    Grades/ages served: 11-18 years old
  • » Career Point- 413-532-4900
    850 High St
    Grades/ages served: 14-24 years old
  • » STEP and Choices- 413-218-6595
    Various school sites
    Grades/ages served: 6th, 7th, 8th
  • » NEARI Jump-Start- 413-540-0712 ext 15
    70 North Summer St
    Grades/ages served: 10-18+
  • » El Arco Iris- 413-536-6956
    South View Center, c/o Nueva Esperanza 401 Main Street
    Grades/ages served: 4th -12th grade
  • » Northfield Mount Hermon Upward Bound- 413 498-3652
    One Lamplighter Way
    Mount Hermon,
    Grades/ages served: 9th-12th
  • » New England Farm Workers (NEFWC) Council, Inc. 413-536-5403 ext. 225
    NEFWC School- Based Mentoring Program
    225 High Street 4th fl. Suite 408
    Grades/ages served: 4th-8th grade
  • » Our Lady of Guadalupe-Mike Falcetti 532-6610
    CYO Youth Basketball Program
    11 Taylor St
  • » Teen Resource Project—313-4890
    247 Cabot St
    Grades/ages served: 6th-12t
    Approximate number of youth served: 40-50 annually

Youth Substance Abuse Treatment:

  • » Mt. Tom City Clinic: 532-0389
  • » Mt. Tom Crisis Services: 536-5473
  • » River Valley Counseling: 1-800-286-8221
  • » MASS Substance Abuse & Info Hotline: 1-800-327-5050
  • » Providence Detox: 539-2980

Other Substance Abuse Resources:

  • » Allies In Recovery: 111 Pleasant Ave.
    Northampton, MA 01060 413-210-3724

    Support groups for family members looking to learn how to help their loved one to move towards treatment.

Motivating Youth in Recovery:

  • » Detox and Stabilization Program for youth (13-17)
    Worcester: 508-860-1244

On the Web:

Books:

Parents are more likely to raise safe and successful teens by:

1. Setting clear expectations:

- Set clear rules for acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Family rules should address: alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, fighting, and curfew, etc. These become the family rules that everyone in the family follows, including parents.

- Create rewards for meeting family rules and expectations.

- Define negative consequences for breaking family rules and consequences.

- Involve your teen in creating rewards and consequences.

2. Build Family Bonding:

- Plan fun activities with your teen.

- Take an interest in your teen’s interests.

- Reward good behavior and prosocial activities.

- KEEP TALKING! (examples: Ask what the best/worst thing about their day was and share yours with them as well. –OR- Learn to text! Just a simple “Hi! How’s your day going?” let’s your teen know you are thinking about them and that you care about what they are doing.)

3. Monitor Your Teen’s Activities:

- Know where your teen is and what they are doing.

- Meet your teen’s friends and their parents. Share with them your family rules and expectations of your teen.

- If your teen is going to a friend’s house, call the friend’s parents to confirm the plans and ensure that an adult will be home.

The Holyoke Youth Task Force

About this site

The Holyoke Youth Task Force is committed to the well-being and success of Holyoke youth. Part of this commitment is to provide support and resources to parents looking to keep their teens away from alcohol and other drugs. Aside from helpful websites designed specifically for parents, visitors may also fill out the contact form to receive more information or materials. Local resources that may be helpful to parents are also listed.

Brought to you by the Holyoke Youth Task Force, funded by a SAMSHA Drug Free Communities grant and
the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.