Youth Programs

A late summer get-together at Springfield Housing Authority’s Riverview Apartments united children and staff from four developments in a session that included lively discussion, board games, pizza, and a benevolent group of senior citizens.

Billed as a pizza party, the mid-day gathering in the Community Room was organized and sponsored by the Riverview Tenants’ Council, with leadership from President Raquel Sanchez.

Children enjoy a game of Trouble at Springfield Housing Authority’s Riverview Apartments.

The lively crowd included staff and children from Riverview, Pine-James, Moxon and Duggan Apartments. All four SHA developments have youth programs run by ADC Prevention Services, a Springfield-based youth organization.

Children unanimously approved of the party.

“I love this,” said Angelnis Cruz, who is 10 and lives at Moxon.

“It’s fun seeing all the other kids and playing the games together. The whole summer was fun,” she added, saying she is well ready to enter fifth grade at Indian Orchard Elementary School.

Her friends Nyah Bernadeau, 10, and Bella Regina Galicia, 8, said the summer program at Moxon was filled with fun activities, including outdoor play, reading, and time at Pine Brook Camp in Shutesbury.

ADC Riverview Site Coordinator Vicki Gaskins with Riverview Tenants Association President Raquel Sanchez and resident Docilia Infante.

“I had a really fun summer, but I’m glad to be going back to school. I went swimming and I did a lot of things,” said Bella Regina, who will be a third grader at Milton Bradley Elementary School.

Sanchez said the tenants’ organization wanted to do something for the children who live at Riverview and participate in after-school and summer programming. The idea to include all ADC programs made the day even better, she said.

“We wanted to do something to recognize how great the children are with us, and how helpful they are,” Sanchez noted. “They’re always helping us to set up tables and chairs for Bingo, or for lunches, or whatever else we need. They’re just great.”

Friends Angelnis Cruz,10, Nyah Bernadeau, 10, and Bella Regina Galicia, 8, reminisce about a great summer.

Indeed, ADC Education Coordinator Sally Hardy said the party was a great chance to recognize the fun and learning that children enjoyed over the summer, and the fact that school is just around the corner.

“We were invited by the Riverview tenants to celebrate the end of summer together,” Hardy said. “It’s just wonderful to see everyone coming together. The people at Riverview are great.”

Hardy said the summer and after-school programs have more of an academic focus than ever, even when fun is involved, which is frequent. ADC providers work with schools to determine exactly where each child is succeeding, as well as struggling. The academic time in the program has a specific focus for each child, making it extremely effective.

“Even in the summer, we always have a focus on the academics. We add in fun things like team-building games, culinary arts, cultural events. We make sure it’s a well-rounded experience for everyone,” Hardy said.

Eleven-year-old Javian Martinez spent a week at Pine Brook Camp.

Each ADC participant spends at least one day at the camp in camp in Shutesbury. A handful of the children get a campership to spend a week there, immersing themselves in swimming, hiking, archery, boating and more.

Field trips brought children to parks and playgrounds, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden at the Springfield Quadrangle, among others.

At the summer’s final formal event, children spread out among tables at the Riverview Community Room, playing games, connecting with old friends and making new ones.

“It’s good to get together and meet new people,” noted Javian Martinez, who is 11 and attended the one-week camp in Shutesbury.

“For me, it’s been a great summer,” he added.