$2M in federal funding announced for Girls Inc. of the Valley in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A local non-profit received $2 million in federal funding announced by Congressman Richard Neal on Monday.

The federal funding will allow Girls Inc. of the Valley to complete their work on the $7 million renovation of their 16,000-square-foot facility at 480 Hampden Street in Holyoke. Their new location will serve as their permanent headquarters and program center where they will serve more than 1,000 girls from under-served communities.

Suzanne Parker the Executive Director of Girls Inc. of the Valley told 22News that these funds will also help them update the building and make it sustainable, “We’ve got 2 million dollars coming to help with the renovation of the building and it’s going to be really instrumental in helping us get it done and then there’s parts of the building that need some updates. There’s HVAC upgrades our administrative department building and other things we just really need to have done.”

Parker also said that the Congressman’s support, will help participants have increased access to the resources they need to grow up healthy, educated, and independent. She hopes that a year from now they can wrap up construction and officially have a grand opening for their new headquarters.

“Congress has the fundamental responsibility to oversee the expenditure of the public purse, with earmarking serving as a check on the nation’s spending to ensure regional equity. These funds are highly competitive, and the proposal by Girls Inc. illustrated a worthwhile investment that will help them continue their mission of serving our region’s youth,” said Congressman Neal. “Girls Inc. has a rich history of serving the western Massachusetts community, with roots going back to the Girls Club of Holyoke in 1981. Supporting an organization that inspires our children and provides them with the opportunity to achieve their full potential is certainly an investment that will be of great benefit to the Pioneer Valley.”