Donation funds night gym program for Springfield kids

A $40,000 donation will fund Springfield’s evening gym program through early April, offering kids a place to go and things to do during after-school hours during fall and winter months.

Springfield has offered the evening gym program through its Recreation Division for more than 20 years, according to City Communications Director Marian Sullivan, but funding has been problematic at times.

In December, the insurance company Health New England donated $40,820 to the city to sponsor the night gym program at four schools. Mayor Domenic Sarno requested an additional $35,000 from the City Council to run the program at two additional schools.

Adult supervisors and three head recreation leaders staff the gyms, which are open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. between three and five weekdays each week, Sullivan said. Programs include sports such as basketball, volleyball, Tai Kwon-Do and golf, as well as photography workshops, a certified babysitting course through the American Red Cross, and an anti-bullying program called Neutral Corner.

“It is so vitally important to not only continue our street attack on youth violence, but just as important to continue to provide positive structured youth development programs, too,” Sarno said in a statement. “I’m glad to once again work with our City Council on the funding aspects and appreciated the input from my aide Minerva ‘Minnie’ Marrero along with City Councilor-Elect Adam Gomez.”

While the YMCA of Greater Springfield has two locations in the city and a gym open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and can offer scholarships for those who cannot afford full membership fees, the city gym program is free and serves a “different population of young people,” Sullivan said.

The city program aims to serve youths between the ages of 10 and 18, and locations are chosen to reach youths “who may not have access to other opportunities,” Sullivan said.

“Each of the schools chosen are located in low-income, high-risk neighborhoods where the youth need a safe haven during their non-school hours,” she said.

In addition to Health New England’s donation, the program has received strong community support and funding in the past from organizations such as Mass in Motion and Baystate Health Systems.

The program will run until April 11, at which point kids are drawn to outdoor facilities and parks, Sullivan said.