Greetings and welcome to the 10th update from the One Strong Community Program! As always, we're excited to share our progress and the impact of our community-focused initiatives. This fall, we've worked closely with our youth members, providing enriching experiences through our School Age and Internship Programs.
These updates reflect our team's efforts and aim to further our mission of raising Hive tokens to support the repurchase of One Strong Tokens—our scholarship token on the Hive-Engine—from our dedicated alums.
Stay tuned as we dive into the details of our fall activities and how you can continue supporting our community's growth through Hive!
Welcoming Briahnna and Ja'nae from MassHire Holyoke
This fall, we were incredibly fortunate to work with two outstanding youth workers, Briahnna and Ja'nae, who joined us through the MassHire Holyoke year-round program. These dedicated individuals brought enthusiasm and a strong work ethic, making a profound impact on our program and the children we serve.
For two months, from October to November, Briahnna and Ja'nae were instrumental in helping us reorganize our space, ensuring it was a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for the kids. Their thoughtful contributions enhanced the overall experience for everyone involved, from creating more efficient layouts for activities to maintaining a nurturing atmosphere for the children.
Beyond their organizational skills, Briahnna and Ja'nae were incredible role models and caretakers. Their warmth and attentiveness made the children feel supported and valued, creating bonds that will be remembered long after their time with us. We’re deeply grateful for their contributions and for the partnership with MassHire Holyoke that made this possible.
🍂 Fall Season Highlights
This fall was all about innovation and creativity! We introduced several new activities that sparked excitement and engagement among our kids. Here are a few highlights:
Circuit Activities: The children explored the basics of electricity and circuitry with hands-on projects. They built simple circuits, learned about conductivity, and discovered how electricity powers the devices they use daily. These sessions were both fun and educational, igniting curiosity in STEM topics! ⚡💡
Playdough Machines: We brought imaginative play to a new level with playdough machines! The kids created colorful "ice cream" treats and used a dentist-themed machine to learn about oral health while playing. These interactive tools encouraged creativity and introduced important life skills in a playful environment. 🍦🦷
Turkey Disguise Agency Craft: Just in time for Thanksgiving, our kids unleashed their artistic skills by creating "disguises" for turkeys to keep them safe from the holiday table. The results were hilarious and adorable, from superhero turkeys to rock-star birds. 🎨🦃
These activities brought everyone involved laughter, learning, and a sense of accomplishment. Watching the kids dive into these projects was truly a highlight of the season!
Acknowledging the One Strong Blog's Performance 🚀
This year, the One Strong Page on PeakD has seen significant engagement, helping us share our journey with a broader audience. As we look to the future, our goal is to leverage the platform's Snap Features to provide more frequent and concise updates, ensuring we remain active and maximize our ability to earn Hive.
Goal of the One Strong Page 📈
The primary goal of our page is to collaborate with the One Strong Community Program to raise Hive tokens. These tokens will be used to repurchase One Strong Tokens (OST) from the Hive-Engine Market, with a special focus on buying them back from youth and alumni who have participated in our School Age and Internship Programs.
This initiative supports our long-term mission of providing scholarships and resources to empower our members while fostering financial literacy and community engagement. By being more active on PeakD, we aim to strengthen our program's sustainability and continue making a positive impact.
We are excited about this new phase and invite our community to engage with our content, share ideas, and support this mission. Every interaction helps us grow closer to achieving these goals!
Letter from the Director
Dear One Strong Family,
Reflecting on the fall of 2024, I am grateful for our fantastic progress together. This season has been particularly special, thanks to the unwavering support and dedication of so many individuals who have helped create a thriving environment for our children.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to Ms. Ashley, our Teacher Assistant, whose kindness and commitment have been pivotal in shaping a warm, supportive, and engaging atmosphere. Whether assisting in the afternoons or during full days, Ms. Ashley has gone above and beyond to ensure our children feel valued and cared for.
I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to Briahnna and Ja'nae, our MassHire students, who have played an instrumental role over the past two months. Their efforts in reorganizing our space, supporting the children, and bringing their energy and creativity to our activities have made a lasting impact on our program.
To our families: your trust, encouragement, and involvement mean the world to me. Thank you for sticking with us and supporting the activities and initiatives we bring to life. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do.
As we look forward to 2025, I am excited about the opportunities ahead and eager to continue building an even stronger community with all of you. Together, we’re creating a foundation for our children to grow, thrive, and succeed, and I couldn’t be more proud to share this journey with you.
Warm regards,
Charles Laboy
Owner/Director
One Strong Community Program
Thank You, Chicopee Cultural Council! 🌟
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to the Chicopee Cultural Council for their continued support of our program. Their generosity allows us to bring more creative and enriching opportunities to the children in our community, making a lasting impact on their lives.
Stay tuned for more updates in the new year, and thank you for being an essential part of the One Strong Community Program! Together, we’re building a brighter future for our children and our community.