Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi to announce $10,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award for Sheriff Cocchi’s Youth Leadership Academy Summer Camp on Tuesday at Brightwood Lincoln Elementary School.
“I started this camp as a way to provide a valuable summer experience for young people who have a parent in jail, or could otherwise not afford a quality experience. We have great mentors, cultural experiences and field trips to give the kids a great summer,” Sheriff Cocchi said. “This grant will allow us to continue providing a transformative experience for our campers, fostering leadership qualities and positive social interactions."
The Youth Leadership Academy summer day camp serves approximately 200 children, aged 7-12 years old, from economically challenged neighborhoods in Springfield and throughout Hampden County. Launched in 2019, the camp focuses on children with incarcerated parents, offering them a safe and nurturing environment to learn, grow, and develop leadership skills alongside positive role models.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “My administration is proud to continue to support Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s and his incredible team with their Youth Leadership Academy Summer Camp initiative. Sheriff Cocchi’s youth camp provides a much-needed service for youth who have a parent incarcerated and this CDBG funding will help pay for the cost of bus transportation for field trips, some field trip admissions, and food for cookouts for youth. This innovative and successful program is a testament to our collaborative efforts of providing great mentors, experiences and fostering leadership qualities and positive environments for our young people."
