Joining Mayor Sarno and Square One was longtime Square One President and CEO Joan Kagan (retired), State Senators Jacob Oliveira and John Velis, State Representatives Brian Ashe, Orlando Ramos and Bruce Adams representing Angelo Puppolo, Springfield Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, and community partners and supporters, including many of the dedicated staff from Square One.
This expansion is thanks in large part to their community supporters and benefactors, including $2 million secured by the local Springfield state delegation and nearly $1 million awarded from the city of Springfield through Mayor Sarno’s American Rescue Plan Act awards.
Mayor Sarno states, “Congratulations to President and CEO Dawn DiStefano and her dedicated team at Square One as they make this major announcement. I am so appreciative of Square One’s continued and dedicated efforts to provide an outstanding, caring, safe, nurturing and educational environment for our children and their families. I am proud to continue to financially support this initiative to expand their services to the tune of nearly $1 million. Pre-K education and work force development initiatives have been a hallmark issue for my administration.”
