Representative Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton) announced recently that the House of Representative’s FY08 Budget included $100,000 specified for violence prevention programs in the Town of Southbridge. This money will continue to fund the Department of Education’s program run through the Southbridge Police Department at the new Community Center.

“It is important to continue our efforts to ensure that the young people of Southbridge have options after school and during the summer,” state Rep. Alicea. “I will continue to fight for funding to continue these exceptional programs that are being run and expanded at the Southbridge Community Center, but this funding is an important first step to ensure these programs can continue and expand.”

The funding has been previously used to support after school and summer programs, including basketball, street hockey, and trips to cultural locations outside of downtown Southbridge. They also include an academic component. Children were required to spend a half hour to an hour working on homework before being allowed to participate in other after school programs. Plans for this summer will include a mock trial group, an equestrian piece, and a cooking program. A summer subsidized lunch program, funded through Project Bread, will also be a part of the community center’s offered activities. 

Southbridge Chief of Police Daniel Charette, who leads the programs run at the Community Center, stated “The most important thing about this is giving children a safe, fun place to be in the early after school hours so they are doing something productive. The hours between 3pm and 7pm are so important in giving children options other than making trouble. We are working hard to keep the programs well rounded so that all types of students feel welcome.”