A Holiday Message from Glenn and Brenda Olesuk
With the challenging year 2020 has been, we know our community needs support more than ever. Graduate is proud to support two long-standing organizations that provide dearly needed services. Girls Inc. of the Valley serves girls from the ages of 5 to 18, offering programs after school and during the summer, at little or no cost to families. The Springfield Rescue Mission has a goal to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the hungry, homeless, addicted, and poor. Both of these organizations matter deeply to Glenn, Brenda, and the whole Graduate team.
Girls Inc. of the Valley
As schools and programs have moved to virtual support, Girls Inc. has made every effort to remain connected to the community they have always supported. Many Girls Inc. programs have converted to online participation, allowing girls to keep strong bonds with each other and receive mentorship that will help them grow and learn. With the recent help of Holyoke Public Schools, Girls Inc. created an in-person Learning Pod that is safe for both the girls and caretakers.
Girls Inc. participates in carefully researched programs, guided by highly trained staff. The goal is to give them the life skills they need to navigate girlhood and become independent adults. Young girls and women can feel the support of trusted mentors who believe in them and inspire them to live up to their full potential. Teachers and Administrators from local schools identify girls for their programs, and students, staff, and faculty from area colleges and universities volunteer as tutors and mentors. Professional women from our community serve as mentors. These executives, entrepreneurs, and innovators help girls see new possibilities for a future once unimagined.
Springfield Rescue Mission
In this time of COVID, the Springfield Rescue Mission provides needed services for individuals who have lost jobs or even homes or are just struggling to make ends meet. In direct response to the need for critical services to help the poor, homeless, and addicted, the Springfield Rescue Mission has developed Emergency and Rehabilitation Programs that are provided free of charge. The Rescue Mission’s Men’s Emergency Shelter provides homeless men with safe shelter, nutritious meals, hygiene items, clothing, counseling, and community resource referrals.
The Men’s New Life Rehabilitation Program is a 12-month residential, Christian rehabilitation program for homeless men in a structured environment. It provides education, basic life skills, health care, and other services to help the men develop positive lifestyle changes and implement long-range plans toward a sustainable, productive life. They provide a comprehensive approach to overcoming homelessness, addiction, and other life issues. Their Food Service Programs offers a public breakfast to hungry individuals who receive a nutritious breakfast. Operation SONshine is their mobile-food service distributing meals to residents in very low-income neighborhoods. Their Give Away Center distributes clothing, shoes, coats, bedding items, towels, small household goods, and essential hygiene products to men, women, and children for daily living. The Give Away Center is vital to after-incarceration men and women starting their new life over. Bags of non-perishable groceries are also distributed through the Give Away Center, and all items are free of charge. Finally, the Rescue Mission offers Holiday Banquets to the community with staff and volunteers who serve a traditional holiday meal during the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasons.
'Tis the Season for Gratitude
This holiday season is an important time for gratitude. Graduate is grateful for the passion and commitment that all not-for-profit programs bring to our community. Springfield Rescue Mission and Girls Inc of the Valley are just two examples of tremendous organizations in our region whose focus is on giving and supporting those that need it most. Thank you!
In the spirit of the season, feel free to reach out to Girls Inc. of the Valley and The Springfield Rescue Mission to learn more about how you can support their efforts.
We also want to thank all of you for the confidence you place in our family business, Graduate Pest Solutions, which allows us to support organizations like these. Thank you again, and we hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
