January 22, 2024

WHO: Keshawn Dodds, Boys & Girls Club Family Center

WHAT: Teen Summit on Gun Violence

WHEN: Thursday, February 29, 2024, 3:00pm – 6:00pm

WHERE: Boys & Girls Club Family Center, 100 Acorn Street, Springfield, MA

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FAMILY CENTER IN CONJUNCTION WITH NICOLE COAKLEY AND TRACY HILL TO HOST A TEEN SUMMIT TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE – MY VOICE, MY STORY, MY FUTURE

SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Thursday, February 29, 2024, between the hours of 3:00pm – 6:00pm, the Boys & Girls Club Family Center, in conjunction with Nicole Coakley and Tracy Hill will host a Teen Summit to curb gun violence. This is part of the Charles E. Shannon grant initiative and is called, “My Voice, My Story, My Future.” The event will take place at the Boys & Girls Club Family Center, located at 100 Acorn Street, Springfield, MA 01109. The Teen Summit will feature teens from various local high schools, and our newly appointed Police Chief, Larry Akers. There will be a panel of speakers that will feature a victim and a survivor of gun violence, a student, and a parent who has been impacted by gun violence, as well as outreach workers who work closely with juveniles in gangs.

The Boys & Girls Club Family Center is proud to work with Nicole Coakley and Tracy Hill to put on this much needed Teen Summit on Gun Violence. Keshawn Dodds, the Executive Director, stated. “When I was contacted by Nicole and Tracy to create a Teen Summit about gun violence, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. With the work that we have been doing with the Free Universal Pass to offer access to all Community Centers in the city of Springfield for teens, this is the crucial next step for us to listen to our teens about how we can help them deal with this critical issue.”

Tracey Hill says. “A teen summit on gun violence is crucial because it provides a platform for young people to engage in meaningful discussions, share personal experiences, and propose solutions to a pervasive and urgent issue. By empowering teens to address gun violence, the summit can amplify their voices, foster empathy, and catalyze positive change within their communities.” Nicole Coakley adds. “It offers an opportunity for education, awareness, and collaboration among youth from diverse backgrounds, promoting understanding and unity. Additionally, such a summit can inspire leadership, advocacy, and activism, equipping teens with the tools to drive impactful social transformation and contribute to a safer, more secure future for themselves and generations to come.”

The Teen Summit will take place at the Boys & Girls Club Family Center on Thursday, February 29, 2024, between the hours of 3:00pm – 6:00pm. For more information, please contact Executive Director, Keshawn Dodds at: [email protected]; 413-334-0974, Nicole Coakley at: [email protected]; 413-342-8009, or Tracy Hill at: [email protected]; 413-725-0022.

100 Acorn Street – Springfield, MA 01109

413-739-4743 (O) –413-334-0975 (C)–www.bgcfamilycenter.org