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Celebrating Black History Month at the Shack.
United Illuminating (UI) has awarded The Shack another $10,000 to help the Valley Street community center keep up with its life-skill-based programming for local youth and seniors.
In a phone interview Monday, West Rock/West Hills alder Honda Smith said the $10,000 from UI will be put towards supporting the West Hills center’s daily activities like cooking and coding classes, tutoring, and providing food to the community.
“We’re truly honored that UI has chosen us and sees the need of the community and the people,” Smith said.
Smith said the 333 Valley St. center has become a neighborhood beacon for bringing community together and teaching youth and seniors life skills.
Recently, the Shack has been hosting cooking lessons for youth to learn basic cooking skills.
The center is also piloting programs for academic tutoring and art classes.
Scenes from the Shack...
This past December the regional power company donated a $3,000 programming grant to the Shack. UI retuned this month to keep up with its promise to return with more support.
The Shack team of volunteers and Smith also kept up their end of promise, which was to continue growing the community hub with programming and resources that the community requesst.
In addition to the center’s structured programming, youth and seniors benefit from the center by having a space to socialize, ask for help, learn to manage their time, and practice critical thinking.
“Sometimes they don’t want to leave because it’s a safe space,” Smith said. “They know when they come in they’re going to feel loved and get what they need.”
Saturday's clothing and food giveaway at the Shack.
Last week a family of eight visited the center to provide their kids with hours of cost-free entertainment and community engagement.
This past Saturday, Pastors Edgar and Denise Santaella of Bless It Forward and Pastor Jarrad McCown of Every Need Church hosted a food and clothing giveaway at the Shack. “They came in and fed and clothed community and that’s what we’re here for,” Smith said.
Regular updates about The Shack are shared on its Facebook page where upcoming events and celebrations of local youth’s academic accomplishments like making the honor role are posted.
Thank you to UI for donating to help The Shack continue its mission to helots community and provide seniors and young people lessons on life skills, support and activities. This community center should be replicated in other neighborhoods in the city and in Hamden to help create string community ties, and programming for intergenerational and senior and youth activities and to help those in need of some extra help. Alder Honda Smith has stepped up and created an oasis for her ward in the midst of the chaos of the pandemic, and should be recognized for her efforts.