I’m on it.

By // April 13, 2016

My name is Alexis Diaz de Jesus. My story begins in South Holyoke where I’ve realized what’s helpful, and what’s not; who sticks around, and who goes. My biggest lesson so far: The street shows no love. Before coming to LightHouse I was sometimes inappropriate and ignorant. Often I did not respect my elders. But when I came to LightHouse, … Read More

Art Show! Friday, April 15

By // April 5, 2016

LightHouse has attracted an impressive number of artists. More than half of the students in our program spend substantial time creating visual art pieces of all kinds, and take part in the many art classes we’ve been offering this year. On Friday, April 15 they will be showing their work at an opening reception, 4:00-7:00 pm in the lobby of … Read More

Call for Artists

call for artists lighthouse holyoke

By // February 21, 2016

With the support of The Holyoke Cultural Council and Whole Foods, LightHouse is hosting a Teen Art Show in the lobby of the STEAM Building to open on Friday, April 15, 4:00-7:00pm. Call for Artists application is available now. Space in the show will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and the application will close on March 24. Any … Read More

Nelson!!!

By // November 7, 2015

Congratulations, Nelson!  We are so proud of our LightHouse Associate Director who was elected to the Holyoke City Council on November 3.  Ward Two is lucky to have such a tireless advocate working on their behalf (and LightHouse is thrilled and fortunate to have him the rest of the time!)

Thanks, People’s Bank!

By // October 7, 2015

Our Money Class had a little field trip up to People’s Bank on High St. yesterday, where we spent an hour with head-teller, Rosa Alvarrez.  It was pretty fun!  We had a tour of the bank and learned about their various credit-building programs for young people, and lots more about banking in general.  Super useful information. Thanks very much for … Read More

North Star and LightHouse: Two School Alternatives Available on Either End of the Valley

By // June 18, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NORTH STAR AND LIGHTHOUSE: TWO SCHOOL ALTERNATIVES NOW AVAILABLE ON BOTH ENDS OF THE PIONEER VALLEY   After 13 years in Hadley, North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens packed it all up this week and moved to Sunderland. “Hadley has been wonderful for us.” says North Star Executive Director, Ken Danford.  “The Russell Street School building has been … Read More

Press Release: $125K gift and signed lease for 3500 sq ft in the STEAM building

STEAM building

By // May 30, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LightHouse Personalized Education for Teens receives $125,000 to build new facility in Holyoke’s Race St. STEAM building After nine months of conversations and planning, LightHouse Personalized Education for Teens has signed a 10-year lease with Lori Divine and the partners of SPS Investments, LLC for 3500 sq ft. on the second floor of STEAM building at 208 Race St. in the Innovation … Read More

Does receivership matter for LightHouse?

By // May 13, 2015

During an interview with a local news station this week, Catherine and I were asked about our position on the receivership of Holyoke Public Schools. It was recently announced that the state is putting the entire school system into receivership, which means that the schools are now under state—not local—control. The Commissioner of Education, Mitchell Chester, will appoint a “receiver” … Read More

Lucky us! Making Holyoke connections

By // March 9, 2015

Lucky for us, LightHouse doesn’t have all the resources it needs- not even close- and so we absolutely have to make partnerships and connections and collaborate. LightHouse can’t just plop itself down in Holyoke and open for business, we don’t have the money.  How lucky is that?! This scarcity creates the necessity to build a network and get input.  What’s … Read More

Why Holyoke?

By // February 26, 2015

We’ve been asked a lot why we decided to launch LightHouse in Holyoke. There are a couple of reasons why Holyoke presents a great opportunity for this program. First, teens should have the opportunity to choose from a variety of educational options, being able to decide for themselves and their family what is the best fit. In and around Holyoke … Read More