(EASTHAMPTON 3/1/2022) With the recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding legislation signed into law by Governor Baker, State Senator John C. Velis today presented earmark funding of $2,000,000 to the Treehouse Foundation in Easthampton. Senator Velis secured the funding to assist Treehouse in establishing two additional outcome-based, multi-cultural, Treehouse intergenerational communities in Massachusetts.
“We are so grateful that the Commonwealth is investing in expansion of the intergenerational Treehouse Community model in Massachusetts. Thanks to Senator Velis’ leadership, more children and youth who experience foster care will be rooted in family” said Treehouse Foundation Founder and Executive Director Judy Cockerton.
The Treehouse Foundation opened its first location in Easthampton in 2006, offering an intergenerational community experience in their Easthampton Meadows neighborhood. Treehouse Easthampton is a place where adoptive families and their children, older youth, and elders invest in one another’s health, dreams, and futures.
“Friendship is a big part of what happens with us here” said longtime Treehouse resident Rosa Young. Rosa went on to explain how much being a part of the community means to her. While undergoing chemotherapy she would play scrabble with the children in the community and enjoy baked goods courtesy of her neighbors.
As Vice Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Senator Velis also touted the tremendous impact that intergenerational community living as on fostered youth as well, “The national high school graduation rate for youth in foster care is 58 percent, while the rate for students who have grown up in Treehouse Easthampton is 95 percent.” said Senator Velis.
Senator Velis noted that advocating for organizations like Treehouse is a major priority of his as Senator.
“When I get out and speak to people who are doing great things for our community, I want to support however I can. A big part of my job is going down to Boston, zealously advocating, and securing funds so that folks like Judy Cockerton and the Treehouse Foundation can continue and expand their work.” said Senator Velis.
Senator Velis was joined by State Representative Daniel Carey, District Attorney David Sullivan, Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, Treehouse Founder and Director Judy Cockerton, officials from the Treehouse Foundation, and members of the Treehouse community.
###