Holyoke Bound : Current Issues

Current Issues

The city of Holyoke is located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. For a brief overview, read the Holyoke Community Profile prepared by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and the published by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.

Economic Development
- Green Businesses in Holyoke The Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, Pioneer Valley Railroad, and Holyoke Gas & Electric sponsored the creation of seven brief videos about the benefits of locating businesses, especially green businesses, in the city of Holyoke.
- 2009 Annual Regional Labor Market Information Profile for Hampden County published by the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development
  - Information concerning Holyoke within publication:
    Labor Force, p. 13
    Unemployment Rate, p. 14
    Population, p.31
    Daytime Population & Employment Residence Ratios, p.36
    Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce is a member-run organization that began in 1890, and aims to strengthen the economy of Greater Holyoke.
    If you are looking for a business or want to gain a general sense of the industries located within Holyoke, MA this a helpful directory to browse.
  - Housing
    - Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
      This non-profit fair housing organization works to eliminate illegal housing discrimination in Massachusetts. Their website provides a wealth of information about fair housing laws, as well as other publications and findings.
      - Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing in Holyoke
        This document, prepared by the Fair Housing Center of Massachusetts in 2006, explores the many housing and housing-related policies and practices in use throughout the City of Holyoke, with a specific focus on how these policies inadvertently or deliberately prevent people from living where they desire.
      - Analysis of Foreclosure in Holyoke
        This final 2005 report by the UMASS-HPN Community Outreach Partnership Center Grant explores the foreclosure trends in Holyoke in hopes of better identifying next steps to preventing urban disinvestment.
      - Holyoke Community Information Database is an information and referral database for those who wish to learn more about various social services in Holyoke and become aware of volunteer opportunities.
      - Passport Holyoke is a website intended to help residents and visitors of Holyoke to discover what the city has to offer. On this website a list of the latest events, with brief descriptions, are available.
    - Health and Environment
      - MedlinePlus Go Local is a website that provides information about health services available within Massachusetts. For information about Health services in Holyoke visit the Hampden County section of the website, or click here: http://apps.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/local/massachusetts/list_service.cfm?areaid=10&location_id=8&location_type=Region&service_type=all&invokedby=locations
      - Holyoke Health Services
        The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce provides on their website a general overview of the various health services available to Holyoke residents, including hospitals, health centers, home care, and assisted living facilities.
      - Current Environmental Information for Holyoke
        The United States Environmental Protection Agency website provides up to date information about the air and water quality of Hampden county and the city of Holyoke. Additional environmental information is also available at this website.
    - Education
      - Educational achievement in Holyoke is burdened by complex and persistent socio-economic challenges. To date, the drop-out rate in the Holyoke Public School system is 11%, with a graduation rate of 51%. Nearly 20% of Holyoke public school students are homeless, and 76% receive free or reduced lunch
      - Holyoke Community College is located in the heart of Holyoke, MA and provides comprehensive, high-quality educational opportunities that are responsive to Holyoke community needs.
        Performance Measurement Report for Holyoke Community College by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
        Provides brief overview of Holyoke Community College’s collaborations, enrollment data, accessibility, and student success indicators.
      - Holyoke Public School District
        Holyoke Public School District Profile provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
        School Listings
        Enrollment Data
        Spring 2009 MCAS Scores
        Mobility Report 2009
        The Holyoke Public School District completed a study on student mobility as it relates to performance on MCAS. Students were considered mobile if they had been in the district less than five years. The study found that student mobility averaged approximately 40% in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. The analysis of the data provides evidence that student mobility negatively impacts student performance on the MCAS.
        2007-2011 Technology PlanThe Holyoke Public School District’s plan to provide students with technology rich learning environments that use up-to-date educational technology.
        2010 Budget This document provides a general sense of how funds and resources will be allocated across the Holyoke Public School District and various areas, such as educational technology, maintenance, curriculum, testing, special education, student services, athletics, and transportation.

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	Current Issues The city of Holyoke is located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. For a brief overview, read the Holyoke Community Profile prepared by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and the published by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. Economic Development Green Businesses in Holyoke The Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, Pioneer Valley Railroad, and Holyoke Gas & Electric sponsored the creation of seven brief videos about the benefits of locating businesses, especially green businesses, in the city of Holyoke. 2009 Annual Regional Labor Market Information Profile for Hampden County published by the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Information concerning Holyoke within publication: Labor Force, p. 13 Unemployment Rate, p. 14 Population, p.31 Daytime Population & Employment Residence Ratios, p.36 Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce is a member-run organization that began in 1890, and aims to strengthen the economy of Greater Holyoke. If you are looking for a business or want to gain a general sense of the industries located within Holyoke, MA this a helpful directory to browse. Housing Massachusetts Fair Housing Center This non-profit fair housing organization works to eliminate illegal housing discrimination in Massachusetts. Their website provides a wealth of information about fair housing laws, as well as other publications and findings. Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing in Holyoke This document, prepared by the Fair Housing Center of Massachusetts in 2006, explores the many housing and housing-related policies and practices in use throughout the City of Holyoke, with a specific focus on how these policies inadvertently or deliberately prevent people from living where they desire. Analysis of Foreclosure in Holyoke This final 2005 report by the UMASS-HPN Community Outreach Partnership Center Grant explores the foreclosure trends in Holyoke in hopes of better identifying next steps to preventing urban disinvestment. Holyoke Community Information Database is an information and referral database for those who wish to learn more about various social services in Holyoke and become aware of volunteer opportunities. Passport Holyoke is a website intended to help residents and visitors of Holyoke to discover what the city has to offer. On this website a list of the latest events, with brief descriptions, are available. Health and Environment MedlinePlus Go Local is a website that provides information about health services available within Massachusetts. For information about Health services in Holyoke visit the Hampden County section of the website, or click here: http://apps.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/local/massachusetts/list_service.cfm?areaid=10&location_id=8&location_type=Region&service_type=all&invokedby=locations Holyoke Health Services The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce provides on their website a general overview of the various health services available to Holyoke residents, including hospitals, health centers, home care, and assisted living facilities. Current Environmental Information for Holyoke The United States Environmental Protection Agency website provides up to date information about the air and water quality of Hampden county and the city of Holyoke. Additional environmental information is also available at this website. Education Educational achievement in Holyoke is burdened by complex and persistent socio-economic challenges. To date, the drop-out rate in the Holyoke Public School system is 11%, with a graduation rate of 51%. Nearly 20% of Holyoke public school students are homeless, and 76% receive free or reduced lunch Holyoke Community College is located in the heart of Holyoke, MA and provides comprehensive, high-quality educational opportunities that are responsive to Holyoke community needs. Performance Measurement Report for Holyoke Community College by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Provides brief overview of Holyoke Community College’s collaborations, enrollment data, accessibility, and student success indicators. Holyoke Public School District Holyoke Public School District Profile provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education School Listings Enrollment Data Spring 2009 MCAS Scores Mobility Report 2009 The Holyoke Public School District completed a study on student mobility as it relates to performance on MCAS. Students were considered mobile if they had been in the district less than five years. The study found that student mobility averaged approximately 40% in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. The analysis of the data provides evidence that student mobility negatively impacts student performance on the MCAS. 2007-2011 Technology PlanThe Holyoke Public School District’s plan to provide students with technology rich learning environments that use up-to-date educational technology. 2010 Budget This document provides a general sense of how funds and resources will be allocated across the Holyoke Public School District and various areas, such as educational technology, maintenance, curriculum, testing, special education, student services, athletics, and transportation.