Editor’s Note: Photo courtesy of Hoops & Homework
[broadstreet zone=”58610″]
FRAMINGHAM – To celebrate the opening of a new center in Framingham, the 11-member City Council unanimously declared Thursday, February 25 Hoops & Homework Day in the City of Framingham, at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The proclamation was submitted to the City Council by District 6 Councilor Phil Ottaviani Jr.
In 2012, then Town Meeting Member Herb Chasan, along with former long-time Framingham Parks & Recreation Commissioner Joan Rastani and long-time Town Meeting member Ned Price, and many others formed Hoops & Homeworkto provide after school enrichment programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth, states the proclamation.
[broadstreet zone=”53230″]
“Whereas, Hoops & Homework, with Cochituate Cooperative Homes, Framingham Housing Authority, and neighbors surveyed the lowest income census tracts in MetroWest to assess need and ultimately secure space and support to provide such programming modeled after the Pelham Recreation Center; Whereas, At the Fall Town Meeting in 2012 the town of Framingham made a one-time appropriation of $81,000 to start the program; Whereas, Hoops & Homework secured private donations and competitive grants to sustain and grow the program,” stated the proclamation.
“Whereas, Hoops & Homework in 2014 registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and became a recognized non-profit; Whereas, Hoops & Homework in 2016 secured a state appropriation from Senator Karen E. Spilka; Whereas, Hoops & Homework in 2016 constructed and opened a basketball court with the assistance of Attorney General Maura Healey; Whereas, Hoops & Homework in 2017 became a state licensed after school and summer program; Whereas, Hoops & Homework in 2018 with the assistance of Priscilla Sousa and Rick Finlay organized and built a playground,” continued the proclamation.
[broadstreet zone=”54526″]
“Whereas, Hoops & Homework in the Spring of 2021 will open a new center; Now Therefore, the Framingham Council declares Thursday, February 25 as H O O P S & H O M E W O R K D A Y in Framingham, and we urge all residents to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance,” concluded the proclamation.
Chestnut Hill Realty 
MassBay Community College