Israel Rivera For Holyoke City Council At Large

01/06/2026

Good evening.

First and foremost, I want to thank my family, friends, colleagues, and supporters who have reached out over the past week. Your prayers, well wishes, and messages of encouragement have meant more to me and my family than I can put into words. Please know that none of it has gone unnoticed.

I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their confidence and trust in electing me to represent our Council as the City of Holyoke’s very first Vice President. As a kid from the flats who genuinely loves his community, his friends, and his family, this is truly an unbelievable and humbling moment.

From my roots at the Toepfert Boys & Girls Club—a small but powerful community space provided by the Holyoke Housing Authority that still exists today—to the mentors and staff who looked like me and lived in my neighborhoods, this moment feels full circle in every way.

I have always been honest about who I am, where I come from, and what I stand for—and those values have never wavered. I remain committed to public safety and to reshaping what it means to serve the people of Holyoke by meeting them where they are. I am committed to modernizing our municipal finances to ensure a future that is not only sustainable, but prosperous. Above all, I am committed to the great City of Holyoke.

Our journey is not a cookie-cutter one. It is not a path that has been neatly outlined for us. It is a journey shaped by every individual who has called Holyoke home—past, present, and future.

I am proud to be Made in Holyoke.

Rest in power to my brothers Justin Chavez (Extraordinaire) and Dextor Ortiz. Both of you played pivotal roles in shaping my life. Thank you. May your spirit continue to watch over us all.

11/05/2025

Thank you, Holyoke!

I’m truly honored to serve another term as your At-Large City Councilor. The Rivera family is humbled, grateful, and blessed by the incredible support of our friends, family, and constituents across the city.

I want to take a moment to shout out and credit all my former teachers, coaches, and mentors from the Boys & Girls Club, along with the friends I’ve made throughout this journey of life growing up in Holyoke. The life spoken into me as a youth running these streets is part of the foundation of who I am today.

Let’s continue building a stronger, more united Holyoke together — one rooted in hope, opportunity, and community.

11/03/2025

As we approach Election Day, I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the candidates running for office here in Holyoke.

This journey has its ups and downs — it takes you away from family at times, yet also brings you closer to friends, neighbors, and community. It can strengthen some relationships and challenge others, but that’s what the democratic process is all about. We debate, we disagree, we advocate passionately — and when it’s all said and done, we come together to move Holyoke forward.

To every volunteer, supporter, and resident who’s held a sign, knocked on doors, or simply showed up — thank you. Whether you stood for me or for someone else, your engagement keeps our democracy alive. Thank you for caring, for showing up, and for believing in this city we all call home.

Let’s keep working together for a better Holyoke.

10/31/2025

While some are focused on winning campaigns, my focus is on making sure our families are cared for — especially during this government shutdown.

As a kid raised on government assistance, I know what it feels like when times get tough and the support systems families rely on start to slip away. No parent should have to worry about how to put food on the table or whether their children will have enough to eat.

Access to healthy food is not a privilege — it’s a right.

If you’re able, please consider donating non-perishable goods to one of the many locations across our city that are stepping up to help: City Hall, Enlace de Familias, Margaret’s Pantry, and the Holyoke School Department (these are locations I am familiar with, I'm sure others accepting donations as well).

Holyoke has always been strongest when we take care of one another — and now is one of those times.

🔗 https://l.masslive.com/u7j9pk
In many of Massachusetts’ largest cities, the percentage of the population who receive SNAP benefits is over 20%.