05/28/2026
HERizon Concludes Inaugural Year with Reflection, Growth and Plans for the Future
May 28, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hampden District Attorney’s Office recently concluded the inaugural year of HERizon, a young women’s empowerment program created to foster confidence, connection, leadership and self-growth among high school girls across Hampden County.
The final meeting of the year centered around an open roundtable discussion, encouraging participants to reflect on what they learned throughout the program, what they were proud of accomplishing this year and how they had grown both personally and socially.
To begin the discussion, participants were asked to describe how they were feeling in one word. Many girls chose words such as “sad,” “emotional” and “bittersweet,” reflecting on the reality that the evening marked the final HERizon meeting of the year — and for several graduating seniors, their final HERizon meeting altogether.
During the discussion, participants were invited to ask candid questions to the women facilitators from the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, many of whom are in their mid-20s to early 30s. One of the central questions posed by the girls was whether life in your 20s is “scary.”
Facilitators acknowledged that life after high school and college can feel intimidating, but emphasized that with age often comes greater confidence, maturity and opportunity. Several women reflected that while uncertainty is natural in early adulthood, their late 20s and 30s became some of the most fulfilling years of their lives thus far, explaining that over time they became more secure in themselves, more intentional in relationships and more certain about who they wanted to be.
“At its core, HERizon was always about creating a safe and authentic space for young women to feel heard, supported and empowered,” said Hampden District Attorney Gulluni. “Watching these girls build confidence in themselves, form meaningful friendships, and openly discuss challenges they are facing has been incredibly powerful. The feedback we received confirmed exactly why programs like this matter.”
As part of the final meeting, participants were gifted commemorative HERizon sweatshirts from the District Attorney’s Office featuring the program’s logo — a rising half sun with the word “HERizon” across the front — symbolizing growth, hope and the future ahead.
Students also discussed ideas for the future of the program, including returning to the office over the summer to help shape next year’s meetings, brainstorming ways to encourage more girls to participate, and offering suggestions for future topics and activities.
The evening concluded with an anonymous feedback session where participants were encouraged to share honest reflections on their experience during the program’s first year.
Overall, participants rated their experience an average of 4.8 out of 5, with 100% of participants reporting that HERizon helped them grow “a lot” as a person.
Several participants described HERizon as a place where they felt genuinely seen, supported, and comfortable opening up.
“It was a breath of fresh air to connect with other girls face to face and build a community,” one participant shared anonymously.
Another participant wrote, “I loved being able to open up. Besides my own room, I feel like this was the room I was most comfortable. I think being in HERizon correlates to my increased confidence and the fact that I made so many friends this year.”
Others reflected on the relationships formed throughout the year, with one participant writing that the women facilitators at the District Attorney’s Office had “become like older sisters,” while another shared that the women involved in HERizon “showed me how I want to live my life when I get older.”
Participants also highlighted increased confidence, healthier boundaries, improved self-worth and personal growth as major impacts of the program.
“My confidence is so much better,” one participant wrote. “The way I treat myself and my discipline has become better. This program allowed me to better reflect on myself.”
Another shared, “I’m more social and confident around people I don’t know well.”
Throughout the year, HERizon explored topics including confidence and empowerment, healthy relationships, positive self-talk, self-love, mental health, navigating stress and personal growth through both discussions and interactive activities. Participants also took part in hands-on workshops and conversations led by guest speakers throughout the year. One session featured a doula who spoke about women’s health and menstrual cycles. Another gave participants practical car maintenance lessons with Bob “the Bike Guy” Charland, who taught skills such as changing windshield wiper fluid, checking oil and changing a tire. HERizon also hosted a career panel featuring women working in entrepreneurship, law enforcement, healthcare, and mental health fields.
The Hampden District Attorney’s Office launched HERizon for the 2025-2026 school year as part of its ongoing commitment to youth outreach, prevention, and community engagement. The program is facilitated by young women staff members from across the office and focuses on helping girls build confidence, leadership skills, and meaningful peer connections in a supportive environment.
For more information about HERizon or to inquire about joining the program, contact Hampden District Attorney’s Office Community Safety and Outreach Specialist Halie Matthew at [email protected].
