Town’s Morning Movement and Mentoring Program Wins Award for Innovation

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst was recognized with the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s 2026 Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award for the Morning Movement and Mentoring Program. Various town staff and officials accepted this award at the MMA’s Connect 351 annual conference on Friday, January 23, 2026. 

The Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award recognizes municipalities that have developed unique and creative projects or programs to increase the effectiveness of local government. It is named in honor of Kenneth E. Pickard, executive secretary of the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns from 1969 to 1973. 

Held three times a week before school starts, MMMP provides a welcoming space for students to play sports, lift weights, do arts and crafts, receive homework help, and connect with peers and mentors. The program also offers field trips to college campuses, sporting events, and even the State House to inspire students to achieve academic success. The goals of the program include improving students’ physical wellness, mental health, school preparedness, and sense of belonging. Other positive impacts have been better academic grades, school attendance, and self-regulation during the school day.  

Beginning in 2023, the town partnered with the regional schools to provide funds for transportation, which improved access for students wanting to participate in MMMP who previously lacked transportation. Currently serving students in grades 7-9, the program has nearly 100 registered participants, with an average daily attendance of 45 students from diverse backgrounds. Participants self-identify as 25% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Black or African American, 22.4% White/Caucasian, 19.7% belonging to two or more races or ethnicities, and 6.6% Asian. Half of the students receive Individual Educational Plans or 504 supports for students with disabilities.  Sixty percent are eligible for free or reduced lunch. 

A key feature of MMMP is intentional mentoring, with numerous adults volunteering their time to check in with students, participate in activities, and serve as positive role models. Students and student athletes from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Amherst College regularly attend and mentor participants, fostering strong connections and inspiring students. 

The program also benefits from ongoing support and active involvement from representatives from various town departments and regional agencies, exemplifying a unified commitment to student success and community well-being. This program is truly a collaborative initiative between the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District and the Town of Amherst involving the Recreation Department, Police, Fire, and Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service (CRESS). Additional partners include Amherst College, UMass Amherst, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hampshire County Superior Court.  

The Morning Movement and Mentoring Program exemplifies Amherst’s commitment to nurturing a healthy, engaged, and inclusive youth community through meaningful activities and relationships. 

Quotes from MMMP Leadership & Partners
Maria Grove, Director of MMMP with the Town of Amherst and ARPS, and Student Leadership Development Coordinator at Amherst College: 

“As the Director of MMMP, I am deeply honored to receive this award for our program. Every day of this program is an opportunity to meet young people exactly where they are and to remind them of who they can become. This program is special because learning flows both ways; our students inspire, challenge, and teach our mentors just as much as they are supported in return. At its core, MMMP is about connection, growth, and belief—belief in our young people, belief in the power of mentorship, and belief that when students feel seen and valued, they rise. This award is not just a recognition of MMMP, but of the community we’ve built together and the incredible young people who continue to shape it every day.” 

Dr. Marta Guevara, Director of Student and Family Engagement at ARPS: 

“As a community, we were failing many students who had historically not had access to the spaces our program offers, with the adults who can mentor and guide them to be their best selves. This program has been successful in welcoming and supporting all students, while providing a sense of belonging many need. Students who attend Morning Movement and Mentoring do better academically, attend school more regularly, and experience a decline in negative behavior while in school. We are already proud of what we can offer to our students, so getting this recognition at the state level was very special.” 

Seiha Krouch, Paraeducator with ARPS and Founder of MMMP: 

“I came here to the United States from Cambodia in the 1980s as a refugee. I came with a widowed mom and six siblings, living in a two-bedroom apartment. I had no schooling or had ever been in any school setting, then was placed at Crocker Farm as a sixth grader. It was my first time ever. When I was young, I had to shovel my neighbor’s snow in order to use their hoops. I was also sneaking into Amherst College and UMass to use their facilities. Now that I work for the school, I sat back and thought about how I can make a difference. The first group of kids that I mentored are now seniors. I have been mentoring for about six years now. Most of them are doing well in academics, playing school sports, and taking AP and honors classes. My goal is and will forever be to give youth a safe place and space to exercise before and after school. My other goal is to develop trust with youth, create friendships, and demonstrate what a big family is about. I strive to teach the kids self-confidence, discipline, and positive encouragement. I feel that I make a big impact on their lives beyond high school.” 

Becky Demling, Amherst Recreation Outreach Director: 

“At its heart, MMMP is a deliberate exercise in weaving a stronger community fabric. By fostering a lasting group identity and mutual respect in this shared space, students are encouraged to build a community that transcends school walls. While the program now operates under the town’s umbrella, our schools remain the heart of this mission. The strength of the program lies in the importance of building bridges between students and their community—a culture supported by a “village” of collaborators. Through our law enforcement partners and our growing relationships with UMass and Amherst College, we create an interconnected network that surrounds every student with mentors and advocates dedicated to their growth and success.” 

William Laramee, Neighborhood Liaison Officer with the Amherst Police Department: 

“The Amherst Police Department is committed to being active participants in the community we serve and being connected to our youth is of vital importance. Our goals are to develop trust with youth, create friendships, and demonstrate that there is a big family that cares for them. There is very strong collaboration among the various departments involved in bringing this program to life. Each department contributes a unique set of experience, expertise, and resources, ensuring the program operates at a high level.” 

Dr. E. Xiomara Herman, Superintendent of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts:

“The Morning Movement and Mentoring Program shows what is possible when a community comes together around students. By creating a welcoming, supportive space before the school day begins, MMMP strengthens students’ sense of belonging, supports their physical and mental well-being, and helps them arrive at school ready to learn, connect, and succeed. The impact we see on attendance, engagement, and confidence is a powerful reminder that relationships, access, and intentional support are foundational to student success.” 

Paul Bockelman, Amherst Town Manager: 

“The success of this program is built on the vision of Seiha Krouch, the efforts and dedication of dozens of adults committed to mentoring the youth of our community, and especially the commitment of so many young people who were motivated to get up extra early to participate.“