The Hampden District Attorney’s Office and Holyoke Public Schools have partnered on a new educational initiative that provides forfeited vehicles for high school students to work on in support of their hands-on learning.
The Hampden District Attorney’s Office created the FUEL program (Forfeiture Used for Educational Learning) so that vehicles forfeited through criminal proceedings and no longer needed for law enforcement purposes can be transferred to educational partners. Holyoke Public Schools is the first partner to receive cars under the program.
For Dean Tech students, this means there are 13 donated vehicles now on school grounds that they can begin working on soon. In prior years, Dean students had just a small number of vehicles to work on—and some of those were deliberately damaged multiple times just so students could continue to practice their skills. Thanks to the FUEL program, they now have access to a wide range of vehicles in varying conditions to work on this year.
The FUEL partnership was officially unveiled on Wednesday, September 23 during a press conference held on the Dean campus organized by Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.
Among those speaking during the press conference was Dean Principal Roseanne Caracciolo, who shared her thanks and appreciation to the District Attorney’s office, the Massachusetts State Police, Interstate Towing, and the school’s community partners.
“At Dean Tech, we believe that some of the most meaningful learning happens when our students can connect what they learn in the classroom and in our technical shops to real-world experiences,” she said. “Partnerships like this show our students that the skills they are developing matter and that there are professionals throughout our community who are invested in their success. For our students, having leaders from law enforcement, local government, industry, and the community come into their school sends an important message: You are seen, you are valued, and your future matters.”
At the conclusion of her remarks, Principal Caracciolo introduced Dean Tech senior David Collins who is enrolled in the school’s Diesel Technology program.
“As CTE students, we learn best when we have opportunities to take what we learn in the shop and connect it to the real world,” David told those assembled. “Programs like this give us a chance to learn from professionals, gain hands-on experience, and understand how the skills we are developing can lead to careers after high school. It also means a lot to know that people in our community are thinking about Dean Tech students and are willing to invest their time and resources in us. Thank you for choosing Dean Tech and for giving us this opportunity. We are excited to be part of the FUEL program and to show you what Dean Tech students can do.”
Under the agreement, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office will identify eligible forfeited vehicles and transfer ownership to Holyoke Public Schools once each vehicle has been cleared by law enforcement. Holyoke Public Schools will then use the vehicles as instructional tools, helping students build practical skills while preparing for careers in the automotive industry.
“These vehicles have had long lives, including use in criminal enterprise, but through FUEL, they can now serve an entirely new—and positive—purpose,” said District Attorney Gulluni.
FUEL originated with Detective Lieutenant Liam Jones of the Hampden District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit, who recognized that eligible forfeited vehicles could become valuable training tools for vocational students.
“One of the most important investments we can make in the future of our communities is ensuring that young people have the skills, confidence, and practical experience necessary to graduate prepared to enter the workforce and pursue meaningful careers,” said Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble.
Interstate Towing supported the launch of FUEL by providing towing services at no cost so that all 13 vehicles could be moved from the storage lot to Dean Tech, without creating an additional transportation expense for the program.
Superintendent Jackie Glasheen thanked all those who have made this program possible. “Since I launched my superintendency, I’ve talked a lot about becoming one team in service of students and families in the Holyoke Public Schools. That one team is not just the Holyoke Public Schools staff. It is also our community partners who are providing a better opportunity for our students to learn.”
