MLK Day Restoring Justice, Reclaiming the Dream

Each year, as we gather to honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of the life, legacy and unshakeable moral leadership of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s theme, “Restoring Justice. Reclaiming the Dream.,” invites us all to rise together in a moment when Dr. King’s vision urgently calls for renewed commitment, courage, and collective action.

The MLK Day Collaborative invites you to “MLK Day 2026: Restoring Justice. Reclaiming the Dream.” On Monday, January 19, 2026 at the MassMutual Center for an Arts & Wellness Expo from 12:30pm to 2:00pm with the program beginning at 2:00pm.
12:30 – 2:00pm – Arts & Wellness Expo, MassMutual Center
2:00 – 4:00pm – MLK Day Program, MassMutual Center

All are welcome as we open the doors of the MassMutual Center to the public at 12:30pm with artistic expressions, exhibitions, and vendors in the lobby entrance followed by an awe-inspiring, purpose driven program where over 800 youth and supporting adult participants will manifest our theme through inspiring spoken word, dance & music presentations featuring: MLK Charter School of Excellence, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services’ Youth & Clemente Program, Community Music School of Springfield’s Sonido Musica, String City Festival Orchestra, Springfield CommUnity Chorale, Young at Heart Chorus, Children’s Chorus of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools students, and more.

Mark your calendars now and bring the family!

This is our moment to step forward as the Living Legacies of Dr. King—to confront what’s broken, amplify what’s possible, and push the moral arc with intention and power.

Join us at the events that will shape this year’s MLK Day and the next chapter of our movement by following our event page at the link below, including the City’s Flag Raising at Springfield City Hall on January 16, and Springfield Symphony Orchestra MLK Day Concert featuring MoTown & The Philly Sound on January 17. Event and other MLK events here: https://www.mlkjrfamilyservices.org/event/2755/

Sponsorships available. Contact Claudia at cpazmany@mlkjrfs.org

Supervisory Skills Certificate Series: Winter 2026

Give new supervisors the skills they need to succeed.  If you are planning on promoting, or have just promoted someone to a supervisory position help them hit the ground running with this 8 week course.  With HSF’s strong team of seasoned presenters covering a wide range of knowledge from different points of view, we cover theory, soft skills, and hard facts.  Conversation topics range from harassment law and insurance liability to finding common purpose in a team and how to transition from peer to supervisor, and much much more.

Register an individual who is eligible for a certificate, or a space for your agency to send someone different to each session depending on who the topic will benefit most.

This series is presented over Zoom. Series runs 8 consecutive weeks starting  February 4th 9am-12:30pm all session.  Full series is $600 for members, $1200 for nonmembers.

Series Topics:

  • Supervising Former Peers and Establishing Healthy Boundaries

This training equips internally promoted leaders with the tools to successfully manage former peers while fostering trust, accountability, and healthy team dynamics. Leaders will explore the psychological and practical aspects of  transitioning into authority roles, develop strategies for setting and enforcing boundaries, refine their leadership identity, and enhance their communication and feedback techniques.

Presented by Will Weche; Willful Change LLC

  • Employment Law 

Avoid missteps that can lead to expensive and time-consuming litigation.  Learn from practicing attorneys on the wording of the law, along with how that wording is actually applied. Covering a wide range of subjects to clear up misconceptions and acknowledging pitfalls, this session is packed with useful information that every organization needs.

Presented by Skoler-Abbott

  • Team Building and Conflict Resolution

Through discussions that will include team activities and individual reflection, forge a shared understanding of team-building and the essential skills for conflict resolution and negotiation that facilitate the development of strong, cohesive, effective teams. Make your team stronger than the sum of their parts, drive unity, and be able to address conflict when it does happen.

Presented by Dr. Lucie Lewis and Janine Fondon

  • Cyber Security 

With the threat of cyber attacks continuing to rise, with an increased focus on social engineering, no one can afford to hide their heads in the sand and pretend that everything is ok.  With a focus on practical, simple, daily steps that one can take, this session seeks to minimize risk to you, your organization, and your clients.

Presented by Chris Wisneski; Whittlesey

  • Retention: Rewards and Accountability 

People don’t leave jobs; they leave bad supervisors. This session puts a focus on how a supervisor can strengthen and grow those who report to them, creating an environment where employees want to stay.  Covering how to multiple the strengths of your team, how to discipline in a way that productive, and how to praise, we will learn how to create a work environment centered on retention.

Presented by Diana Brooks; Diana Brooks Associates

  • Culturally Responsive Supervision

Join us as we take a deep look at the many aspects that make up our identities and how they impact our leadership,  our organizations and the people we serve.  Improve our skills in having conversations about our differences in a way that encourages learning and growth while building intersectional resilience.  We will strengthen our ability to have important dialogues, navigate predictable tensions and avoid pitfalls that lead to disconnection. This session helps supervisors cultivate trusting, creative and connected diverse working relationships.

Presented by Regi Wingo and JAC Patriss; Growing a New Heart

  • Liability and Benefit

Gain a better understanding of Insurance, and how it affects you, your team and your organizations. Understand what coverage you have, and might need, in a variety of situations from daily operations to special fundraising events.  Learn the various forms of benefits available to understand what you have and be able to help explain to your team what their options are.

Presented by Ben Garvey and Val Francis; Hub International

  • Leadership Communication

This session looks at the building blocks of communicating clear messages to others.  In a core aspect of leadership that is often taken for granted, those who excel at communicating often excel in supervision.  Learn to avoid noise and interference, and how to properly process feedback to fine tune your messages for clearer understanding.

Presented by Jeff Tingley; Human Service Forum

 

Supervisory Skills Series Sponsor:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Arbor Associates     
The Beveridge Family Foundation     
BHN
Guidewire     
Hub International New England
Whittlesey

 

Supervisory Skills Certificate Series: Winter 2026

Give new supervisors the skills they need to succeed.  If you are planning on promoting, or have just promoted someone to a supervisory position help them hit the ground running with this 8 week course.  With HSF’s strong team of seasoned presenters covering a wide range of knowledge from different points of view, we cover theory, soft skills, and hard facts.  Conversation topics range from harassment law and insurance liability to finding common purpose in a team and how to transition from peer to supervisor, and much much more.

Register an individual who is eligible for a certificate, or a space for your agency to send someone different to each session depending on who the topic will benefit most.

This series is presented over Zoom. Series runs 8 consecutive weeks starting  February 4th 9am-12:30pm all session.  Full series is $600 for members, $1200 for nonmembers.

Series Topics:

  • Supervising Former Peers and Establishing Healthy Boundaries

This training equips internally promoted leaders with the tools to successfully manage former peers while fostering trust, accountability, and healthy team dynamics. Leaders will explore the psychological and practical aspects of  transitioning into authority roles, develop strategies for setting and enforcing boundaries, refine their leadership identity, and enhance their communication and feedback techniques.

Presented by Will Weche; Willful Change LLC

  • Employment Law 

Avoid missteps that can lead to expensive and time-consuming litigation.  Learn from practicing attorneys on the wording of the law, along with how that wording is actually applied. Covering a wide range of subjects to clear up misconceptions and acknowledging pitfalls, this session is packed with useful information that every organization needs.

Presented by Skoler-Abbott

  • Team Building and Conflict Resolution

Through discussions that will include team activities and individual reflection, forge a shared understanding of team-building and the essential skills for conflict resolution and negotiation that facilitate the development of strong, cohesive, effective teams. Make your team stronger than the sum of their parts, drive unity, and be able to address conflict when it does happen.

Presented by Dr. Lucie Lewis and Janine Fondon

  • Cyber Security 

With the threat of cyber attacks continuing to rise, with an increased focus on social engineering, no one can afford to hide their heads in the sand and pretend that everything is ok.  With a focus on practical, simple, daily steps that one can take, this session seeks to minimize risk to you, your organization, and your clients.

Presented by Chris Wisneski; Whittlesey

  • Retention: Rewards and Accountability 

People don’t leave jobs; they leave bad supervisors. This session puts a focus on how a supervisor can strengthen and grow those who report to them, creating an environment where employees want to stay.  Covering how to multiple the strengths of your team, how to discipline in a way that productive, and how to praise, we will learn how to create a work environment centered on retention.

Presented by Diana Brooks; Diana Brooks Associates

  • Culturally Responsive Supervision

Join us as we take a deep look at the many aspects that make up our identities and how they impact our leadership,  our organizations and the people we serve.  Improve our skills in having conversations about our differences in a way that encourages learning and growth while building intersectional resilience.  We will strengthen our ability to have important dialogues, navigate predictable tensions and avoid pitfalls that lead to disconnection. This session helps supervisors cultivate trusting, creative and connected diverse working relationships.

Presented by Regi Wingo and JAC Patriss; Growing a New Heart

  • Liability and Benefit

Gain a better understanding of Insurance, and how it affects you, your team and your organizations. Understand what coverage you have, and might need, in a variety of situations from daily operations to special fundraising events.  Learn the various forms of benefits available to understand what you have and be able to help explain to your team what their options are.

Presented by Ben Garvey and Val Francis; Hub International

  • Leadership Communication

This session looks at the building blocks of communicating clear messages to others.  In a core aspect of leadership that is often taken for granted, those who excel at communicating often excel in supervision.  Learn to avoid noise and interference, and how to properly process feedback to fine tune your messages for clearer understanding.

Presented by Jeff Tingley; Human Service Forum

 

Supervisory Skills Series Sponsor:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Arbor Associates     
The Beveridge Family Foundation     
BHN
Guidewire     
Hub International New England
Whittlesey

 

Supervisory Skills Certificate Series: Winter 2026

Give new supervisors the skills they need to succeed.  If you are planning on promoting, or have just promoted someone to a supervisory position help them hit the ground running with this 8 week course.  With HSF’s strong team of seasoned presenters covering a wide range of knowledge from different points of view, we cover theory, soft skills, and hard facts.  Conversation topics range from harassment law and insurance liability to finding common purpose in a team and how to transition from peer to supervisor, and much much more.

Register an individual who is eligible for a certificate, or a space for your agency to send someone different to each session depending on who the topic will benefit most.

This series is presented over Zoom. Series runs 8 consecutive weeks starting  February 4th 9am-12:30pm all session.  Full series is $600 for members, $1200 for nonmembers.

Series Topics:

  • Supervising Former Peers and Establishing Healthy Boundaries

This training equips internally promoted leaders with the tools to successfully manage former peers while fostering trust, accountability, and healthy team dynamics. Leaders will explore the psychological and practical aspects of  transitioning into authority roles, develop strategies for setting and enforcing boundaries, refine their leadership identity, and enhance their communication and feedback techniques.

Presented by Will Weche; Willful Change LLC

  • Employment Law 

Avoid missteps that can lead to expensive and time-consuming litigation.  Learn from practicing attorneys on the wording of the law, along with how that wording is actually applied. Covering a wide range of subjects to clear up misconceptions and acknowledging pitfalls, this session is packed with useful information that every organization needs.

Presented by Skoler-Abbott

  • Team Building and Conflict Resolution

Through discussions that will include team activities and individual reflection, forge a shared understanding of team-building and the essential skills for conflict resolution and negotiation that facilitate the development of strong, cohesive, effective teams. Make your team stronger than the sum of their parts, drive unity, and be able to address conflict when it does happen.

Presented by Dr. Lucie Lewis and Janine Fondon

  • Cyber Security 

With the threat of cyber attacks continuing to rise, with an increased focus on social engineering, no one can afford to hide their heads in the sand and pretend that everything is ok.  With a focus on practical, simple, daily steps that one can take, this session seeks to minimize risk to you, your organization, and your clients.

Presented by Chris Wisneski; Whittlesey

  • Retention: Rewards and Accountability 

People don’t leave jobs; they leave bad supervisors. This session puts a focus on how a supervisor can strengthen and grow those who report to them, creating an environment where employees want to stay.  Covering how to multiple the strengths of your team, how to discipline in a way that productive, and how to praise, we will learn how to create a work environment centered on retention.

Presented by Diana Brooks; Diana Brooks Associates

  • Culturally Responsive Supervision

Join us as we take a deep look at the many aspects that make up our identities and how they impact our leadership,  our organizations and the people we serve.  Improve our skills in having conversations about our differences in a way that encourages learning and growth while building intersectional resilience.  We will strengthen our ability to have important dialogues, navigate predictable tensions and avoid pitfalls that lead to disconnection. This session helps supervisors cultivate trusting, creative and connected diverse working relationships.

Presented by Regi Wingo and JAC Patriss; Growing a New Heart

  • Liability and Benefit

Gain a better understanding of Insurance, and how it affects you, your team and your organizations. Understand what coverage you have, and might need, in a variety of situations from daily operations to special fundraising events.  Learn the various forms of benefits available to understand what you have and be able to help explain to your team what their options are.

Presented by Ben Garvey and Val Francis; Hub International

  • Leadership Communication

This session looks at the building blocks of communicating clear messages to others.  In a core aspect of leadership that is often taken for granted, those who excel at communicating often excel in supervision.  Learn to avoid noise and interference, and how to properly process feedback to fine tune your messages for clearer understanding.

Presented by Jeff Tingley; Human Service Forum

 

Supervisory Skills Series Sponsor:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Arbor Associates     
The Beveridge Family Foundation     
BHN
Guidewire     
Hub International New England
Whittlesey

 

Supervisory Skills Certificate Series: Winter 2026

Give new supervisors the skills they need to succeed.  If you are planning on promoting, or have just promoted someone to a supervisory position help them hit the ground running with this 8 week course.  With HSF’s strong team of seasoned presenters covering a wide range of knowledge from different points of view, we cover theory, soft skills, and hard facts.  Conversation topics range from harassment law and insurance liability to finding common purpose in a team and how to transition from peer to supervisor, and much much more.

Register an individual who is eligible for a certificate, or a space for your agency to send someone different to each session depending on who the topic will benefit most.

This series is presented over Zoom. Series runs 8 consecutive weeks starting  February 4th 9am-12:30pm all session.  Full series is $600 for members, $1200 for nonmembers.

Series Topics:

  • Supervising Former Peers and Establishing Healthy Boundaries

This training equips internally promoted leaders with the tools to successfully manage former peers while fostering trust, accountability, and healthy team dynamics. Leaders will explore the psychological and practical aspects of  transitioning into authority roles, develop strategies for setting and enforcing boundaries, refine their leadership identity, and enhance their communication and feedback techniques.

Presented by Will Weche; Willful Change LLC

  • Employment Law 

Avoid missteps that can lead to expensive and time-consuming litigation.  Learn from practicing attorneys on the wording of the law, along with how that wording is actually applied. Covering a wide range of subjects to clear up misconceptions and acknowledging pitfalls, this session is packed with useful information that every organization needs.

Presented by Skoler-Abbott

  • Team Building and Conflict Resolution

Through discussions that will include team activities and individual reflection, forge a shared understanding of team-building and the essential skills for conflict resolution and negotiation that facilitate the development of strong, cohesive, effective teams. Make your team stronger than the sum of their parts, drive unity, and be able to address conflict when it does happen.

Presented by Dr. Lucie Lewis and Janine Fondon

  • Cyber Security 

With the threat of cyber attacks continuing to rise, with an increased focus on social engineering, no one can afford to hide their heads in the sand and pretend that everything is ok.  With a focus on practical, simple, daily steps that one can take, this session seeks to minimize risk to you, your organization, and your clients.

Presented by Chris Wisneski; Whittlesey

  • Retention: Rewards and Accountability 

People don’t leave jobs; they leave bad supervisors. This session puts a focus on how a supervisor can strengthen and grow those who report to them, creating an environment where employees want to stay.  Covering how to multiple the strengths of your team, how to discipline in a way that productive, and how to praise, we will learn how to create a work environment centered on retention.

Presented by Diana Brooks; Diana Brooks Associates

  • Culturally Responsive Supervision

Join us as we take a deep look at the many aspects that make up our identities and how they impact our leadership,  our organizations and the people we serve.  Improve our skills in having conversations about our differences in a way that encourages learning and growth while building intersectional resilience.  We will strengthen our ability to have important dialogues, navigate predictable tensions and avoid pitfalls that lead to disconnection. This session helps supervisors cultivate trusting, creative and connected diverse working relationships.

Presented by Regi Wingo and JAC Patriss; Growing a New Heart

  • Liability and Benefit

Gain a better understanding of Insurance, and how it affects you, your team and your organizations. Understand what coverage you have, and might need, in a variety of situations from daily operations to special fundraising events.  Learn the various forms of benefits available to understand what you have and be able to help explain to your team what their options are.

Presented by Ben Garvey and Val Francis; Hub International

  • Leadership Communication

This session looks at the building blocks of communicating clear messages to others.  In a core aspect of leadership that is often taken for granted, those who excel at communicating often excel in supervision.  Learn to avoid noise and interference, and how to properly process feedback to fine tune your messages for clearer understanding.

Presented by Jeff Tingley; Human Service Forum

 

Supervisory Skills Series Sponsor:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Arbor Associates     
The Beveridge Family Foundation     
BHN
Guidewire     
Hub International New England
Whittlesey