Human Service Forum

BHMA Presents: Collaborative Saxophone Concert
2026-07-23 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Berkshire Hills Music Academy, 48 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA, 01075, United States
Berkshire Hills Music Academy (BHMA) welcomes the return of the “Sax Masters” for a special collaborative concert with the participant ensemble “Five Saxy Guys,” spearheaded by BHMA instructor Paul Coffill. Enjoy the rich and varied sound of a saxophone ensemble, featuring all five sizes of saxophone and repertoire spanning contemporary, classical, and jazz styles. Join us for an evening celebrating the versatility, artistry, and joyful spirit of saxophone music.
*****
Concert will take place at the Bernon Music Center on BHMA’s campus. There is a suggested donation at the door & free parking. Please reach out to Eileen Markland with any questions: emarkland@berkshirehills.org.

Massachusetts Landlord Workshop
2026-07-25 09:00 - 13:00
This virtual workshop includes an overview of basic residential rental property management in Massachusetts that provides an introduction to the Massachusetts laws that govern the rental relationship. Important for all owners of rental properties, including owners of 2-4 family homes.
Topics covered include:

proper tenant screening
relations with tenants
lead paint laws
types of tenancies
State Sanitary Code
fair housing laws
the eviction process
how to deal with drug problems

Certificates of completion are awarded at the end of the session; this workshop satisfies the course requirement for first-time buyers of multi-family homes.
Registration fee is $90, nonrefundable. Please register in advance

Celebrity Bartender Night
2026-07-30 17:30 - 19:30
The Rumbleseat Bar & Grille
482 Springfield St, Chicopee, MA 01013
Raise a glass and have some fun at our Celebrity Bartender event, where local celebrities take over the bar to mix drinks and raise funds for a meaningful cause. From 5:30 – 7:30pm, enjoy an evening of entertainment and support the Officer Angela Santiago Financial Aid Fund. All tips and proceeds benefit the Club, helping provide financial assistance to families in need.

Sounds of Springfield Sound Sculptures Community Event
2026-08-05 16:00 - 20:00
Community Celebration
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Tower Square Park,1477 Main Street, Springfield
Join Springfield Cultural Partnership and community partners for an afternoon of music, creativity, and community connection. The celebration will feature live performances, interactive sound sculpture activations, family-friendly arts activities, community remarks, and opportunities for residents of all ages to experience the installation together.

Mindful Miles 5K
2026-08-15 08:00 - 12:00
Mindful Miles 5K is Gándara Center’s annual community run and walk that brings people together to support mental health and recovery services across Massachusetts. The event raises funds for programs serving more than 18,000 children, adults, and families each year. Participants, sponsors, and community partners join the run to strengthen access to culturally responsive care and help ensure support remains available when people need it most.

​
This year’s event continues the “On the Road to Our Golden Jubilee” theme as Gándara Center approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027. Every step taken during Mindful Miles helps move mental health forward and sustain programs that support individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth.

7th Annual Canines Against Cancer Support Walk
2026-08-21 17:00 - 21:00
The 7th Annual Canines Against Cancer Support Walk is a fun-filled community fundraiser benefiting Each Moment We’re Alive Cancer Support Services. Now in its 7th year, this special event brings together families, friends, cancer survivors, supporters, and their dogs for an evening of walking, food, music, and activities. Every step helps ensure that free support groups, survivorship programs, and resources remain available to cancer survivors and their families as they navigate life during and after treatment.

Beyond Posting: Sustainable Social Media and Outreach Strategies for Community Engagement
2026-08-25 08:30 - 10:00 | Virtual Event
Many organizations consistently post on social media, send newsletters, and promote events, yet still struggle with low attendance, poor online engagement, and outreach fatigue. During periods of burnout, staffing shortages, and funding cuts, communication efforts can easily become reactive, inconsistent, or disconnected from the communities organizations hope to reach.
This workshop explores practical social media and communication strategies that help organizations increase visibility, strengthen trust, and improve participation without relying on constant content production or overextending staff and volunteers. Participants will examine common outreach mistakes, audience engagement patterns, messaging strategies, and low-cost promotional approaches that support more sustainable community engagement.
Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify common communication barriers that reduce community participation during periods of burnout, low staffing, and funding cuts
Analyze how messaging, timing, accessibility, and audience targeting influence attendance, trust, and participation
Explore low-capacity social media and outreach strategies that support sustainable engagement without relying on constant content production

This workshop is no cost to HSF Members

Bio
Ysabel Garcia is a communications strategist and public health professional leading outreach campaigns, engagement strategies, and public-facing communications for nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and public health initiatives. She has coordinated multi-channel social media campaigns that generated thousands of views for public education campaigns, increased attendance at large-scale community events, and engaged audiences across the United States and internationally. Her work also includes independently building a mental health communications and education platform that gained national and international recognition, including an invitation to the White House.
Over the last decade, she has facilitated trainings on cultural humility, mental health, and leadership development, including serving as a trainer for the Human Service Forum’s Supervisory Skills Certificate Training Program.
Ysabel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Health, grounding her work in human behavior, systems thinking, and social context.

HSF Annual Sponsors:

60's Groovy Gala
2026-09-19 17:00 - 19:30
Get ready for a far-out evening of psychedelic style, retro rhythms, and flower-power flair as Berkshire Hills Music Academy presents our annual gala, featuring this year’s “Let’s Get Groovy” 1960s-inspired theme!
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the talents and accomplishments of the adults we serve while raising critical funds to support BHMA’s mission. The evening will feature delicious food, cocktails, live entertainment, performances by BHMA participants, a Groovy Grab wine pull, exciting auction opportunities, and our first-ever paddle raise.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or attending for the first time, you’ll enjoy a fun and meaningful evening filled with music, community, and purpose.
To learn more, purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or make a donation, visit berkshirehills.org/groovygala

60's Groovy Gala at Berkshire Hills Music Academy
2026-09-19 17:00 - 22:00 | Berkshire Hills Music Academy, 48 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA, 01075, United States
Get ready for a far-out evening of psychedelic style, retro rhythms, and flower-power flair! This retro evening will feature music, dinner, dancing, and auctions — all in support of the participants and programs that make BHMA so special. We’re turning back the clock and turning up the fun. It’s time to party like it’s 1969! As we build toward this special night, we invite you to be part of it in a meaningful way. Sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to support BHMA while also celebrating alongside our community. Each level offers a unique opportunity to engage, be recognized, and make a lasting difference. Visit berkshirehills.org/groovygala to learn how to make an impact and purchase tickets. Whether you’re a longtime member of our community or new to BHMA, we’d love to welcome you to campus for a joyful night of celebration, connection, and fun!

Walk For Every Body
2026-09-27 10:30 - 14:00
Join us for the second annual Walk For Every Body on September 27 in downtown Northampton!
Bring your friends, family, coworkers, or create a team to support accessible, community-based healthcare across Western Massachusetts. The walk will be followed by a Block Party featuring local organizations, activities, entertainment, and more.
Register today and be part of a community that believes healthcare is for everybody: TapestryHealth.org/tapestrywalk9-27
