Human Service Forum

Faces of Faith 2024
2024-04-24 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | MA
Faces of Faith honors local women and men, who are cancer survivors and living vibrant lives. Through a photographic display and storytelling, their lived experiences of faith and resilience will inform, encourage, and uplift as well as help break the silence and stigma of a cancer diagnosis.
2024 Faces of Faith Honorees:-William Brown-Robin Fowlkes-Joyce Huff-Denise Jordan-Khali Maddox- Abdegeo-Vivian Moulden-Sandra Moultrie-Irvinia Scott-Robbins-Dixie Rodriguez-Andrew Rucks-Deborah Scott-TJ Steele
For more information, please contact Kimothy.Jones@BaystateHealth.org

Advancing Climate Justice and Health Equity
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
This webinar will showcase the various climate justice work that the Public Health Institute of Western Mass is involved with in order to advance climate justice and health equity.
Speakers will include Samantha Hamilton and Francheska Bermudez from Public Health Institute of Western Mass, and Dr. Krystal Pollitt, Associate Professor of Epidemiology Yale School of Public Health.
To request interpretation, please contact Keleigh Waldner at KWaldner@PublicHealthWM.org or 413-794-2897. We will do our best to fulfill any requests. Advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.

34th Annual Victim Rights Conference
2024-04-26 08:00 - 15:30 | MA
This course is designed for law enforcement, mental health professionals, victim witness advocates, physicians, nurses, psychologists and community providers and social workers.
In line with the theme for National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, the 34th Annual Victim Rights Conference asks all of us-friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, schools, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals-how can we help those who experience crime.
By focusing on survivor experience and best practice, we ask participants to reflect on whether they are creating safe environments for survivors to be able to share their stories, are their agencies trauma-informed and are they familiar with services available in the community. Time will be specifically allotted for participants to share resources and the services they provide.
By participating in this conference participants will learn how to offer support, services, and hope to those who have been impacted by crime.
Available credit:5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™5.50 ANCC Contact Hours5.50 APA American Psychological Association5.50 ASWB Continuing Education Credit(s)5.50 IPCE Credit Hour(s)5.50 NBCC

Runway 5K
2024-04-28 07:00 - 12:00 | MA
About the Runway 5K
Race Date: April 28. Run & Walk both start at 9AM.
You know what’s even more rewarding than finishing a 5K on a runway? Knowing that you helped change foster care for good when you cross the finish line. The Runway 5K mission is to bring community together to raise funds for foster care innovation. Every dollar raised helps kids soar.
When you register for the Runway, you’re joining a community on a mission to support kids first – and a race/walk second. It’s easy and fun to get involved. You can run – timed or for fun – walk, join virtually or volunteer. You can create a team – or fly solo – for fundraising. We’ll share tips and tools to help you succeed in raising funds and awareness to celebrate your participation and foster care innovation. Every dollar serves children, youth and families who’ve been impacted by foster care in the greater Pioneer Valley.
Plus, this year donations go further thanks to Greenfield Savings Bank. GSB will match every dollar donated to $15,000 with their Community Challenge Grant.
Don’t miss earning your wings and a Runway beanie when you raise $150 or more!

Big Brothers Big Sisters 14th Annual Daffodil Run 5k/10k
2024-04-28 10:00 - 14:00 | MA
Help support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County
By signing up for the Daffodil Run 5k or 10k, you’re helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
What does Big Brothers Big Sisters do?
Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For a few hours, 2-4 times a month, Bigs and Littles spend time doing various activities together, from going to a museum to taking a hike. By simply offering the invaluable gift of friendship, Bigs and Littles literally change each others’ lives for the better.

Intergenerational Trauma / Ask a Therapist
2024-04-29 17:30 - 19:30 | MA
In this training, attendees will learn how many of our current mental health issues can come from the traumas of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. We will learn and discuss how to build off the work of experts in the fields of neuroscience and posttraumatic stress. We will also reserve time for an “Ask a Therapist” session where you may ask questions in a welcoming and safe environment.
Facilitated by: the Behavioral Health Network
Hosted by: New North Citizens’ Council
Sponsored by: Youth Mental Health Coalition

2024 NonProfit Innovators Forum
2024-04-29 18:00 - 20:00 | MA

Early Registration Will Bike 4 Food
2024-05-01 08:00 - 17:00 | MA
Will Bike 4 Food (WB4F) is back for its 14th year!This fun cycling event raises funds and awareness for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Cyclists of all levels can pedal towards a hunger-free future by joining us for a Century (100 mile), Half Century (50 mile), Quarter Century (25 mile), or the 10-mile Family Fun Ride. Registered riders can also choose to participate virtually by riding their miles any time in September during Hunger Action Month.

Trauma-Informed Yoga for Therapists and Their Clients
2024-05-01 09:00 - 17:00 | MA
No prior training in yoga, trauma treatment, or EMDR is required.

Live Online

May 1, 2024

9:00-5:00 EST

6 CEs, 3 EMDRIA CEs
$160 early bird rate until April 1

This day long workshop includes four 90-minute sessions exploring foundational concepts and techniques for integrating yoga into psychotherapy. Each session explores both practical and philosophical overlap between the practices of yoga and trauma treatment. Students will practice and learn to lead 4 gentle yoga sequences, 4 yogic breathing techniques, and 4 grounding resources for offering yoga safely and effectively to clients with trauma histories. These skills are also useful as self-care to mitigate risk of burnout for those working in stressful environments. No prior training in yoga, trauma treatment, or EMDR is required.
Participants will be able to:

Define Sanskrit terms Yoga, Asana, Ahimsa, Prana, and Pranayama in English and describe how each term relates to trauma therapy.
Choose appropriate timing for utilizing yoga postures, concepts, and breathing techniques in clinical practice, including resourcing/stabilization, during trauma processing, and post-treatment integration. Connections between trauma-aware yoga and the 8 Phases of EMDR will be explored.
Solve trauma related challenges including negative beliefs, difficult emotions, and painful sensations that may emerge during yoga practice using skills of external grounding, window of tolerance, internal resources, non-judgmental awareness, self-compassion, and/or choice.
Understand social justice concepts of empowerment and oppression and how they relate to offering yoga in psychotherapy in a trauma-informed manner.
Practice effectively and safely leading 4 different yoga scripts: Yoga Unites/Trauma Divides, Non-Judgmental Awareness, Finding Our Centers, and Grounding Yoga Sequence.

HSF Supervisory Skills Certificate Series Spring 2024
2024-05-02 09:00 - 12:30 | NCYF Building; 203 East St, Easthampton, 203 East St, Easthampton, MA, 01027, United States
This series of workshops is ideal for new supervisors to get the skills and knowledges needed to succeed. A trained supervisory team will improve any organization and lead to higher impact in aiding their communities.
The workshop series takes place from 9am to 12:30pm every week for eight weeks on Thursdays starting May 2nd. Attendance is required at every session for certification.
This is a hybrid series, please select if you are attending in person at our offices in Easthampton, or virtually over Zoom.

Session Topics:
Lead with Influence– Everyone exerts influence, intentional or unintentional. A good leader is aware of how they would prefer to positively impact their team and guides their field in that direction.
Employment Law 101 and 102- This 2 part workshop presents the most up to date laws requarding employment is crucial for anyone who oversees employees. Mitigate risk, learn to avoid litigation and retaliation, and fulfill your legal obligations.
Benefits and Liability- Insurance can be difficult to understand. In this session, gain a better understanding of what liabilities exist for your organization. Also understand what insurance benefits are available to be to make sure your team is making the most of them.
Team Building and Conflict Resolution- Build your team up, making the whole stronger than the sum of their parts. Learn tips and tactics to help drive unity. Be able to address when conflict does happen, leading back to making your team work in harmony.
Cyber Security- Protect your information and that of your organization. Learn what steps to take to discourage hackers and scammers. Learn about the most common forms of attack, and how those attacks are evolving, as well as what the attackers are after and why.
Retention: Rewards & Recognition, Accountability & Discipline- Help build an understanding within your team of their own progress. Be able to have conversations about great performance, and areas of improvement. Build a culture that retains their workforce through active development.
Assessing D.E.I. as a New Supervisor- Where does your organization stand on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? Do you understand your organization’s plan and your place in that plan? Learn to build and foster DEI within your team.
Program Fees:
HSF Members: $500 Not Yet Members: $900
Participants must attend all sessions to receive their certificates. Makeup sessions are not allowed.
Series Sponsor:

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Lead with Influence- INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS- HSF Supervisory Skills Series- Spring 2024
2024-05-02 09:00 - 12:30 | Online via Zoom
Select single individual sessions from our popular Supervisory Skills Series. This series of workshops is ideal for new supervisors to get the skills and knowledges needed to succeed. A trained supervisory team will improve any organization and lead to higher impact in aiding their communities.
The workshop series takes place from 9am to 12:30pm every week for eight weeks on Thursdays starting May 2nd. Attendance is required at every session for certification. Please make note of the date of the topic you are interested in.

Session Dates and Topics:
May 2nd- Lead with Influence– Everyone exerts influence, intentional or unintentional. A good leader is aware of how they would prefer to positively impact their team and guides their field in that direction.
May 9 & 16th- Employment Law 101 and 102- This 2 part workshop presents the most up to date laws requarding employment is crucial for anyone who oversees employees. Mitigate risk, learn to avoid litigation and retaliation, and fulfill your legal obligations.
May 23rd- Benefits and Liability- Insurance can be difficult to understand. In this session, gain a better understanding of what liabilities exist for your organization. Also understand what insurance benefits are available to be to make sure your team is making the most of them.
May 30th- Team Building and Conflict Resolution- Build your team up, making the whole stronger than the sum of their parts. Learn tips and tactics to help drive unity. Be able to address when conflict does happen, leading back to making your team work in harmony.
June 6th- Cyber Security- Protect your information and that of your organization. Learn what steps to take to discourage hackers and scammers. Learn about the most common forms of attack, and how those attacks are evolving, as well as what the attackers are after and why.
June 13th- Retention: Rewards & Recognition, Accountability & Discipline- Help build an understanding within your team of their own progress. Be able to have conversations about great performance, and areas of improvement. Build a culture that retains their workforce through active development.
June 20th- Assessing D.E.I. as a New Supervisor- Where does your organization stand on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? Do you understand your organization’s plan and your place in that plan? Learn to build and foster DEI within your team.
Program Fees:
HSF Members: $100 per person per session Not Yet Members: $200 per person per session

United Way of Pioneer Valley - DDRWLC Speed Networking
2024-05-02 17:30 - 19:30 | White Lion Brewing Company, 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA, 01103, United States
A light-hearted networking event celebrating friendship, collaboration, and the power of women communing and connecting. Get together with women across the Pioneer Valley through networking and make new friends in the process!

Community Action PV Annual Meeting
2024-05-03 07:30 - 21:00 | MA

Spring into Movement
2024-05-03 18:00 - 19:00 | MA
This May, let’s Spring into Movement with It Takes a Village!
It’s all starting Friday, May 3, 2024 from 6pm-7pm! For this first class, we’re partnering with Strong as a Mother Wellness and Easthampton’s Fitness Fusion.
Special fundraiser rate per class is $20 donation.
Proceeds from the class go to It Takes a Village.
And save the date for the next class near you!
Hampshire: Friday, May 3rdBerkshire: Friday, May 17thFranklin: Friday, May 31stHampden County: TBD
We hope you can join us!

SquareOne Derby Party
2024-05-04 17:00 - 20:00 | MA

14th Annual Daffodil Run 5k/10k
2024-05-05 10:00 - 13:00 | MA
By signing up for the Daffodil Run 5k or 10k, you’re helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County will hold the 14th Annual Daffodil Run in person at the Amherst Town Common, Amherst, MA 01002
It will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Walk or run and invite others to join you in support of mentoring. Register for the Daffodil Run.
This community event has become the first marker of spring for the town of Amherst and draws hundreds of community members to the area to participate and cheer on their family and friends.
Look forward to 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run post-race party with delicious food, and family-friendly fun. The Daffodil Run helps sustain the power of youth mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters by connecting adult mentors with young people in our community. Once matched they go on to build a meaningful, positive relationship that empowers the potential inherent in each child.

How to Apply for Affordable and Subsidized Housing
2024-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | MA
This Webinar discussion will cover the crucial process of combining available public funds with
realistic family assets to create the best potential for housing options. Although this is a basic
workshop, it highlights all of the important steps to any plan in process, and will be useful even for
those already on the Section 8 list.
Topics include: public funds available to pay for housing; level of support needed; living skills
development; assessment of personal resources; housing models; person-centered planning and
state care support options (including non-DDS) options.

May First-Time Homebuyer Webinar Series
2024-05-07 18:00 - 21:00 | MA
In this Zoom webinar presented by Valley Community Development:
Get the facts from real estate professionals, including attorneys, loan officers, realtors, home inspectors & housing counselors
Learn tips about how to improve your credit.
Ask questions to help you proceed & protect your own interests as you approach this life decision.
A certified course recognized by MHP & MassHousing, this workshop helps you qualify for special mortgage products.
$50 for two adults in the same household.* Registration is nonrefundable & attendance is required at all three sessions.
May sessions are scheduled:
Tuesday, May 7
Wednesday, May 8
Tuesday, May 14
All from 6pm-9pm on Zoom.
Please reach out if you need reasonable accommodation due to disability or lack of technology access.
If your income is at or below the posted incomes below, and you live in Amherst, Easthampton, or Northampton, MA, you may be eligible to attend this class for free. Contact Donna Cabana 413-586-5855 ext. 180 to schedule a budgeting session prior to the webinar. You will need to complete a household budget, provide pay stubs, bank statements, and participate in budget counseling. Residents of other towns are not eligible.
Household size and maximum income:
1 – $52,750, 2-$60,250, 3-$67,800, 4-$75,300, 5- $81,350

United Way of Pioneer Valley – OnBoard Board Basics Series
2024-05-08 08:00 - 09:30 | TD Bank Center
This session, facilitated by nonprofit leader and consultant, Shannon Mumblo, will present the top 5 things potential board members should consider before joining a board.
More than a single event, OnBoard is a programmatic resource designed to support the health and viability of our community’s nonprofit leadership–the Board.
Hosted by UWPV, OnBoard has expanded its offerings with a series of instructional webinars, networking opportunities, and community engagement activities to prepare anyone for Board service.
We invite anyone interested in serving on a Board, or just interested in learning about the integral role of the Board, to start your journey with OnBoard.

First Time Homebuyer Workshop
2024-05-08 17:30 - 20:30 | MA
Become a certified first-time homebuyer with Way Finders! Learn from local real estate professionals about the homebuying process.
The course covers finding, financing, purchasing, and maintaining a home. Participants receive a certificate of completion that is necessary to access several down payment assistance programs and special mortgage products.
This is a three-part virtual workshop:
Wednesday, May 8, 5:30-8:30pmWednesday, May 15, 5:30-8:30pmWednesday, May 22, 5:30-8:30pm
Walk-ins are not accepted. Attendance for this workshop will be limited.
Create a Way Finders account at www.wayfinders.org/login to register.
Cost of the workshop is $50 per household, nonrefundable.

Tapestry's Annual Auction. An Evening Under the Stars
2024-05-09 17:30 - 19:30 | MA
Silent Auction | Local talents | Delicious appetizers

Thursday, May 9, 2024,
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

at

The Penthouse 650
at Tower Square

1500 Main St Suite 650, Springfield, MA 01115

Become part of a vibrant community, making a difference in community health.

Lighthouse Open House
2024-05-10 12:00 - 16:00 | MA

Springfield Neighborhood WALK/RUN FOR ADOPTION
2024-05-11 09:30 - 13:00 | MA
Help us spread awareness about adoption
from foster care across the state. For the first
time in the Walk for Adoption’s 15-year-history,
we’re excited to host a local walk in Springfield!
Whether you participate at one of our
Neighborhood Walks or join us at our main
event on May 19th at Jordan’s Furniture
in Taunton, your participation and any
fundraising you do helps to support MARE’s
work to find permanent adoptive homes for
children and teens in foster care.
To register:
• Go to walk.mareinc.org
• You can choose to join a team, start your
own team, or register as an individual
• As part of your registration, you’ll be
prompted to select your Walk Location.
Registration Fees: $35 per adult / $15 per child
Please be sure to register by May 1st to ensure
that we’ll have a Walk/Run shirt for you on the
day of the event!

Springfield Symphony Chorus “Sing, Praise, Light II”
2024-05-11 16:00 - 18:00 | MA

Credit Success Workshop
2024-05-13 17:30 - 20:30 | MA
Whether you want to buy a house or a car, pay off your student loan debt, or understand how to build your credit, Way Finders is here to help.
Our Credit Success Workshop provides the tools you need to reach your financial goals. Learn directly from a Way Finders’ certified counselor through interactive and engaging activities. After you complete your workshop, you will have the opportunity to meet with a HUD-certified housing counselor to discuss your individual goals.
There is a $10 fee to reserve your seat for the workshop. This fee will be refunded upon workshop completion.
In-person workshop. Registration required.
Way Finders is dedicated to assisting low-to-moderate income clients achieve financial stability and success. You will not be turned away for inability to pay.
To request a one-time time waiver please contact our support department at homeownership@wayfinders.org or 413-233-1621.

Human Services Discussion
2024-05-14 10:00 - 11:30 | MA
We are thrilled to announce that our final in-person COSA meeting of the year is scheduled for May 14th from 10am to 11:30am. Mark your calendars and join us for an engaging session where we will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of local nonprofit leaders. They will be sharing their insights on the challenges and successes they have experienced while navigating the evolving landscape of human services over the past few years. This promises to be a valuable and enlightening discussion that you won’t want to miss. See you there!

Tuesday, May 14

10am-11:30am

Haskell Building, 1 Prince Street, Northampton, MA – DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Light refreshments will be available.

Thank you to RSVP of the Pioneer Valley for sharing their space with COSA this month!

Introduction to Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
2024-05-14 12:00 - 15:15 | Webinar
Live Interactive Webinar
Instructor: Alexandra Klein Rafaeli, Psy.D.
Level: Intermediate
May 14 and 15, 2024, noon – 3:15 p.m. ET
CEs: 6
Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.
This is a multiple-day session. In order to receive CEs, you must attend both days.
The purpose of this seminar is to provide an introduction and orientation to Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). We will study the foundations of IPT through its history, its theory, and its research milestones; learn about recent adaptations and discuss how IPT integrates multicultural and diversity perspectives. The seminar will also include examples of the approach through case presentations and videotape segments, and participants will have the chance to participate in experiential exercises to deepen their understanding of the approach. By the end of this course, participants will have wider knowledge of IPT, including its theoretical roots and treatment phases. They will also gain experience in using core IPT techniques, particularly those focused on communication skills, recognition and regulation of affect and self-advocacy.
Although IPT was originally developed and tested in a Western culture, its concepts and techniques have also been adapted to non-Western and low-resource communities. This seminar will also look briefly at ways in which IPT can address and help in understanding the experience of illnesses such as depression through the lenses of family, community and culture.

The Heirloom Classic 5k
2024-05-18 09:00 - 11:00 | MA
The Heirloom Collective is proud to present our THIRD annual “The Heirloom Classic 5K” – a charity run and walk to benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. All proceeds raised from registration fees, donations, and sponsorships will be directly donated to The Food Bank. The course is a challenging but rewarding out-and-back that departs from Crumpin Fox Golf Course and traverses via Purple Meadow Road to the crest of the hill and back. Hydration aid stations will be set up along the way. All fitness levels are welcome and encouraged to join. Run, or walk, just come out and join us for a morning of fresh air for a good cause! Click the link above to register and visit The Heirloom Classic 5K website to learn more about The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and it’s impact on the local community. Sign in begins at 8AM and the race begins at 9AM. Saturday May 18, 2023. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Massachusetts Landlord Workshop
2024-05-18 09:00 - 14:00 | MA
This online 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
Trainer: H. John Fisher
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 $119.95 (non-refundable & includes Way Finders’ Property Management Manual, valued at $29.95).
Hours of workshop are 9am-2pm.

Northampton Community Baby Shower
2024-05-18 09:30 - 11:30 | MA
Get ready for baby and learn about prenatal and postpartum resources!
FREE BABY GEAR FROM THE VILLAGE CLOSET, Sizes NB-2TFREE RAFFLE PRIZES: Drawing at 11:15
Saturday, May 189:30am-11:30amJackson Street School, 120 Jackson Street, Northampton, MA
