Human Service Forum

Junio clases para compradores de casa por primera vez de Way Finders
2026-06-13 09:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Esta es una clase completa dividida en dos días:
13 y 20 de junio.Horario: 9:00 am – 2:00pm
En persona, en la oficina de Way Finders.
La clase cubre todos los aspectos de la compra de una casa. Diseñado específicamente para compradores de vivienda por primera vez, la clase está certificada por CHAPA, HUD y MassHousing. Se requiere completar la clase para calificar para ciertos productos de asistencia financiera de la ciudad y algunos préstamos hipotecarios.

Mental Health Awareness Community Celebration
2026-06-13 11:00 - 14:00

LifePath's March in Pride Parade
2026-06-13 11:30 - 16:30
Mark your calendars: Join us at Pride June 13! Join LifePath’s march in the parade beginning at the Greenfield Middle School at noon (arrive by 11:30 AM), and/or the rally at Energy Park on Miles St. in Greenfield that follows the parade and continues until 4:30 PM. For folks who can’t attend, they can watch the next day on GCTV, Channel 15 on Comcast, or on YouTube!

Bingo and Brews with the Queens
2026-06-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Fort Hill Brewery, 30 Fort Hill Road, Easthampton, MA, 01027
Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of laughs, bingo, and brews with the Queens! 👑✨
Join us for Bingo & Brews with the Queens on Sunday, June 14, at Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton! Enjoy exciting bingo games, fabulous entertainment, great beer, and plenty of fun — all while supporting Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. 🏠❤️
🎟️ Tickets are just $30 and are going fast!
Register today: bit.ly/3NiLzbU

Choosing Care Over Criminalization Part 2
2026-06-15 16:00 - 18:00

Credit Success Workshop
2026-06-16 17:30 - 20:30
June 16 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
$10

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.
This workshop is online.
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.

Whole Children Summer Registration Open
2026-06-17 08:00 - 17:00
Each class costs $95 for the session with the exception of Cooking Classes, which cost $120 to cover the cost of food. If you register for four or more classes you will receive a 20% discount off the total cost. Discount will show in cart.
Events are free for anyone enrolled in classes. For those not currently taking a class, event admission is $10.
Class sizes are limited; register early to secure a spot in a desired class.
Please note that all age ranges are suggestions only. Please contact us at info@wholechildren.org or (413) 585-8010 if you’re interested in signing up for a class outside of the posted age range.
For Discord, the current link will remain accessible to the general public, regardless of membership status, for sending private messages to friends; and it will be moderated by teachers. View Discord etiquette.
Questions? Please email the front desk or call (413) 585-8010.

Children's Mental Health Dinner
2026-06-17 17:30 - 19:30
With our Support Network program, we support families navigating children’s mental health challenges; lifting parent voices, reducing stigma, and building connection so no family feels alone and has the advocacy support they need to ensure their child’s needs are met.Please save the date for the Support Network’s Annual Dinner on June 17th. It’s a reflective and celebratory time to recognize the pathways to more support, more understanding, and ultimately, more good days—together. @followers

Amherst Survival Center Annual Meeting
2026-06-17 17:30 - 19:30

New Manager Jumpstart
2026-06-18 08:00 - 17:00

In-Service Training - Assistive Technology: Helping Seniors Age in Place
2026-06-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Online via Zoom
Description:
This interactive workshop provides aging services professionals with a comprehensive overview of assistive technology (AT) solutions that support older adults in aging safely and independently at home. Participants will explore the full continuum of AT
— from low-tech adaptive equipment to high-tech smart home systems — and learn how to match appropriate devices to client needs based on diagnosis, functional limitations, and home environment. The session covers room-by-room home safety strategies targeting
the highest-risk areas (bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and entryway), as well as condition-specific AT recommendations for common aging diagnoses including dementia, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, vision and hearing loss, and mobility impairments. Presenters
will share clinical expertise from UCP of Western Massachusetts’ Assistive Technology Program and demonstrate select devices hands-on. Participants will also learn how to connect clients with AT resources, including device loan programs, equipment reuse initiatives,
and personalized evaluation services available throughout Massachusetts.
Presented by: Shelby Cortis, MSOT/ATP, Senior Director of Assistive Technology
Learning Outcomes:
In this training, staff will be able to:
Define assistive technology across the low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech spectrum and identify appropriate devices that promote functional independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, and home safety for older adults.
Evaluate high-risk areas within the home environment — including the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and entryway — and recommend targeted AT interventions to reduce fall risk and support safe aging in place.
Select and recommend condition-specific assistive technology solutions for clients with dementia, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, vision/hearing loss, and mobility impairments, applying evidence-based principles
of early AT introduction to optimize functional outcomes.
Identify and utilize available AT resources and programs — including device loan libraries, durable medical equipment reuse programs, and professional evaluation services — to facilitate client access to appropriate assistive technology.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please note: Participants are sent a unique join-link sent in their registration confirmation email. This allows direct access to the meeting.

United Arc's 75th Anniversary Celebration
2026-06-18 17:30 - 20:30
Join us for The United Arc’s 75th Anniversary Celebration
Honor decades of advocacy, empowerment, and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
By completing this form, you help us plan an accessible, welcoming event for everyone. 💙
Your registration supports our ongoing work—from family support and youth programs to community education and advocacy.

Bikes Fight Cancer Charity Ride
2026-06-20 08:00 - 17:00

Etienne Perley at BHMA
2026-06-25 17:30 - 19:00
Berkshire Hills Music Academy warmly invites you to an enchanting evening celebrating the remarkable journey of Etienne Perley, a musician whose artistry knows no bounds. As an alumnus of BHMA, Etienne’s passion for music has been a lifelong companion, deeply rooted in his Andean heritage.
Born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Massachusetts, Etienne draws profound inspiration from his cultural roots, infusing his music with authenticity and depth. Join us for an evening rich in rhythm, color, and heartfelt melodies as Etienne shares his distinctive musical voice and personal narrative.
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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.

Post-purchase Workshop
2026-06-27 09:00 - 13:00
If you’ve already purchased your home, join our Homeowners Workshop and Celebration for fun-filled interactive learning and home care demonstrations from our partnering presenters.
Our workshop includes information on: construction rehabilitation loans, seasonal maintenance and home repair, being green in and around your home, weatherization, and so much more.
Everyone who attends receives a 65-piece tool kit and will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
Registration required. FREE! Meets MHP Post-Purchase workshop requirement.

Youth Mental Health Living Out Loud
2026-06-27 13:00 - 17:00

Feed the Hungry Benefit Concert
2026-06-27 15:00 - 18:00
On Saturday, June 27, 2026, you are invited to gather at Pulaski Park in Northampton for the Feed the Hungry Benefit Concert, an afternoon of live music, inspiring speakers, and community connection dedicated to supporting organizations that provide food and relief to those in need locally and around the world.
The concert will take place from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and is presented by Feed the Hungry, an initiative of Light Omega and the Village of Light Ashram.
Centered around the message “May All Be Fed,” the event seeks to expand the understanding of nourishment beyond physical food alone — emphasizing kindness, compassion, human dignity, and the responsibility to care for one another. As expressed in the event materials: “We are being called, today, to learn how to feed each other with goodness, kindness, nurturance and blessing in every conversation, with every person, in every moment.”
The afternoon will feature performances by regional and spiritually inspired musicians including: Russell Brooks, Onatah Love, Matthew Andrews, Música Franklin Youth Chorus, Tony Vacca
In addition to music, the program will include featured speakers and community voices from several organizations working directly in the areas of hunger relief, peace work, and humanitarian outreach, including: The Amherst Survival Center, The New England Peace Pagoda, One Spirit, supporting the Lakota people of Pine Ridge Reservation
Proceeds and donations connected with the event will support seven domestic and international organizations that distribute food and essential aid, including the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Amherst Survival Center, Water.org, the World Food Program, Hopi Relief, and organizations serving Indigenous communities in the United States and India.

Dine to Donate with Bueno Y Sano
2026-06-29 11:00 - 20:30
Bueno Y Sano hosts the 12th Annual Bueno Day to Benefit CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. 50% of all sales at Bueno Y Sano locations in Amherst, Northampton, South Deerfield, Springfield, and West Springfield will be donated to CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County (BBBSHC). This includes dine-in orders, take-out, and Bueno Y Sano gift cards.

Free Breast Feeding Class
2026-06-29 11:30

Sounds of Springfield Ribbon Cutting
2026-06-30 10:30 - 11:30

First-time Homebuyer Workshop
2026-07-08 17:30 - 20:30
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:
Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30pm
July 8, 15, and 22
Cost of the workshop is $75 per household, nonrefundable.

Compassionate Accountable Conversations
2026-07-13 10:30 - 14:30 | Online via Zoom
Join us on July 13, 14, and 17, 10:30am-2:30pm Eastern Time
Compassionate Accountable Conversations is a three-day training series preparing individuals, communities, organizations, and coalitions that are strengthening their transformative work towards healing and equity-based relationships in divisive times. Sometimes we engage with people who are exhibiting habits of dominance within their interpersonal conflict. We may also notice these habits within our own interventions. When this happens, we need to be prepared to hold Compassionate Accountable Conversations that help interrupt dominance patterns and safely create the conditions where change becomes possible.

Credit Success Workshop
2026-07-14 17:30 - 20:30
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.
Click the link below create an account and register. This workshop is in person at the Way Finders office in Springfield.
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.

In-Service Training - Veterns Benefits Administration
2026-07-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
Description: The training will focus on: Providing an overview of the Veteran Benefits
Administration (VBA) benefits available to Veterans and their families. Participants will learn how to assist Veterans, their families, and survivors in understanding the wide range of benefits available to them and how to successfully apply. The session will
highlight how to become eligible for Service-Connected Compensation , Non-Service Connected (NSC) Pension, and Survivors’ Benefits. By the end of the training, participants will have a clear understanding of how VBA can guide individuals through the benefits
process with accuracy, clarity, and care.
Presented by: Patrick Bailey, Legal Administrative Specialist of the Veteran Benefits Administration
Learning Outcomes:
In this training, staff will be able to:
Identify eligibility criteria for compensation and pension from the VA.
Discuss the Claims Process
Apply knowledge and assist consumers in how to file a claim
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please note: Participants are sent a unique join-link sent in their registration confirmation email. This allows direct access to the meeting.

BHMA's Five Saxy Guys & the Sax Masterd
2026-07-23 17:30 - 19:00
July 23 | 5:30pm
Traditional, classical, and jazz selections performed by BHMA’s Five Saxy Guys and musical guest, the Sax Masters, a saxophone quartet introduced by instructor Paul Coffill.

Free parking and suggested donation at the door.

BHMA Presents: Collaborative Saxophone Concert
2026-07-23 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.
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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.

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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.
