Human Service Forum

What's the Ringing in Your Ears? Tinnitus Explained.
2025-02-04 14:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but can also sound like buzzing, roaring, hissing, or other noises. It is a common condition that affects millions of people. Join Jeanne Coburn, AuD., CCC-A/S, Audiologist, Baystate Rehabilitation Care, for a discussion about the types of tinnitus, measuring and diagnosing as well as the treatments and therapies for some relief.

Transportation Focus Group on Zoom
2025-02-03 10:00 - 11:15
Transportation Focus Group on Zoom: How can transportation options be improved in Franklin County?
Monday, February 3, 2025
10:00 AM-11:15 AM

LifePath and Franklin Regional Council of Governments invite you to a focus group to better understand transportation needs among older adults. This group is for people who are 60 or over and have had challenges with transportation. The data will inform both LifePath’s Area Agency on Aging Needs Assessment and FRCOG’s project to better understand how to improve the Demand Response Program (Council on Aging provided transportation) and Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) Access Program for Franklin County communities. The focus group will take place via Zoom on Monday, February 3, from 10 to 11:15 AM. Please register in advance.

Leg Heaviness or Painful Varicose Veins? Learn About Venous Insuffciency and Varicose Veins
2025-02-02 12:00 - 13:00
Are you experiencing leg aches, swelling, or discomfort? While there are many reasons for these symptoms, it could indicate the presence of venous insufficiency and/or varicose veins. These conditions can impact your quality of life. Join Dr. Y. Avery Ching, Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Kristen Steidler, CNP, Cardiac Services, Heart & Vascular, and learn how these issues develop, their potential health implications, and explore effective, comprehensive treatment options.

HSF Legislative Reception
2025-01-31 07:30 - 10:15
Zoom breakout rooms,
All registrants will be assigned to a breakout room with one of their legislators.

Registration closed

For staff, board, constituents/clients, family members, and volunteers of member agencies of the Human Service Forum.

Join your colleagues, clients and community members as we engage with our state legislators at the annual HSF Legislative Reception.

This unique event allows you to share a table, zoom style, with one of the western Massachusetts Representatives or Senators and speak directly with them on topics that are important to you.

You and your concerns matter – raise your voice and your issue – Legislators want and need to hear from you.

Don’t sit this one out – engage your voice and you can impact policy decisions!

Share your story – let your representative know what policies and laws actually look like in action, in our families and our communities.

Find Your Legislator

Due to the virtual format of this event all registrants emails will be required when registering. These emails will receive a zoom registration link 2 weeks before the event. In order to maintain the safest virtual environment once the zoom registration is filled out each person will receive an individual log in link.

When
Friday January 31, 2025

7:30am – 8:00am
Zoom log in and networking time

8:00am- 10:15AM
Legislator Welcome and Break Out Rooms

Cost is $20.00 per person
Pre-registration is required**

How to be a successful renter
2025-01-28 09:00 - 12:00
Getting an apartment these days is very competitive. There are many tenants looking for quality rentals, and landlords can be pickier than ever. Learn how to up your game and increase your chances of getting the apartment you desire. In this workshop we will cover:

Understanding your credit score and addressing any credit issues.
How to figure out what you can afford – and what resources can help
Understanding a rental agreement or lease
How to communicate effectively with a landlord

And lots more topics that will help you become a successful tenant. After this workshop, you can schedule a one-on-one meeting with our HUD-certified housing counselors to review your free credit report (valued at $39.99). Together you will discuss your individual goals.
This is a FREE one-day workshop held on Tuesday, January 28, 2024, from 9:00am-12:00pm at Way Finders’ Springfield Housing Center.

Massachusetts Landlord Workshop
2025-01-25 09:00 - 14:00
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

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).

L.A.N.D. Living a New Day - A New Norm After Cancer
2025-01-20 18:00 - 19:30
L.A.N.D. – Living a New Day, A New Norm is a guided program which offers you a step-by-step process, paired with knowledge and skills to create positive outcomes for living a sustainable future.

Cammer Cup 25
2025-01-20 12:00 - 17:00

2025 Cammer Cup
2025-01-20 12:00 - 17:00
CHD’s All In Youth and Adult Recreation Sled Hockey is hosting its 15th Annual sled hockey games and teams will face off against local celebrities on January 20, 2025, at the Mass Mutual Center. Do not miss this opportunity to support the Springfield Thunderbirds Sled Hockey team, have some fun watching local sled-brities, and raise funds for CHD’s All In Barrier Free Program. Your Cammer Cup ticket gets you Exclusive Access to the Thunderbirds vs. Bridgeport game played after our games.
Game Day Schedule
Cammer Cup vs. Celebrities – noon to 12:45 p.m.
Travel Team vs. Vermont Pioneers – 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thunderbirds vs. Bridgeport game – 3:05 p.m.
The Cammer Cup honors and celebrates the memory of late teammate Alex Camerlin, and a portion of the proceeds goes directly to CHD’s All-In program. We are excited to be hosting this event 15 years in a row and providing kids and adults with physical disabilities with a way to get active in a fun, engaging, and inclusive environment where everyone can shine and included.

* One ticket purchase gets you into all 3 games.
** Tickets cannot be purchased at the Mass Mutual Center box office or through CHD. They can only be purchased through the link provided above.

MLK Day 2025
2025-01-20 12:00 - 16:00 | MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street, Springfield , MA, 01103, United States
MLK Day is January 20, 2025!
MassMutual Center
Sunday, January 20, 2025
12:00PM – Arts & Wellness Expo
2:00PM – Program
Each year, as we gather to honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of his unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and peace. This year’s theme, “Pursue Justice. Persist in Peace,” captures the essence of Dr. King’s philosophy and provides a framework for how we are to approach the myriads of challenges that persist today.
The event will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. Our community welcome begins with artistic expressions, exhibitions, and vendors in the lobby entrance followed by an awe-inspiring purpose driven program where nearly 1,000 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, African Drumming, Springfield CommUnity Chorale, Young at Heart Chorus, Springfield Public Schools students, and more.
Our community coalition of organizations include Community Music School of Springfield, D.R.E.A.M. Studios, Inclusive Strategies, Legacy Sounds, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence, Springfield College, Springfield Public Schools, Springfield Cultural Partnership, Urban League of Springfield and Young At Heart Chorus, who are all working in unity together to ensure this is a memorable community experience.
This collaboration demonstrates the power of coming together, transcending boundaries, and working toward the common goal of justice with and for our Beloved Community. Let’s show the world what persisting in peace looks like in the 4-1-3.
To learn more or to sponsor this inspiring community event, please contact cpazmany@mlkjrfs.org.

Credit Success Workshop
2025-01-18 08:00 - 12:30
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.
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.
Click the link below create an account and register. This is an in-person workshop at Way Finders’ Springfield Housing Center, 1780 Main Street, Springfield.

Hola. hablamos en espanol
2025-01-17 08:00 - 17:00

2nd Annual One Mission Conference: Human Trafficking Awareness
2025-01-17 08:00 - 16:00
Join us for the 2nd Annual One Mission Conference: Human Trafficking Awareness, uniting professionals dedicated to making a difference.
This conference will focus on trauma-informed care for often-overlooked survivors of human trafficking, including LGBTQ+ individuals, male-identifying victims, and those affected by labor trafficking. Attendees will gain tools to support, identify, and advocate for survivors, fostering awareness and recovery through survivor-centered approaches.
Register today to be part of the change: bit.ly/41kO4iO

Virtual Adoption Matching Event for Children with Disabilities
2025-01-15 18:30 - 20:30
The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) invite you to a virtual matching event featuring children with disabilities. Families new to the adoption process and those from out-of-state are welcome to join us and learn more about these children. At the event, we will have a panel of experienced families, video snapshots, and opportunity to hear from social workers discussing the children on their caseload. This is a time to learn more about each child’s needs and ask them questions about their potential fit for your family. The event will take place over Zoom and information about how to access the event will be sent to you upon registration.

For Child Social Workers:
This event is for children on the specialized recruitment case and social workers will not be able to register via the website. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to hosting this type of event for more children in the future.

For questions please contact Kristina Russell atkristinar@mareinc.org

Create Better Health: My Plate Cooking Class
2025-01-14 18:30 - 19:30
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, in partnership with SNAP-Ed, offers free nutrition education programs to our member agencies.
In this cooking presentation, we’ll explore MyPlate healthy eating guidelines, decipher the nutrition facts labels and learn how to make a budget-friendly meal!
For more information, contact Nutrition Coordinators Abigail Killian at abigailk@foodbankwma.org (413)419-1156 or Katie Grimaldi at katiel@foodbankwma.org (413)203-6379.

Story Telling for Wellbeing
2025-01-14 10:00 - 11:00

Know Your Rights: Information for immigrant community members and programs who serve them
2025-01-10 12:00 - 13:00
Information for immigrant community members and programs who serve them.

Join us for an informative webinar, “Know Your Rights: Information for Immigrant Community Members and Programs Who Serve Them.” Speakers include Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of MIRA, MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition and Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires

Conozca sus derechos: Información para miembros de la comunidad de inmigrantes y programas que los atienden.

Únase a nosotros para un seminario web informativo, “Conozca sus derechos: información para miembros de la comunidad de inmigrantes y programas que les sirven”. Los presentantes incluyen a Elizabeth Sweet, directora ejecutiva de MIRA, MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition e Ilana Steinhauer, directora ejecutiva de Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires

First-time Homebuyer Workshop
2025-01-08 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 online workshop:
Wednesdays 5:30pm-8:30pm
January 8, 15 and 22
Walk-ins are not accepted. Attendance for this workshop will be limited.
Cost of the workshop is $50 per household, nonrefundable.
Please register in advance at the link below.

I survived Cancer, Now What?
2025-01-06 18:00 - 19:30
Jan 06, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST

Interactive webinar to explore life beyond treatment with practical tools, personal stories, and support. Register today to take the next step in your cancer journey!

Itty Bitty Basketball
2025-01-04 09:00 - 10:00

Community Foundation SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OPENS
2025-01-01 08:00 - 17:00
Obtaining a college education is expensive, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts strives to provide some financial assistance to students living in Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties to help them achieve their goal of graduating from college. We have over 160 different scholarship funds, and each year we give away over 1,000 individual scholarship awards. This equates to approximately $1.4 million in scholarships.

Winter Holiday Break
2024-12-31 08:00 - 17:00

FREE Youth Financial Literacy Workshop
2024-12-30 11:00 - 14:00
Control your finances before they control you!

Our free Youth Financial Literacy Workshop tells you what you need to know about managing your money, credit cards and more.
This workshop is for Middle School, High School and college-bound youths. December 30, 2024, from 11am-2pm at Way Finders, 1780 Main Street, Springfield, MA.
Everyone who attends gets free lunch and a gift card!
Attendance is limited to 30 – sign up today to reserve your space.

Dreidel Painting Workshop
2024-12-22 12:00 - 16:00
Grab your family and head to The Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery on Sunday, December 22 from 12-4pm to paint a wooden dreidel!
This FREE, family-friendly activity is perfect for kids of all ages. We will provide brushes, one wooden dreidel per person, and a choice between acrylic or tempura paint. Get ready to spend an enjoyable afternoon making memories at the gallery table with family and new friends! Wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained. Please RSVP via the ticket link.
Donations accepted for the Amherst Survival Center.

Father's & Family Network Meeting
2024-12-19 10:00 - 11:30

Whole Children and Milestones Winter Classes Registration Open
2024-12-19 08:00 - 17:00
Winter session registration is open for in-person and virtual classes! The session runs from January 6 to March 1, 2025. NEW this winter are Craft Club and Music Exploration. Sign-up now to save your spot: https://wholechildren.org/class-schedule

Santa's Train
2024-12-18 14:00 - 15:00
I
Come meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment, just for you!
In collaboration with the Pioneer Valley Model Railroad Club, The Garden
House at Look Park will be transformed into a mystical wonderland, and
will offer sights and sounds to capture the magic of the season.
Children of all ages will have the chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus
and explore an enchanted forest of holiday trees and playful miniature
villages with vintage model trains whizzing through the landscape. Bring
your camera to take your holiday photos, and share your images to post
with us after the event if you like!
Before leaving, you can drive through the park and enjoy the rest of the
holiday lights installed throughout the grounds.
Keeping this event sensory-friendly means the concessions, trolley. bar
and market will not be available from 2:00-3:00, during our private event.
Sounds and lights will be turned down low and limited.
The Garden house is wheelchair accessible.
Please contact kansas.brown@pathlightgrouporg with any question

Lunch & Learn: Financial Wellness
2024-12-17 12:00 - 13:00
Program Description
Event Details

Spend a lunch break at the Library and get financially fit with Dawn Creighton of Liberty Bank! Join Dawn for a series of engaging lunch-time workshops about budgeting, money management, saving, credit-building, home-buying, and more. Treat yourself to free light refreshments and time to network with other community members interested in financial empowerment.
Registration required, because space is limited. Ages 18+.

Connect Science: Service-Learning Training Program
2024-12-13 08:00 - 17:00
MSA is excited to announce the return of our Connect Science: Service-Learning Training Program! Join us to learn about Connect Science: a research-based science instruction that integrates social emotional learning, science, and service-learning.

WHAT: Training, materials, and support aligned with upper elementary MA Science and Technology Standards. Participants will receive an evidence-based service-learning/social emotional/science unit of study with all the materials to implement with students.
WHO: Any school district or out-of-school time program
WHEN:

December 5 & 6, 2024
December 12 & 13, 2024
Follow up virtual session determined by participants

WHERE: Massachusetts Service Alliance, 98 N. Washington Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114

To learn more, read this linked info sheet and attend the upcoming Connect Science Service-Learning Training Info Session on October 4th at 11 am. Register for the Connect Science info session using this link.*
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*If you are not able to attend this session live and you would still like to hear the information, please still register and you will be sent a link to the recording of the session.

On Board Matching Event
2024-12-12 17:00 - 19:00
We are excited to once again host the United Way OnBoard Matching Event, where your skills and expertise can help make a difference in our community! This unique opportunity connects passionate individuals like you with local nonprofits seeking new board members.
At this event, you will:

Meet with nonprofit leaders actively seeking board members
Learn about the missions, challenges, and needs of these organizations
Explore opportunities to leverage your skills in support of meaningful causes
Network with other community leaders and like-minded professionals

Tthis event is a perfect chance to explore different options and find a match that aligns with your passion.
We hope you can join us for an inspiring and rewarding evening! Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ali Maggio at amaggio@uwpv.org.
Free parking for this event is available at the MGM Springfield Garage.
Paid parking is available at the Tower Square Garage.
