Human Service Forum

September Virtual Post-Purchase Workshop – FREE
2024-09-14 09:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
September 14 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
FREE

If you’ve already purchased your home, join our virtual Post-Purchase workshop for a fun-filled workshop of interactive learning and home care demonstrations from our partnering presenters.
Our workshop also includes information on:

Construction rehabilitation loans,
Seasonal home maintenance and home repair,
Being green in and around your home,
Weatherization,
And much more!

This meets the MHP Post-Purchase workshop requirement.

River Valley Counseling Center 9th Annual Golf Tournament
2024-09-13 | East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA, United States
River Valley Counseling Center’s 9th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by CATALDO AMBULANCE SERVICE is taking place Friday, September 13, 2024, at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield.
Tee off with us for a great cause! Funds raised will directly benefit the children, teens, and their families who receive our life-changing services. Improved mental health and emotional well-being allow children to be more focused and involved in school, therefore better preparing them for a brighter socio-economic future.
The day will include 18 holes, golf cart, lunch, dinner, gift bag, contests, and prizes too. To register individually, as a foursome, or to learn more about the various sponsorship and in-kind donation opportunities, please visit www.rvccinc.org/golf/
We hope to see you there!

9th Annual River Valley Counseling Ctr. Golf Tournament
2024-09-13 | East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA, United States
Again, RVCC is hosting its golf tournament for the 9th year on Friday, September 13, 2024. We’re truly grateful for the wonderful support we receive from the many individuals and sponsors who support our mission.
As we look ahead to September, we are excited to continue our mission of providing essential mental health services to our community’s youth. With almost 40% of our clientele being aged 18 and under, your support is invaluable in ensuring that these individuals receive the care and support they need.
Through our collaboration with 11 school districts, we are able to provide mental health counseling during the school day, reaching many children and teens where they are most comfortable. This is just one of the many ways we’re having an impact on improved health, quality of life, and emotional well-being in the children and teens in the community.
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Location: East Mountain Country Club
1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA
Event Details:
9:00 am: Registration & Driving Range Opens
10:30 am: Shotgun Start; Scramble Format
11 am – 2 pm: Lunch
4:15 pm: Dinner buffet followed by awards & raffle winners

Pulmonary Hypertension Explained: Signs and Solutions
2024-09-12 18:00 - 19:00
Join Dr. Talal Dahhan, Division Chief for Pulmonary & Critical Care, Baystate Pulmonary, for a discussion about decoding the signs of pulmonary hypertension, where high lung artery pressure mimics other ailments, and learn crucial management strategies for your health.

Diemand Farm Tour
2024-09-12 15:00 - 17:00
Join us on Thursday, September 12th for a tour of Diemand Farm! Learn how the family tends to their animals and processes their chickens and birds on-site. Along the way, you’ll see chickens, turkeys, beef cattle, miniature donkeys, sheep, and goats!
You’ll also discover how this family farm got started in 1936 and get an inside peek into their kitchen where they make delicious, small-batch meals using their farm-raised meat and other local ingredients.
Location: Diemand Farm, 126 Mormon Hollow Road, Wendell, MA
Date: Thursday, September 12th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: Sliding scale $10-$25 admission to go towards CISA’s programs and mission to build a just, resilient, and equitable local food system.

L.A.N.D. Living a New Day - A New Norm After Cancer
2024-09-11 18:00 - 19:30
This program is recommended for those who have completed their initial cancer treatments. Please contact Cindy if in treatment. Cindy@eachmomentwerealive.org

“Seasons may change, but cancer doesn’t – Join us on the journey together!”
EMWA Survivorship Program – 8 WEEKS This small group is limited to 10 – If you are interested in being a part please R.S.V.P. soon.
Each Moment We’re Alive – Living a New Day, A New Norm (L.A.N.D.) is a guided 8 week program which offers you a step-by-step process, paired with knowledge and skills to create positive outcomes for living a sustainable

Financial Literacy Workshop
2024-09-11 18:00 - 19:30

September First-time Homebuyer Workshop (English)
2024-09-11 17:30 - 20:30
September 11 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
$50

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 ZOOM workshop:
Wednesday, September 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesday, September 18, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesday, September 25, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Walk-ins are not accepted. Attendance for this workshop will be limited.
Cost of the workshop is $50 per household, nonrefundable.

Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
2024-09-11 12:00 - 15:15 | Webinar
Live Interactive Webinar
Instructor: Lindsay Bornheimer, Ph.D., LCSW
Level: Intermediate
CEs: 6
Dates: September 10 and 11, 2024, 12-3:15 p.m. ET
This is a multiple-day session. In order to receive CEs, you must attend both days
Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States and worldwide. Nearly 50 percent of individuals who die by suicide see a healthcare provider within a month of death, yet suicide risk assessment and treatment is consistently difficult in practice. With the majority of mental health services in the U.S. being delivered by social workers, it is imperative that risk assessment and safety planning knowledge and skills are in place for our work with clients with the ultimate goal being to prevent premature suicidal death.
This workshop will discuss and present on suicide as public health issue in the U.S., risk and protective factors, warning signs, barriers to help-seeking, risk assessment process and risk formulation, safety planning and cultural humility in risk assessment with use of a clinical case. This workshop is focused on the adult population.

In Recognition of Sickle Cell Awareness Month
2024-09-10 18:00 - 19:00
With sickle cell disease, an inherited group of disorders, red blood cells contort into a sickle shape and symptoms include infection, pain, and fatigue. Join Dr. Richard Steingart, Hematologist, Baystate Hematology Oncology, for a discussion about sickle cell disease, the causes, risk factors, and diagnosis and treatment.

COSA'S Provider Fair
2024-09-10 10:00 - 11:30
Join COSA for the Provider’s Fair! Gather with colleagues from organizations throughout Hampshire County. This tabling event provides the opportunity to network, share news about your programming, discuss trends, and discover resources.

COSA’s Annual Meeting will also take place at this event. Hear reporting on the past year and plans for the future. All COSA members are welcome to take part in the election of Board officers and members.

Only a few spaces are left! We will try to fulfill your registration if at all possible.

Want to network with nonprofit colleagues? No registration is necessary. Join us!

COSA Provider’s Fair and Annual Meeting
Tuesday, September 10th from 10:00am-11:30am (setup at 9:30am)
Haskell Building, 1 Prince Street, Northampton (MAP)

Light refreshments will be available.

MLK JR Family Services Family Reunion
2024-09-08 16:00 - 18:30
Family-Fun Day!
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 11am – 5pm
A brief program will inspire & kick us off followed by backyard games, tournaments and food and snacks.
Did we mention cotton candy, karaoke, face painting, family fun relay games, DJ – and maybe a visit from our favorite area mascots!
AND….WTCC Radio will be joining us to offer opportunities to record YOUR MLKFS story of impact. Don’t miss it!

Fellowship & Worship
Sunday, September 8, 2024, 4pm
There is no MLKFS without the vision of Project Mustard Seed—we will gather in that spirit and tradition with a special worship service under the leadership The Reverend Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery, Pastor of the MLK Jr. Community Presbyterian Church as we welcome Project Mustard Seed Visionary Leader The Reverend Dr. Ronald E. Peters to bless us with his message and call to action.
We are overjoyed that this celebration will feature a MLK Community Choir under the direction of Elder Terrence Haynes, accompanied by Terrence Schider. Prepare to be blessed!

Getting excited? ALL must pre-register for the event.

Rooted Flowers Farm Tour
2024-09-07 10:00 - 14:00
Join us on Saturday, September 7th for a delightful tour of Rooted Flowers Farm!
You’ll discover the art and science behind growing a diverse array of flower varieties from seed to harvest, as owner Becky Sadlowski shares her journey of operating a successful flower farm business.

Activities include:

Guided tours of the Rooted Flower Farm and gardens
Purchase a flowers to craft your own bouquet at the Flower Bar!
Face painting for kids

Autumn Mist Farm food truck be on site serving hotdogs, hamburgers, and their own kielbasa. Enjoy a free Crooked Stick pop at the end to complete your tour.
Tours begin at 10 am, 11 am, and noon. Choose your tour time upon registration.
Tickets: kids 3+ $10; Adults $25; Family of four $60. Ages 3 and under are free

Stars and Stripes Day
2024-09-05 08:00 - 17:00

Stone Soul Parade & Festival
2024-08-31 11:00 - 17:00
Join Baystate Health & Health New England colleagues, family, and friends at the Stone Soul Parade & Festival.
The parade route is about two miles. It starts at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School, goes left on State Street, down to Gaucher Street, left on Roosevelt Avenue, and then left on Blunt Park Road.
Join us at Blunt Park after the parade for New England’s largest African American festival.
This 3-day festival is for all ages. It includes:

Live music
Cultural Foods
Dancing
Games
Floats
Food from local vendors
A health fair
Giveaways

Overdose Awareness Vigil
2024-08-30 18:00 - 20:00

Community Foundation of Western MA Virtual Open Office Hours
2024-08-30 10:00 - 13:00
The Community Impact Team will have virtual open office hours for nonprofits and other stakeholders

INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR FLEXIBLE FUNDING 2024
2024-08-23 10:00 - 11:00
Flexible Funding aims to provide unrestricted financial support to sustain day-to-day operations of organizations, enabling you to focus on your mission. At CFWM, equity is central to all our efforts. We especially welcome applications from smaller, newer, non-traditional, or fiscally sponsored organizations that have not yet received substantial institutional philanthropy. We also prioritize organizations deeply rooted in their communities.
This year, we are excited to announce a partnership with the MassMutual Foundation, offering an expansion of Flexible Funding grants specifically for Springfield-serving organizations. Additionally, we have expanded funding available in Franklin County. With a single application, organizations can apply for funding; our staff will decide which of the criteria your organization best meets.
CFWM Staff will hold virtual information sessions about the Flexible Funding 2024 grant opportunity. Information sessions will review the grant process, the application and criteria. They are as follows:
August 7, 2024: 2pm – 3pm (general)
August 13, 2024: 10am – 11am (support for submitting your budget)
August 23, 2024: 9am – 10am (general)
August 23, 2024: 10am – 11am (for fiscally sponsored organizations)

Focus on Your Future
2024-08-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-08-21 18:00 - 19:00
Get ready to learn the basics of making a budget, how to read a credit report, and what can be done to correct errors that may negatively affect your credit rating. Led by HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach Amy Hoerle, the workshop will also cover your rights as a consumer and how to make the most of them. The workshop is free to attendees, but registration is required.​
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The same course will be offered on back-to-back days. Which day works better for your schedule?

Voices in Food Equity: Nourishing Tomorrow's Leaders
2024-08-21 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for Voices in Food Equity: Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders on Wednesday, August 21st at Berkshire Community College from 5:00-7:30 PM. This crucial event will address childhood hunger as well as its impact on students through college in Western Massachusetts. We’re excited to learn about community-driven solutions and the importance of legislative action together as a community. Register using the link below!
This event is completely free however space is limited. So, secure your seat now and join us for incredible discussions and delicious hors d’oeuvres!

How to Use Free Tools to Boost Your Non-Profits’s Online Visibility
2024-08-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Online Event, MA, United States
Tuesday, August 20th 9am -10am
Free for HSF Members
Most non-profit leaders agree that having a strong online presence is crucial for their organizations to engage with supporters, attract donors, and raise awareness for their cause. However, challenges such as limited budgets, broad target audiences, and reliance on volunteers sometimes make marketing seem like an insurmountable mountain to climb.
This workshop is tailored to address these challenges and provide you with a practical framework and launchpad to help you leverage free tools to boost your non-profit’s visibility.
What You’ll Learn

Key Components of Online Visibility Understand the essential elements of a strong online presence, including website optimization, social media engagement, search engine optimization, and content marketing.
Top Free Tools for Digital Marketing We will then go through some of the top free tools online to help you nail the above-mentioned components of online visibility.
How to ask the right questions No need to be confused by marketing jargon. We’ll talk about the main things you need to know when you’re bringing in someone to help with your digital marketing and how to ask the right questions so you can keep your finger on the pulse. (This year, all non-profits in Western Mass can get volunteer help with their digital marketing at no cost through the Catchafire program so this is a great place to start).

Why Attend?

Gain valuable insights and practical tips from a digital marketing expert who has worked with many non-profits.
Get clarity. Know what you need to focus on to get results.
Learn how to find free tools, leverage specials for non-profits

Presenter:
The workshop will be presented by Fungai Tichawangana, founder of Artist Dynamix, a digital marketing agency based in Amherst MA. Fungai has built an impressive career at the intersection of journalism and digital marketing, focusing on how creatives and non-profits can best leverage the power of the Internet. In 2015, he was awarded a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard. Since moving to Western Massachusetts in 2018, he has done work for The Community Foundation of Western MA, The ArtsHub of Western MA, and the WriteAngles Conference, among others.

Thank you to our Training Sponsors

HSF Annual Sponsors

Annual Frozen Yogurt 5K Run/Walk
2024-08-18 08:00 - 17:00

BackPack Giveaway
2024-08-17 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Ware Family Resource Center for our Backpack Giveaway on August 17th! Free backpacks will be available for the first 100 youth! Please note that youth must be present to receive a backpack. Have questions? Call (413) 277-6601 or email bhnfrc@bhninc.org.

August First-time Homebuyer Workshop (English)
2024-08-17 09:00 - 14:00
August 17 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
$50

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 two-part in-person workshop:
Saturday, August 17, 9am-2pm
Saturday, August 24, 9am-2pm
Walk-ins are not accepted. Attendance for this workshop will be limited.
Cost of the workshop is $50 per household, nonrefundable.

August Credit Success Workshop
2024-08-13 17:30 - 20:30
August 13 @ 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.
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.

MHA Grand Opening
2024-08-13 11:30 - 13:00 | 350 Memorial Drive , Chicopee, MA

Annual Backpack & School Supply Distribution
2024-08-12 14:00 - 17:30

The Savvy Caregiver
2024-08-12 13:00 - 15:00 | RiverMills Senior Center, 5 W. Main Street, Chicopee, 01020, United States
Savvy Caregiver® is a class for family and friends caring for someone living with memory loss or
Alzheimer’s disease.
For most family caregivers, caregiving is a new role and one for which training is needed-just as you
would receive training for any new job. The Savvy Caregiver® Program helps caregivers better understand
the changes their loved ones are experiencing, and how to best provide individualized care for them
throughout the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Participants will learn how to feel better
about their caregiver role and how to care for themselves. The Savvy Caregiver® Program was developed
by experts in caregiving techniques and goes beyond introductory educational offerings to provide
clinical-level training for family caregivers.
Participants will receive a manual to refer to at home, and have homework that provides opportunities to
put new knowledge to work, practice new skills, and assess how things are going between class.
The class will be taught by Monica Crespo, BS, BA, Caregiver Specialist with WestMass ElderCare and
Carol Constant, CDP, both of whom are certified Savvy Caregiver® Group Leaders.
The six-week class is free, but registration is required; please contact Sabrina Denesha (413)538-9020,
ext. 470 or sdenesha@wmeldercare.org to register for the class by July 2. Please contact Monica Crespo
(413)538-9020, ext. 403 or mcrespo@wmeldercare.org to inquire about course content or respite care
opportunities for class participants.

HomeFront Strong Connects & Storytelling Volunteer Training
2024-08-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
HomeFront Strong Connects & Storytelling volunteer training will prepare you to provide community peer support to service members, veterans, and their families, through regular check-ins and the storytelling process
Check-ins are conducted at the convenience of the volunteer and matched individual
Ongoing support is provided to volunteers by HomeFront Strong staff
For more information on the program and to become a volunteer, visit: https://homefrontstrongus.org/about/volunteer/
