Human Service Forum

Job Descriptions, Evals, and Expectations Through an Equity Lens
2024-12-11 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | NCYF Building; 203 East St, Easthampton, 203 East St, Easthampton, MA, 01027, United States
Objectives

Recognize systems that exist which are directly responsible for invisible barriers
Explore their personal bias and articulate its contributions to conflict and non-productivity in the workplace.
Demonstrate cultural awareness and competence.
Identify language and terms that are harmful and offensive.

Learning Outcomes

Evaluate an organization’s hierarchy and how those structures do not add to building equity and belonging.
Understand Affirmative Action on a deeper level.
Gain a greater understanding of your cultural values, biases, and behaviors and how they impact your interactions amidst diversity.
Explore how language and communication influence whom you attract to your business.
Expand knowledge of policy and systems that innately keep some folks out.

Presented by Traci Talbert- African American Female Presenter Award Association

9am- 12:30pm
$120 HSF Members
$240 Not Yet Members

HSF Training Sponsors

HSF Annual Sponsors

Advocacy 101: How to be the best advocate for your child
2024-12-10 17:00 - 19:30 | Inclusive Community Center, 41 Russell St., Hadley, MA, 01035, United States
This workshop led by Alison Greene will teach you the ins and outs of advocating for your child: How to be more successful by focusing on the most impactful activities that will result in quality supports and services for your child. Learn the processes that turn the wheels of special education, as well as tips for maintaining both a good relationship with the school and high standards for your child.

Legislators & Cookies
2024-12-10 10:00 - 11:30
Close out 2024 with COSA! Join COSA for an in-person December meeting at the Hadley Public Library. Bring a batch of your favorite cookies to share and learn how nonprofits can effectively engage with state & federal legislative offices. We will hear from legislative offices about the general timeline of events & actions in the new year, how and when to effectively advocate for legislation and budget line items, and get a chance to ask questions of legislators and their staff.

Speakers:

Dan Carey, State Representative, Second Hampshire
Mindy Domb, State Representative, Third Hampshire
Jo Comerford, State Senator, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester
Koby Gardner-Levine, Regional Manager for Congressman Jim McGovern

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Time: 10:00am-11:30 am
Location: Hadley Public Library, 50 Middle Street, Hadley, MA 01035
Light refreshments will be available.

CHD’s & Cancer House of Hope’s Luminaria 2024
2024-12-09 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for the Cancer House of Hope’s annual Luminaria on Dec 9th, 5 pm to 7 pm at the Town Common in West Springfield, MA.
Honor your loved ones who have passed away or a loved one currently fighting cancer or has survived. You can buy a luminary for $10 each.

Hot Chocolate Run
2024-12-08 08:00 - 12:00
The Hot Chocolate Run is a community celebration of Safe Passage, the Hampshire County organization addressing domestic violence.
Sign up to run, walk, or volunteer on December 8!
Then, share your fundraising page with family and friends to create year-round support for survivors of domestic violence.

Join us for a great time for a great cause!

Service Enterprise Cohorts
2024-12-05 14:00 - 15:00
MSA is currently seeking organizations from ALL regions of Massachusetts to join our 2025 Service Enterprise cohorts! The Service Enterprise Initiative is a transformational training program that strategically enhances an organization’s ability to engage volunteers and advance their mission. This nationally recognized certification is the gold standard in volunteer engagement and is proven to increase efficiency and effectiveness across all levels of your organization. Learn more about Service Enterprise and see current and past nonprofit participants by visiting our website and attending one of the following Info Sessions.

SEI Info Session #1* — registration link
Date: October 15th
Time: 10 am – 11 am
SEI Info Session #2* — registration link
Date: December 5th
Time: 2 pm – 3 pm

*If you are not able to attend these sessions 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.

Holiday Performance
2024-12-05 12:15 - 13:30
Holiday Performance by Berkshire Hills Music Academy Musicians

December 5 @ 12:15 pm–1:30 pm
|Cost: $4|Cost for Members: FREE

Note: In-person Only

Join us for a live performance of holiday music! Berkshire Hills Music Academy (BHMA) students John Libera, Michael Cote, Matt Cloughley, Franklin Nichols, and woodwind instructor Paul Coffill will present a variety of seasonal selections. Together the five represent three different chamber ensembles at BHMA.

Fuel Up Week!
2024-12-02 08:00 - 22:00

March for the Food Bank
2024-11-26 06:30 - 18:00
15 years ago, Monte Belmonte pushed an empty shopping cart from Northampton to Greenfield with the goal of raising $5,000 for the Food Bank. He raised $13,000 that year, and started a movement that has become the three county, 43-mile March for the Food Bank.

Join Monte, Congressman Jim McGovern, & Food Bank Executive Director Andrew Morehouse as they march from Springfield to Greenfield this November.
Our $500,000 goal for this march will enable the Food Bank to provide the equivalent of 1.5 million meals to the community!

WMDC Fundraising Comedy Show
2024-11-23 18:30 - 22:00

Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
2024-11-23 10:00 - 13:00 | All Inclusive Support Services, 736 State St., Springfield, MA, 01109, United States
Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) supports hundreds of large and small Survivor Day events around the world, in which suicide loss survivors come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience.
We invite you to join us in Springfield, MA for a meaningful day filled with breakout groups, lunch, engaging activities, and a powerful AFSP-produced documentary that highlights themes of growth, resilience, and connection. This event is free and is for Survivors of Suicide Loss only.
Springfield Event Information
• 10:00am – 10:15am: Check-in
• 10:15am – 10:20am: Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 10:20am – 10:50am: AFSP Documentary Screening
• 11:00am – 12:15pm: Breakout Sessions
• 12:15pm – 12:55pm: Lunch
• 12:55pm – 1 :00pm: Poem Reading & Closing Remarks

Holiday Tree Jubilee
2024-11-22 17:00 - 20:00
Our Holiday Tree Jubilee returns for 2025! And we have over 100 trees committed – that is more than the 75 gloriously decorated trees for our inaugural year in 2024.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, Center for Human Development (CHD) division of Adolescent Reentry Services, and the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral are hosting a “Holiday Tree Jubilee” for the under-resourced communities we serve. The event will take place on November 22, 2024, 5pm to 8pm at the Greek Cultural Center at 22 St. George Rd. in Springfield. It is an honor and great privilege to have the ability to give back to our community and host this event for youth and families from the region.

With the support of a variety of community sponsors, the event is entirely FREE to the communities we serve providing barrier free enjoyment for the entire family. The event bring the Holiday Spirit to life with: photos with Santa; carolers; hot chocolate station; dance performances; face painting; cookie decorating: karaoke; letters to Santa; and best of all: a decorated holiday tree raffle free to everyone! All trees are generously donated and decorated in a family-friendly theme, to donate them to go home with the families in attendance. Transportation details to come.

If you have an interest in supporting this event monetarily or with a decorated tree donation, please reach out to Claudia Pazmany at (413) 687-9661 or email.

Providing a joyous holiday memory these families will never forget along with over 100 decorated, sparkling holiday trees for the homes of the families we serve will deliver immeasurable cheer and hope in this season of giving.

Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum - Book Group & Discussion
2024-11-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Online, England, United States
The book documents the 93-year-old history of Crownsville Hospital, one of the last segregated asylums with surviving records in the US. Madness chronicles the stories of Black families whose mental health suffered as they tried, and sometimes failed, to find safety and dignity.
The initial book group discussion will take place on July 26th, 12-1pm via Zoom and monthly book discussions will occur on the
fourth Friday from 12-1pm.
Feel free to reach out for more information:
Beckyl-resiliency@wmtcinfo.org or Rafael@wmtcinfo.org

Car Wash for a Cause
2024-11-21 08:00 - 2024-11-30 17:00 | Gary Rome Hyundai, 150 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, MA, 01040, United States
🚗🚙💦Car Wash for a Cause:🚗🚙💦
Support the Western Massachusetts Training Consortium at the Gary Rome Hyundai Car Wash for our Home and Community Connections program.
How Can You Help?
o Buy a car wash at https://wlink.live/2024_consortium
o Invite your family and friends to get a car wash or gift a car wash.
o Spread the Word:
o Repost this message
o Share the fundraiser link
o Share the flyer with the QR code
How to Participate:
You can purchase the car wash for yourself or gift it to someone else. You can also buy it now and wash it later.
Why Participate?
There is a vital need: Every car wash helps the Home and Community Connections Program to support adults with developmental disabilities access assistive technology, advanced learning opportunities, and additional support for community-inclusive activities.
Working together can make a real difference, one car wash at a time!

Cooking With Mary-Fresh and Dried Cranberries
2024-11-16 15:00 - 16:30
Saturday, November 16, 2024
3:00 PM 4:30 PM

Enfield Loaves and Fishes23 North Main StreetEnfield, CT 06082 (map)

Brightly colored and flavored cranberries have a rightful place during the holidays. We will be using both fresh and dried cranberries in recipes for Gingered Cranberry Chutney and Baked Brie using the chutney, Cranberry Orange Crunch Muffins, Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cranberry-Pecan Mini Loaves, and Baby Greens Salad with Pears, Cranberries, Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts.

November Massachusetts Landlord Workshop
2024-11-16 09:00 - 14:00
November 16 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
$119.95

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).

November First-time Homebuyer Workshop
2024-11-16 09:00 - 14:00
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 online workshop:
Saturday, November 16, 9am-2pm
Saturday, November 23, 9am-2pm
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.

Men's Health Forum
2024-11-16 08:30 - 15:30

Interest-Free Student Loan Program Applications Closing
2024-11-15 08:00 - 17:00
Community Foundation Resumes Interest-Free Student Loan Program After Temporary Pause
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is pleased to announce the resumption of its student loan program, designed to support post-secondary education students needing financial assistance. After a temporary pause was initiated in July 2024 to assess the program’s impact on students, the Foundation has reinstated the program while continuing ongoing research and dialogue.
The pause was part of a larger initiative to evaluate how the loan program fits into the broader conversation of student loan debt, affordability, equity, and long-term financial health for students.
“We took some time to carefully consider whether our loan program was helping students achieve their educational goals without leading to unmanageable debt after graduation,” said Megan Burke, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “While the conversation around student loan debt is ongoing, we remain committed to supporting students, and we are confident that resuming the program this Fall is the right step as we continue to consider what the best strategies may be for our approach.”
While research on the program’s impact continues, the Foundation has adjusted its timeline to ensure the program remains accessible and beneficial to students. Applications will open on November 1 and close on November 15, with awards expected to arrive to students in January 2025 in time to offer support for the Spring semester of the academic year.
“We have listened carefully to our community of experts to ensure that our loan program is a bridge, not a barrier, to success,” added Denise Hurst, Vice President for Community Impact and Partnerships. “By resuming the program, we’re taking action to help students today while working on improvements for the future.” As the program moves forward, the Community Foundation will continue to engage with stakeholders and students to find ways to make educational financing more equitable and sustainable. For more information about the loan program,

Funding the Future: Western Mass Business Resource Night
2024-11-14 17:30 - 20:00
Want to grow your business or a great idea to launch? Join us for a night that’s all about helping you grow right here in Western Mass!
The Center for Women & Enterprise, Chase Bank, and Unstoppable Latina Marketing Agency are bringing together folks who really get our local scene – from city centers to small towns, farms to factories. These are leaders and organizations from your own backyard who understand what it takes to make a business work in our diverse community.
Here’s what we’ve got planned:

Show Me the Money: Local lenders will chat about how businesses of all sizes can work with banks and non-profits to get funding. They’ll cover the basics, like how to know if you’re ready for a loan and smart ways to use the money.
Brains For Your Business: Learn about free advice and support available to you, no matter what stage your business is in. Find out how this local expertise can set you up for success and even help you land that loan you need.

Plus, there’ll be plenty of time to mix and mingle with other business owners from all over Western Mass.
Whether you’re running a food truck, starting a tech company, or dreaming up the next big thing on your family farm, this night is for you. Come as you are, and let’s grow together!

World Diabetes Day Health Education Day
2024-11-14 12:00 - 16:00
Join us for an in-person event with information about diabetes, and wellness resources.

Community Care Package Drive
2024-11-13 08:00 - 17:00

Turning 18: Making Sense of MassHealth and Private Insurance Options
2024-11-12 18:00 - 19:30

November VIRTUAL Credit Success Workshop
2024-11-12 17:30 - 20:30
November 12 @ 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.

November In-Person Credit Success Workshop
2024-11-12 12:30 - 15:30
November 12 @ 12:30 pm – 3:30 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.

COSA Housing Panel
2024-11-12 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for the November COSA members meeting to network with your colleagues, share announcements from your organization, and hear from our speakers panel on the topic of housing in Western Massachusetts. Our panelists will be Shaundell Diaz, Program Director at Three County Continuum of Care, Community Action; Jodi Smith, Senior Vice President of Housing Education at Way Finders, and Keleigh BenEzra, Director of Shelter and Housing at Clinical and Support Options.

Tuesday, November 12th from 10am-11:30am
Hadley Library
Light refreshments will be available

HSF BREAKFAST: Ethical Uses of A.I.: Asking the Hard Questions
2024-11-12 07:30 - 10:00 | Mount Holyoke College Willits-Hallowell Center, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA, United States
Tuesday November 12th 7:30am- 10:00pm
Willits Hallowell Center, South Hadley
HSF is happy to welcome Ankit Virimani, international expert in the field of ethical uses of generative AI. Ankit will be giving a brief keynote discussing advances in AI technology for use in the non-profit field and on the issues and challenges being discussed on a broad scale. You are being invited to join in a conversation to presenting him with the hard challenging questions that are your personal hesitations/stumbling blocks/fears to see if we can address them together.
Join us for breakfast, insightful conversation, and networking. Email jtingley@humanserviceforum.org for diet restrictions or other accommodations.
$45 for HSF Members $65 for Not Yet Members

Thank you to Our Breakfast Sponsors

Thank You to Our Annual Sponsors

Volunteer Orientation
2024-11-11 18:00 - 19:00
New Volunteer Orientation at our Springfield Housing Center
Monday, 11/11, 6-7 pm
Learn more about our mission and programs, and how you can get involved in making a difference in our community. Light bites will be served.
Learn more about our mission and programs, and how you can get involved in making a difference in our community. Light bites will be served.

Shaped by Service Art Show
2024-11-10 13:00 - 17:00
Storytelling can take many forms, oral or visual, and at t HomeFront Strong, we believe in using artistic expression to tell stories of service.
We would like to invite service members, veterans, and their family members to take part in a photo emulsion class. Using a variety of different size Gelli printing plates, brayers, and Acrylic colors, students will use magazine clippings, patterns, and photographs to create a series of prints that capture their military history through art.
Finished pieces will be showcased in the Shaped by Service Art Show in November. Those who have participated in the HFS Storytelling program are encouraged to sign up!
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Show Dates and Times: Saturday, November 2nd to Sunday, November 10th
Saturdays & Sundays | 1 to 5 pm
Closing Reception: Sunday, November 10th | 3 to 5 pm

November Virtual Post-Purchase Workshop
2024-11-09 09:00 - 14:00
November 9 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Free

Get paid to attend this workshop – everyone who participates gets a $50 gift card, and one lucky attendee will win a $250 gift card at the end of the workshop!

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.
