Hot Chocolate Run
2024-12-08 08:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
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!

CHD’s & Cancer House of Hope’s Luminaria 2024
2024-12-09 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Legislators & Cookies
2024-12-10 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Books and Brew
2024-12-10 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
A unique book club designed to bring people together; young professionals, community members and anyone interested in financial empowerment.
Thank you White Lion, Springfield City Library and Liberty Bank

Advocacy 101: How to be the best advocate for your child
2024-12-10 17:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

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

Coffee & Conversation
2024-12-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | The Western Mass Training Consortium, 187 High St, Holyoke, MA, United States

Connect Science: Service-Learning Training Program
2024-12-12 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Community Leadership Connect
2024-12-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Welcome to Community Leadership Connect launch! Join us on Thursday, Dec 12. 2024 at 4:00 PM to learn more about this exciting new initiative supporting regional leaders.
The CLC is designed to be a space for convening, collaborating and coordinating community resources that support our regional leaders.
Resource Database:
An inventory of regional leadership development services, including training programs, workshops, and networking events. This free, community access database is a resource guide for leadership development opportunities across the region.
Mentoring Hub:
A centralized mentorship platform that recruits experienced leaders (mentors) and matches them with emerging leaders based on areas of interest, industry, or leadership skills.
Peer Support Circles:
Regular group meetings (virtual or in-person) for shared learning, problem-solving, and emotional support, connecting peers centered on demographic or professional similarities.

Women’s Leadership Circle
New to Leadership
Leading Youth Programs
Board Chairs Circle

Leadership Learnings and Skill Developments:
In collaboration with Human Service Forum and local content experts, training opportunities ranging from multiple day series formats to single session workshops, provide ongoing education to meet the needs of all leaders, wherever they may be in their discovery.

More information

Feel free to share or bring a guest!

On Board Matching Event
2024-12-12 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
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.

HSF Coffee Hour
2024-12-16 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | NCYF Building; 203 East St, Easthampton, 203 East St, Easthampton, MA, 01027, United States
Register Now

Senior staff of HSF members are invited to “Breakfast with Becca”. This is a chance to get together to talk about current challenges and successes. Future sessions may have speakers on relevant topics. This is a member only event. Coffee and bagels will be provided but feel free to bring your own food and drink!

When
Thursday December 16

Program Fee
HSF Members only: $15.00

Where
HSF offices locates at
Northeast Center for Youth and Families Building
203 East Street
Easthampton, MA

Annual Sponsors:

Lunch & Learn: Financial Wellness
2024-12-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
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+.

Financial Literacy Series
2024-12-17 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
Liberty Bank Financial Literacy Series
with Springfield Housing Authority

Tuesday every Month beginning Oct 29 4:30 to 5:30
82 Division Street Springfield, MA
Oct 29: Money Management: How and Why to Bank?
Nov26: Money Management- How to work with a budget!
Dec 17: Credit: How to build/ rebuild credit and why?
Jan 25: First Time Home Buyer
Feb 25: How to avoid fraud!
March 25: Academy for Small Business
Liberty Bank is Partnering with Springfield Housing Authority to offer
Financial Wellness to Community.
There is no fee associated with this information sessions. All are
welcome and encouraged.
Knowledge is power, let us help you grow!

Santa's Train
2024-12-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
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

Whole Children and Milestones Winter Classes Registration Open
2024-12-19 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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

Father's & Family Network Meeting
2024-12-19 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)

Dreidel Painting Workshop
2024-12-22 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Winter Holiday Break
2024-12-30 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)

FREE Youth Financial Literacy Workshop
2024-12-30 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Community Foundation SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OPENS
2025-01-01 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Itty Bitty Basketball
2025-01-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)

I survived Cancer, Now What?
2025-01-06 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
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!

HR Virtual Roundtable
2025-01-07 09:00 - 10:30 UTC | Online via Zoom
HSF is pleased to host roundtable forums around topics important to non-profit HR and fiscal management. Roundtables are led by senior leaders from HSF member organizations.
HSF Roundtable Benefits include:

Facilitated discussions with colleagues across the human service industry on up to date trending topics.
Presentations from industry experts
Networking and sharing of best practices

For more information on attending the HR roundtable contact Rebecca Coolong at rcoolong@humanserviceforum.org
Thank you to our Annual Sponsors

First-time Homebuyer Workshop
2025-01-08 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Know Your Rights: Information for immigrant community members and programs who serve them
2025-01-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
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

Story Telling for Wellbeing
2025-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)

Create Better Health: My Plate Cooking Class
2025-01-14 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Virtual Adoption Matching Event for Children with Disabilities
2025-01-15 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
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

Morning Coffee
2025-01-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Palmer Public Library, Palmer, MA, United States
HomeFront Strong sponsors a monthly gathering on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:00-11:30am, hosted by the Palmer Veterans Services Department.
One of the main purposes of Morning Coffee is to connect service members, veterans, and their family members to the resources and services available to them. Many Morning Coffee attendees also find a community of people who can empathize with the unique challenges and benefits of the military life cycle, ready and eager to welcome them to the tribe!

2nd Annual One Mission Conference: Human Trafficking Awareness
2025-01-17 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
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
