Ethical Uses of A.I.: Asking the Hard Questions
2025-02-26 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Wednesday February 26th @9am
Presented over Zoom
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.
(This workshop is a reschedule of HSF’s November Breakfast speaker. All registrants of that Breakfast are auto-registered for this workshop.)

HSF Members: $25
Not Yet Members: $50

HSF Annual Sponsors:

Could It Be Lung Cancer and How Do I Check?
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:00
A cough can be normal, but when is it something more? Am I breathing something into my lungs that puts me at risk for lung cancer? Join Dr. Eduardo Núñez, Baystate Pulmonary, for a discussion on the signs of lung cancer and the importance of early screening. Learn about the risks from tobacco, vaping, marijuana, radon, pollution, and family history—and how you can protect your lungs.

Cancer Drug Therapy and Heart Health
2025-02-22 12:00 - 13:00
Discover the life-saving collaboration between oncology and cardiology. As cancer drug therapies can put added strain on the heart, a multidisciplinary approach is essential to help patients manage the cardiovascular effects of their treatments. Join Dr. Anusha Ganapati Bhat, Cardio-Oncology, Cardiology, to learn how cardiologists work alongside oncologists to minimize heart risks, allowing patients to continue receiving vital cancer therapies safely and effectively.

Habitat Open House
2025-02-19 17:30 - 19:00 | East Forest Park Library, 136 Surrey Road, Springfield MA, MA, 01109, United States
Join us for an inspiring and interactive Open House hosted by Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity! Whether you’re curious about our mission, eager to get involved, or just want to learn more about how we build stronger communities, this is the perfect opportunity. There is no fee but an RSVP is appreciated. Reserve your spot today: bit.ly/4jwNo0i

Revolutionizing AFib Treatment: Discover the New Farapulse Technology
2025-02-16 12:00 - 13:00
Learn about a breakthrough in treating Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) with Farapulse, the innovative new FDA-approved technology that offers a unique approach compared to traditional ablation procedures. Join Dr. Kyle M. Gobeil, Electrophysiology, Cardiology, for in-depth information on how Farapulse is transforming AFib care and what this cutting-edge treatment could mean for your health.

Big Love Little Performances 3.0
2025-02-13 18:00 - 22:00
Big Love Little Performances 3.0. The hottest ticket for 2025! Hire the babysitter! It’s a Date Night! It’s a Galentine’s Day! It’s a Broentine’s hang. Thursday, February 13th The Iron Horse
Get your tix or sign-up to perform at: [http://getmeregistered.com/4BLLP2025](http://getmeregistered.com/4BLLP2025)
This 21+ event is a Lip-sync & Karaoke fundraising event benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County.
Expect surprise guests and entertainers as we ride to the Pink Pony Club.
Along with all the amazing performances, the famous savory food, libation cheer, desserts to fall in love with, a curated auction and sweet activities, will make this simply the best way to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day full of love and community connection benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County.

Deciphering Nutrition Labels
2025-02-12 18:00 - 19:00
Discover how understanding nutrition labels can aid in making informed food choices with ease and confidence that promote healthy living. Join Dina Dugan, RD, Baystate Noble Hospital, for a discussion about the parts of a nutrition label, why they matter, the historical context and tips for using nutrition labels effectively

Habitat "Home" School
2025-02-12 17:00 - 19:00
Habitat Home School is a monthly interactive online class that teaches its participants how to become financially ready to apply for Greater Springfield Habitat’s homeownership program. The inaugural class “Building Strong Credit” will be held in English on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 5pm; and Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 5pm for Spanish speakers. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Classes are offered in collaboration with Operation Hope and will be lead by their instructors.

Compassionate Accountable Conversations - February 10, 11, and 12
2025-02-12 09:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
TRAINING FOR MA BSAS FUNDED PROGRAMS ONLY
If you work with survivors or people who you think may be bullying their partners or others, this training offers practical, effective skills for interrupting and transforming those patterns.
PS: These skills are great if you have a role where you deal with bullies in your life and you want support figuring out how to handle yourself with them.
Register: https://careersofsubstance.org/events/list/intimate-partner-violence-navigating-compassionate-and-accountable-conversations

Thinking about Housing, Part 1
2025-02-11 18:00 - 20:00
A free webinar with Family Empowerment and Cathy Boyle,
Officer of Autism Housing Pathways, a commissioner of the Winchester Housing Authority, and a member of the Winchester Housing Partnership Board.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
6 p.m. – 6 p.m.
ZOOM

The discussion will cover the crucial process of combining available public funds with realistic family assets to create the best potential for housing options. Although this is a basic webinar which highlights all of the important steps to any plan in process, it will also be useful even for those already on a Section 8 list.

Topics include:
· public funds available to pay for housing
· level of support needed
· living skills development
· assessment of personal resources
· housing models
· person-centered planning
· state care support options (including non-DDS options)

This webinar is open to all members of the community, including parents, students, caregivers, family members, agency professionals, student team members, and educators!

COSA Meets: Advocacy
2025-02-11 10:00 - 11:00
As the new two-year legislative session has just begun in Massachusetts, the February COSA meeting will be focused on legislative advocacy. Many COSA member agencies have an interest in advocating for public policy that affects your programs and the people you serve. At this meeting, we’ll be talking about effective strategies for engaging with legislators, answering your questions about how to get started, and sharing tips for strengthening your advocacy efforts. We are grateful to our guest speakers for joining us:

Pamela Schwartz, Director
Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness
Laura Sylvester, Public Policy Manager
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

We will learn from Pamela and Laura about their organization’s top legislative priorities as well. We can all be powerful advocates by taking action to support legislation, budget items and policies that will impact social services in our region and statewide. Join us on February 11th to learn more!

Boost Your Health With the Power of Nutrition
2025-02-09 12:00 - 13:00
Join Brandy Sarrette, RDN, LDN, Clinical Dietician, to discover how nutrition can be a game-changer for your heart health such as intermittent fasting and the Mediterranean diet. Explore the vital connection between behavioral health and dietary choices and gain practical insights to improve your lifestyle. Embrace heart-healthy habits that can make a lasting impact on your well-being.

A Little Knight Music; LHS Benefit Concert for JFSWM
2025-02-08 18:30 - 20:00 | First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, 763 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA, 01106, United States
A special concert at The First Church of Christ in Longmeadow featuring student-led groups from the Longmeadow High School Music Dept. to benefit Jewish Family Service’s New American Refugee Resettlement Program.
The concert is free and open to the public.
Donations encouraged at the door.

Lights, Community, Action!
2025-02-08 18:00 - 21:00
A Fundraiser For Community Action
Join us for a night of community and live theater! This review show is sure to be a night to remember. We will make our way through Broadway and Pop favorites as we raise money for Community Action. This event will feature many special guests from our beautiful community and is underwritten by Greenfield Savings Bank. Ticket Prices: General Admission (Adult) – $15 Children (12 and under) – $12 Senior Citizen (65 and over) – $12 All Star (General + Donation) – $25 Rated: G Running time: 90 minutes (one intermission) Note: Strobe and Special Lighting Effects will be used throughout the show.

Field Notes
2025-02-08 16:00 - 18:00
Everyone eats. Food shapes who we are. Come listen to local people share their stories in CISA’s sixth Field Notes live storytelling event. Ranging from humorous to heartwarming, hear about how local food and farming touch our lives and enhance our communities. Tickets are on a sliding scale, from $10-$30

Febrero clases para compradores de casa por primera vez de Way Finders
2025-02-08 09:00 - 14:00
February 8 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
$50

Esta es una clase completa dividida en dos días:
8 y 15 de febrero.Horario: 9:00am a 2pm
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.
¡Regístrese y cree su perfil de comprador de vivienda en free Way Finders hoy!

Understanding the New Gun Safety Legislation in Massachusetts
2025-02-07 12:00 - 13:00

Keeping America's Promise: Navigating Federal Policy Changes
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Springfield- The actions of the president in his first days in office have understandably led to a lot of questions about the future of refugee resettlement. Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts will host a virtual discussion about the topic on Thursday, February 6th at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.
During this online community gathering “Keeping America’s Promise: Navigating Federal Policy Changes” participants will process the changes that have occurred, and hear from JFSWM staff and community members about the impact of these changes. Go to Jewish Family Service’s website for more information and to register for this event: www.jfswm.org.
Link to registration: https://jfswm.networkforgood.com/events/81961-keeping-america-s-promise-navigating-federal-policy-changes

Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL) Training
2025-02-06 18:00 - 19:00
Senator Jo Comerford and I are delighted to partner with the office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and invite you to attend this important free training by the Attorney General’s office (AGO) on Thursday, February 6th from 6-7pm.

You can register for the meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/…/register/Nc0TkUzpRluaIeJaqdlqsA. Translation services are available for Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Mandarin.

The Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL) is a widespread problem in which dishonest individuals falsely disguise themselves as licensed attorneys and charge immigrants hundreds and thousands of dollars for immigration services, forms, or unlicensed legal advice. In order to prevent UPIL, the AGO created an educational training that covers proper legal representation for immigrants, the difference between legal advice from an immigration attorney vs unlicensed legal advice, immigration attorney scams and how to detect them, what to do if you become a victim of an immigration lawyer scam, and resources for legal help. It’s hoped that this training can help immigrants and their families avoid becoming a victim of UPIL.

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbelll’s Office is an advocate and resource for the people of Massachusetts in many ways, including protecting consumers, combating fraud and corruption, investigating and prosecuting crime, and protecting the environment, workers, and civil rights. We’re so grateful to her and her office for making this information widely available to protect our immigrant neighbors and for her partnership.

If you have any questions, please email: mindy.domb@mahouse.gov

What's the Ringing in Your Ears? Tinnitus Explained.
2025-02-04 14:30 - 15:30
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.
