Please note COSA newsletters run biweekly in the summer months.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County's site-based Lunch Buddies programming meets once a week for 30 minutes during a child’s lunch time during the school year at Jackson Street School in Northampton on Tuesdays, at RK Finn Ryan Road School in Florence on Thursdays, and at Wildwood Elementary School in Amherst on Fridays. Volunteers are assigned to a child and have lunch with them on a weekly basis at school. Mentoring relationships built between Lunch Buddies foster the emotional growth and development of the participating children, providing a consistent friend and positive presence in their school day. To refer a young person or learn more about volunteering as a Big, contact us at bbbshc@chd.org.

Learn more about becoming a Lunch Buddy

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91 new affordable homes coming to 33 King Street

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Feed the Spirit brings our community together for an evening of gratitude and celebration, honoring the leaders who have guided the Amherst Survival Center to its current form and looking ahead to the future with the same spirit of warmth and optimism that has sustained ASC from the beginning. There will be delicious food, cocktails, and a Fund-a-Need Appeal – not to mention music, celebration, and community connection. Tickets are limited, so please get yours today!

Grab your tickets here

Share your input on winter shelter needs

Shared by Western Mass Network to End Homelessness: The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has issued this Request for Information from municipalities and homelessness service providers to "inform winter shelter planning, budget development, and the design of future procurements for winter emergency shelter capacity." EOHLC also states: "Municipalities and providers are encouraged to develop collaborative relationships where appropriate to support coordinated planning and strengthen preparedness for winter emergency shelter capacity. Respondents may answer any or all of the questions. Respond by August 31st!

Read the WMNEH blog post here

Tapestry Health announces leadership change

Since joining Tapestry in 2023, Mavis Nimoh has led the organization during a period of significant challenges and change across the healthcare and nonprofit sectors. The Board of Directors has now appointed Chief Operating Officer Damaris Jones as Interim CEO. Damaris Jones brings 15 years of experience at Tapestry and has served in numerous leadership roles across the organization, including Site Operations Manager, IT Support Specialist, Director of Program Development & Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and previously as Interim CEO.

View their website

Eversource awards UWFH $28,000

United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region (UWFH) announced today that Eversource Energy, a long-time supporter of United Way agencies across New England, is providing a $28,000 donation to support the United Way’s critical efforts to tackle the most pressing issues facing local families and individuals. This additional financial support will help allow UWFH to continue providing critical health, education and financial stability services directly to families in the area.

Read the press release

Growth & Investment in Volunteers

The Massachusetts Service Alliance is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Growth & Investment in Volunteers (GIV) Initiative, a funding and capacity-building opportunity designed to help organizations strengthen volunteer engagement and expand their impact. Read more to learn about this opportunity, including the grant funding, training and technical assistance, and how your organization can apply! Applications are due Friday, September 4th.

View their website

MassHire FY26 Employment Trends

In FY26, the Franklin Hampshire Workforce Development Area experienced a shifting labor market that showed signs of growth in some areas and decline in others. It faces a decreasing labor force and decline in total employment.

Read more here