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!

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

10am-11am on Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88206147314?pwd=ANgvVzyxoXQlRxcQBzuWa2baQcZaBD.1

Meeting ID: 882 0614 7314

Passcode: 698491

Last week's favorite click

Northampton CDBG Focus Groups in person and online.

Thank you to new and returning COSA members!

You make 2025 a very happy new year.

Amherst Community Land Trust

Office of the Northwestern District Attorney

The Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership

Forbes Library

Jo Landers, Inc.

Renew your COSA membership today!

CLICK HERE to join or renew with COSA

MA Housing Plan: 222,000 more homes by 2035

The Healey-Driscoll Administration yesterday released A Home For Everyone: Massachusetts’ Statewide Housing Plan, the “first comprehensive statewide housing plan to increase housing production, meet the unique needs of communities and lower costs across the state.” According to its press release: “The state needs to increase its year-round housing supply by at least 222,000 units by 2035... Every region of the state needs more homes.”

More info from Western MA Network to End Homelessness

HSF Workshop: Ethical Uses of AI on Feb 26th

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere—from web searches to auto-correct to emails—and its influence is only growing. But with this rise in AI use, one big question remains: What’s the ethical way to use it?

Details and register

Support for Grieving Children and Teens

Know a grieving child or family? The Garden gives youth, ages 5-18, and their adult caregivers, a safe place to share and connect with others who are also grieving. This program created by Cooley Dickinson supports the whole family and meets in person. The Spring series begins on March 2nd.

See the flyer here for more details

Messaging to encourage investment in youth

Are you frustrated by the negative narratives about young people? Thriving Youth: Messaging Strategies to Encourage a Brighter Future for Young People, an upcoming webinar hosted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, offers guidance on how to leverage data and messaging to compose positive, asset-framed narratives about young people.

Pathlight-ServiceNet merger is official Feb 1st

In February 2025, Pathlight merges with ServiceNet, uniting with a bold vision to create a stronger, more dynamic organization dedicated to serving individuals and families across western Massachusetts. By combining decades of innovation and expertise, this merger aims to expand the programming reach, deepen shared impact, and enhance the ways they serve local communities.

Read the update here