Apologies and update: COSA is canceling today's presentation.

COSA will return with a special in-person event on Tuesday, October 20th at 10am-11:30am in Hadley!

On your left! Coming up on September 20th, Will Bike 4 Food for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts returns for its 16th year and brings together cyclists of all levels and ages to pedal toward a hunger-free future on scenic routes through the Connecticut River Valley. Ride and fundraise individually or with a team of friends, family, or coworkers! WB4F is one of the Food Bank's biggest events of the year, and funds raised support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to provide nutritious food to those who need it without barrier or stigma. Rates of food insecurity in Western Mass are higher than ever -- 50% of households are struggling to afford food. No one should be left wondering if they can afford their next meal, and your fundraising helps communities across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.

Ride, root for your favorites, pledge info here

Last week's favorite click

Grab your tickets to the United Way Campaign Kick-Off Oct 8th

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Senator Jo Comerford: Democracy Works

People power drives and undergirds effective government!

State Senator Jo Comerford will offer a legislative advocacy 101 talk/training about how engage with state government in the service of issues that matter. She will share examples of strategic advocacy on issues like arts, education, and civil liberties, while also zooming out to discuss organizing for regional equity. The evening will allow robust time for questions, discussion, feedback. Free event at Bombyx on Wednesday, September 16th!

Free Bombyx event - please register

Support for home visiting programs

Register now for a free Brazelton Touchpoints Center webinar on Wednesday, September 16th to learn about the Administration for Children and Families’ Family Engagement Toolkit, designed to boost families’ awareness of your program and increase participation in your home visiting services. Early childhood home visiting supports positive outcomes for children and families, but engaging eligible families in services can be challenging. This Family Engagement Toolkit offers flexible, evidence-based resources and practical strategies to strengthen home visiting programs’ outreach and retention efforts.

United Way receives Healthy Aging funds

United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region announced that it has been selected as a 2026 awardee of the Massachusetts Community Health & Healthy Aging Funds. UWFH will receive $472,845 over five years to strengthen and expand its Franklin County Healthy Aging Digital Equity Program. The work will focus on older adults and caregivers across Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, a rural area where nearly three in ten residents are age 60 or older. And it will contribute to broader efforts to address the root causes of health inequities through lasting policy, systems, and environmental change.

Read the press release

MassBudget event on revenue solutions

With the federal administration slashing funding for state-administered safety net programs, Massachusetts is expected to lose billions of dollars over the coming few years for programs like SNAP and MassHealth, harming hundreds of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. Join MassBudget’s PolicyTALKS on September 22nd for a conversation about the looming fiscal challenges Massachusetts faces and what can be learned from other states that are addressing similar challenges. We will also share research on more than two dozen options for progressive revnue solutions.