The Early Childhood Educator Scholarship is financial assistance towards a college degree if you are currently working in a center-based, Family Child Care, after/out-of-school time or residential & placement program that is licensed or funded by EEC. Supported certificates and degrees include Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, Child Development, Family Studies, Child and Family Studies, Human Services, Psychology, Child Psychology, Child Care Administration, and Social Work.

Last week's favorite click

CES Transforming Education for Social Justice is coming on March 29th.

Got a minute? Join or renew with COSA online.

Join us for the November COSA members meeting to network with your colleagues, share announcements from your organization, and hear from our speakers panel on the topic of housing in Western Massachusetts. Our panelists will be Shaundell Diaz, Program Director at Three County Continuum of Care, Community Action; Jodi Smith, Senior Vice President of Housing Education at Way Finders, and Keleigh BenEzra, Director of Shelter and Housing at Clinical and Support Options.

Tuesday, November 12th from 10am-11:30am

Hadley Library - Address and information

Light refreshments will be available

Info

MSA Youth Career Pathways Initiative

The goal of the Youth Career Pathways Initiative (YCPI) is to strengthen and sustain the ability of organizations to support volunteer work that allow youth to develop meaningful and tangible work-related skills and/or explore a variety of work environments and career options. MSA awards matching grants of up to $20,000 for organizations to create, expand, and replicate promising models.

More info

18 Degrees Superhero Masquerade Party

Join 18 Degrees for their Superhero Masquerade party on October 26th. Dress as your favorite superhero and enjoy food, music, and the chance to win prizes if you're wearing one of the top 3 costumes. Plus guest star Bella Santeralla will be there as Poison Ivy! RSVP at info@18degreesma.org or call 413-448-8281.

Let's party!

Interest Free Student Loans are back!

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is pleased to announce the resumption of its student loan program, designed to support post-secondary education students needing financial assistance. After a temporary pause was initiated in July 2024 to assess the program’s impact on students, the Foundation has reinstated the program. Applications will be open Nov 1 - Nov 15.

Details and apply

Want some company during Hike for Hunger?

There's still some time to add a few more miles to your total as you Hike for Hunger and support the Amherst Survival Center. If you would like to have some company on a hike, you can participate in this great hike on the Robert Frost Trail on October 26th. Group hikes are completely optional (although they are pretty darn fun!). Take in the glorious fall foliage and help sustain a vital local pantry.

Info and register

Save the date for an amazing conference

Equity in the 413 - save the date

Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit is a convening to support relationship building across several industry areas. This call-to-action will help attendees from our region align our efforts to advance racial equity in the workplaces and organizations across western Massachusetts. Coming up on June 12, 2025!

More info