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Hello human services professionals! You're invited to the COSA Providers Fair, a wonderful chance to connect with colleagues and learn about the amazing work happening throughout Hampshire County. This is a relaxed tabling event where you can network, share information about your programs, and discover valuable resources from other agencies. Let's come together to discuss current services and initiatives and strengthen our community partnerships.


Register for a table today! Tables are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-members pay a $30 fee, but for COSA members, it's completely free. Light refreshments will be available.


Don't need a table? Come on down! We'd love to see you. No fees. No registration.


Tuesday, October 21, 2025

10am-11:30am (Setup for tabling begins at 9:30am!)

DMH-Haskell Building, 1 Prince Street, Northampton

Directions and Parking Information

Frequently Asked Questions about the Fair

Register for a table!

Last week's favorite click

Northwestern District Attorney's Safe and Healthy School Summit - Oct 8th

Mapping diaper insecurity in the US


With the rising cost of living, many families with young children in the US are struggling to afford basic necessities, like diapers. This often forces caregivers to make trade-offs that can negatively affect both their and their children’s health and well-being. According to the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) Diaper Check 2024, about half (46 percent) of families with children ages 3 and younger struggle to afford diapers (PDF). About 60 percent of low income families said they couldn’t purchase enough diapers to keep their children healthy and dry.

The Literacy Project presents The Belle of Amherst


The Literacy Project presents The Belle of Amherst, a one-woman show starring Louise Krieger that brings the wit and words of Emily Dickinson to life. When you purchase a ticket, you’re not just enjoying an unforgettable performance; you’re also supporting The Literacy Project's free adult education programs across Western Massachusetts. Every seat filled helps to keep classes accessible for students in local communities.

Hike for Hunger registration is open!


This October marks the 6th annual Hike for Hunger, and the Amherst Survival Center is thrilled to once again invite our community to raise $35,000 for Food & Nutrition Programs. Every year, the generosity shown during this event has been nothing short of inspiring—and this year, with increasing need and cuts to federal food supports, your participation is more vital than ever. Together, we can Give Hunger the Boot! 

Northampton housing forum on Sep 24th


Want to learn more about affordable housing in Northampton? Join Valley Community Development's Director of Real Estate Jessica Allan, Aelan Tierney of Kuhn Riddle Architects, and Jeff Spiritos of Spritios Properties for a lively conversation. Panelists will discuss data, statewide initiatives, and current trends. They will examine what these challenges mean for affordability in Northampton.

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413Cares resources page for immigrants


413Cares maintains a page featuring a variety of resources for immigrants in western Mass including links to services related to legal issues, housing, food, healthcare, family support, and education and work. The links include FAQs about ICE encounters, the LUCE Defense Hotline, and many key areas of need.

New jobs in the Valley

Massachusetts Public Health Alliance

Director of Campaigns


Community Action Pioneer Valley

VITA Coordinator (seasonal)


Way Finders

Case Manager (Bilingual)

Employment Specialist (Bilingual)

What we are reading this week

AP News Poll: Most Americans think individual choices keep people in poverty

Candid: Culturally responsive mental health services aid youth, report finds

Child Trends: Interactive state data on Child Welfare in the US

MA.gov: Gov. Healey announces immediate steps to ensure vaccine availability

MassLive: Hiring surge at BHN to address mental health care 'crisis'

Events and webinars

SEPTEMBER

Sep 23: SADOD Direct Service Provider Training: Good Grief - Tools for the Workday

Sep 24: 20th Annual Women in Business Summit

Sep 24: Northampton Housing Public Forum (hybrid event)

Sep 25: Community Action Pioneer Valley celebrates Clare Higgins

Sep 25: Three County CoC Effective Staff Management in Homeless Services Sector

Sep 25: The Opportunity Agenda Future Over Fear: Tools to build a new story

Sep 26: Northampton Division of Community Care Two-Year Anniversary save the date!

Sep 26: PHIWM Vaping & Nicotine Pouches: Understanding the New Landscape

Sep 27: The Truth School Non-Violent Direct Action

Sep 27: Good Neighbor Lawn Party at Forbes Library

Sep 28: Tapestry Walk for Every Body in Northampton

Sep 29: Brazelton Touchpoints Center Parenting While Rising to Development Challenges

Sep 30: Human Service Forum Breakfast: Banking in the Non Profit Sector

Sep 30: SADOD Direct Service Provider Training: Harm Reduction Yourself

Sep 30: PV Habitat for Humanity Northampton 1-bdrm Home Info Session (online)


LOOKING AHEAD

Oct 01-31: Amherst Survival Center Hike for Hunger

Oct 01: MassBudget Focus2025 - MassBudget's first policy conference

Oct 01: Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Training

Oct 01: Mass DPH Public Health Approach to Problem Gambling Prevention

Oct 02: Three County CoC Targeted Universalism course begins

Oct 04: Hilltown Community Health Center 75th Anniversary Celebration - save the date!

Oct 05: Friends of Forbes Artisans Fair

Oct 05: Trauma Informed Hampshire County Network Meeting

Oct 06: Providers' Council 50th Annual Convention

Oct 08: Northwestern District Attorney's Safe & Healthy School Summit @GCC

Oct 09: United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region Kick-Off Breakfast

Oct 16: LGBTQIA+ Inclusive & Affirming Housing Program Training (virtual)

Oct 16: The Truth School Community Care: Needed Now More Than Ever

Oct 16: PV Habitat for Humanity Northampton 1-bdrm Home Info Session (online)

Oct 16: Cancer Connection Harvest Dinner

Oct 17 & 18: The Literacy Project presents The Belle of Amherst

Oct 18: LifePath Walkathon - register today!

Oct 18: The Truth School Following in Sojourner Truth's Footsteps

Oct 18: Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Training

Oct 20: The Truth School The Medicine Wheel

Oct 21-23: US Conference on Poverty and Basic Needs (Las Vegas)

Oct 21: COSA Providers Fair & Annual Meeting 10am-11:30am

Oct 22: Mass Nonprofit Network Annual Conference

Oct 28: UMass SPH Impact of Medicaid Cuts in Western Mass - save the date

Oct 30: Three County CoC Engaging Individuals Reluctant to Housing

Nov 12: 2025 Massachusetts Health Care Summit @UMass Amherst

Nov 14: The Alliance to End Hunger 2025 Virtual Summit

Nov 16: Friends of Children Artisan Market at Look Park

Nov 19: Massachusetts Public Health Alliance Annual Conference & Meeting

Nov 20: Three County CoC Navigating the New Federal Environment

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