New from Cooley Dickinson Hospital: Through their 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, they prioritized youth mental health and wellbeing as an area that needs more support. This grant opportunity supports multiple projects aimed at supporting youth wellbeing. Projects that propose to address racial trauma, intergenerational trauma, and the impacts of systemic racism in ways that center the voices of BIPOC Amherst youth* will be prioritized. Projects that focus on other communities of concern such as LGBTQ+, or youth with disabilities will also be considered. Read the full description HERE. Questions due by Aug 14, applications due by Sep 8.

Last week's favorite click

SPIFFY Funding Opportunity

Check the flyer, info slide deck, and RFP.

ServiceNet was recently named the on-site provider for 41 families from across the Commonwealth who are receiving emergency shelter at the Days Inn in Greenfield. These families are housed at the hotel due to a “critical shortage of affordable housing in the state." Many of the families are Haitian immigrants from the Boston area, while others are international refugees from other countries and families escaping domestic violence. ServiceNet’s role as on-site provider is to assure the safety and privacy of these families and provide case management services, with primary focus on getting people re-housed. Read more HERE.

On June 29, Mass Housing and the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an initiative that provides grants to community-based organizations to build affordable homes. As one of the recipients of the grant, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity will build six all-electric, energy efficient detached single-family homes on a former blighted parking lot near the center of Montague. Read MORE.

Food Bank Previews

New Logo Design

Since 1992, the Food Bank's logo has displayed a truck, symbolizing their dedicated efforts to deliver nutritious food across Western Massachusetts. Since then, the Food Bank's mission and vision have evolved, combining delivery of nutritious food with systemic solutions to the underlying causes of hunger. The rebrand will roll out incrementally starting this summer.

The Literacy Project Welcomes

New Executive Director!

The Literacy Project has announced the Colleen Kucinski will be the next Executive Director. Colleen brings more than 25 years of experience to her role. She worked for 18 years at Greenfield Community College, where she served in a variety of leadership roles. For the past 8 years, Colleen has worked at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Read MORE.

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is excited to announce a new partnership with the Hampden County Bar Association to provide local nonprofit partners with free legal advice through its "Lawyer for a Day" program. Volunteer attorneys can help with brief out-of-court structural issues such as: Obtaining a 501(c) tax exemption letter or getting your status reinstated, reviewing the requirements to register an organization, creating a successful governance structure, understanding the liability of directors and officers, exploring the tax implications of grants. To get started, visit https://bit.ly/46uZz7i. You will be referred to an attorney who can either meet with you on Zoom or in-person. INFO

July 06: Join the Federation for Children with Special Needs on Facebook Live for Thriving Thursdays! Tune in this Thursday at 2 PM for an afternoon of connectivity, open conversation, and more to ensure that all families and children in the disability community are Thriving! INFO

For 10 months each academic year, DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps members support local youth at schools and local agencies through mentoring, creative activities, experiential learning and positive youth development to create spaces where youth can develop meaningful goals, drive their own solutions, make decisions, fail, learn and grow. AmeriCorps members use a collaborative, student-centered approach to support young people’s autonomy, belonging and personal learning aspirations. INFO is HERE.