Bob Wojcik, a former lifer, has transformed his journey into a mission of giving back. Now dedicated to supporting returning citizens, he leverages his expertise in job development, placement, and case management to create meaningful opportunities for others. Bob collaborates with Holyoke Community College to provide Line Cook Training and with Greenfield Community College for Foundational Manufacturing Training, equipping individuals with the skills they need to rebuild their lives and thrive in the workforce. His lived experience and commitment to second chances make him a powerful advocate and mentor in the reentry community.

Special Guest Presenter:

Robert Wojcik

Career Navigator - Reentry

Community Action Pioneer Valley

Youth and Workforce Development Programs

Tuesday, March 11th

10am-11am on Zoom

Last week's favorite click

Northampton Recovery Center screens Dark Girls on February 26th!

Thank you to new and returning COSA members!

You are making us feel warm and cozy this winter.

State Representative

Mindy Domb

Trauma Institute &

Child Trauma Institute

UMass Amherst

Community Campaign

Do you need to join or renew with COSA? Click here.

Join the fourth Transforming Education for Social Justice conference for educators, students, and community members in Massachusetts. This year's conference will focus on Bridging and Belonging without Othering: Youth Civic Engagement. Ongoing tensions at the national and global levels have been accompanied by an increase in anxiety among young people. Locally, it's imperative to create a space for school community members to learn from, challenge, and support one another to navigate polarization and fragmentation in our communities and find paths forward through our anxieties. During this conference, presenters will frame and explore tensions across social differences and ideologies that are present in our schools as we seek to find ways for all students and staff to feel a sense of true belonging. The conference will focus on ways to find shared values and bridge across differences in order to make lasting change.

More info and registration

Get your tickets for Empty Bowls on April 5th

A cherished and impactful community fundraiser! Savor hot soups and goodies from local restaurants! Marvel at the selection of handcrafted bowls from local potters! Enjoy live music, a high-end raffle, and the company of celebrity hosts—all while supporting the Amherst Survival Center's Food and Nutrition programs, which provided 1.6 million meals to more than 11,500 people last year! Every purchase fills empty bowls in our community.

Tickets!

Three County CoC Climate Survey is open

The Three County Continuum of Care (CoC) is dedicated to ending homelessness, but they are also dedicated to improving the lives of all those working in the homelessness response system. This Climate Survey was designed to collect information on the experiences and ideas of staff, especially staff working within CoC-funded projects, in order to understand what changes are needed and how the CoC can be most helpful.

Take the survey today

One portal for 12 economic development grants

The Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Executive Office of Economic Development, and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities are thrilled to announce the launch of the FY26 application for the Community One Stop for Growth, an application portal overseen by EOED that provides a streamlined process for municipalities and organizations to apply for 12 state economic development grant programs. Check it out!

Info is here on Mass.gov

Cooley awards $100,000 for youth mental health

Cooley Dickinson Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, is proud to announce the award of $100,000 in Community Health Impact Funds to Safe Passage. The funds will support the community-driven priority of youth mental health through Safe Passage’s innovative “Youth Engaged and Prevention of Domestic Violence” proposal.

Survey from the Nonprofit Finance Fund

There has never been a more critical time to share what’s going on for nonprofits. Make your voice heard through Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF)’s 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey. NFF’s survey will gather data about timely social sector issues such as federal funding, workforce and staffing, and the implications of political events, the importance of racial equity in nonprofit finance, and topics relevant to creating community wealth and well-being.

Take the survey