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In this presentation we will consider the skill of storytelling and how this practice helps Indigenous People move towards health and wellness.


Speaker: José Lugo is a community educator who has served as the Native Education Liaison for Collaborative for Educational Services. He is a detribalized Chicano Macewalli who uses storytelling to reconnect with his Indigenous cultural practices. Through this skill development, José works to heal from the impacts of colonization. 


Tuesday, May 13, 2025

10am-11:30am

Hadley Public Library

Light refreshments will be available.

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Last week's favorite click

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity - Feast for Habitat on Wednesday, May 21st!

Thank you and welcome back!

Returning members sustain COSA's work year after year.

Behavioral Health Network

Collaborative for Educational Services

Join or renew today!

Amherst CDBG Public Hearing on May 8th


The Amherst CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss and vote on the re-allocation of funds from the 2022/23 grant. These funds can only be used for a non-social service project. Non-social services include infrastructure, buildings, housing rehabilitation, and small business assistance. 

Read more

SPIFFY Family Chat focuses on alcohol/cannabis


SPIFFY has announced their second Family Chat & Share event. This will focus on how to build positive relationships that help promote healthy choices around alcohol and cannabis use. Families can learn tips and tools to help facilitate communication about substance use and healthy decision making. There will be information about the effects of alcohol and marijuana on the developing brain and how to combat marketing and the pressures young people face in today's world.

Register in advance & receive a special gift

Applications are open for Greenfield 2-BR home


Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is now accepting applications for a 2-bedroom home in Greenfield. This new build will feature a thoughtful, accessible design to ensure that everyone—regardless of ability—can comfortably and safely call it home. There will be one online information session on May 4th.

Register for May 4th information session

Forbes Library is seeking trustees


The Board of Trustees is the governing body for Forbes Library. The Trustees are responsible for the hiring and evaluation of the director and the oversight of the library budget and policies. These important roles are filled by seven people, elected by the residents of Northampton in the general election. “We seek to have a board that reflects the diversity of the community and who brings their professional expertise and personal experiences to the table,” said Lisa Downing, Library Director.

Learn about being a trustee

MSA is looking for board members


The MSA is a nonprofit that expands volunteerism and service in our state. MSA provides funding, training, and support to individuals and organizations, enabling them to tackle pressing issues, strenghten communities, and make our communities a better place to live. If you are interested in joining, you must file your application by May 16th.

Read all about it

New jobs in the Valley

Behavioral Health Network

Community-Based Domestic Violence Advocate – Ware, MA 

Domestic Violence Advocacy Intern – Ware, MA

Domestic Violence Services Intern – Ware, Springfield, or Athol, MA


Community Action Pioneer Valley

Head Start Lead Teacher (Infant Toddler) Amherst - $5,000 bonus

Head Start Lead Teacher (Infant Toddler ) Northampton - $5,000 bonus

Head Start Teacher (Infant Toddler ) Northampton - $5,000 bonus

Head Start Teacher (Preschool) Northampton - $5,000 bonus


Way Finders

Resident Services Coordinator (Bilingual; Springfield and Agawam)

What we are reading this week

Food Bank News: Proposed SNAP cuts would harm children and the economy

Pew Research Center: The Gender Gap in teen experiences

CBS News: MA patients needing financial assistance said nonprofit hospitals didn't help

RAPID Survey: Caregivers of young children report difficulty accessing essential foods

KFF Health News: 10 things to know about rural hospitals


Events and webinars

APRIL

Apr 30: Brazelton Touchpoints Learning to Listen to Transgender Children

 

MAY

May 01: Annual Institute for Trustees (hybrid in-person and online)

May 02: Trauma Informed Hampshire County Resilience Roadshow

May 02: Brazelton Touchpoints Turtle Talk: Collectively Raising Indige-Babies

May 04-06: National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

May 05: Mass Nonprofit Network Federal Impacts Survey Results

May 05: Brazelton Touchpoints: Navigating School as an LGBTQ+ Family

May 06: BPC Advancing Youth Mental Health: Perspectives from Youth and Families

May 07: Human Service Forum Supervisory Skills Series begins

May 07: PV Habitat for Humanity New Volunteer Orientation

May 07: Greater Northampton Chamber Arrive@5

May 07: Mass Fair Housing Center: Northampton's History of Housing Discrimination

May 08: Amherst CDBG Public Hearing

May 08: Trauma Informed Hampshire County Monthly Meeting

May 11: Cancer Connection Mother's Day Half Marathon

May 13: COSA Meets! Storytelling for Wellbeing at Hadley Public Library

May 13: Older Adult Behavioral Health Network Aging at Home

May 14: Mass Fair Housing Center: Know Your Rights Training

May 14: SPIFFY Family Chat & Share - topic is youth alcohol & cannabis use

May 15: Human Service Forum Monthly IT Roundtable (for member organizations)

May 15: Children's Advocacy Center Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Training

May 19: Brazelton Touchpoints: Protecting Your LGBTQ+ Family

May 17: Friends of Children "Fore the Children" Golf Event

May 20 & 21: Fair Housing & Civil Rights Conference at Western New England Uni

May 21: CSO 23rd Annual Mental Health & Wellness Fair in Greenfield

May 21: 20th Annual Northampton Health & Safety Fair at Senior Center

May 21: Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Feast for Habitat

May 22: Community Legal Aid: Services & Information Overview

May 29: Community Legal Aid Information Session: CORI & Reentry Project

May 30: Parent/Professional Advocacy League Children's Mental Health Conference


LOOKING AHEAD

Jun 04: SPIFFY Coalition Meeting at Nonotuck Park in Easthampton

Jun 06: Massachusetts Public Health Alliance Spring Awards Breakfast

Jun 07: The United Arc Flutie 5k

Jun 09: Brazelton Touchpoints: Advocacy 101 for Your LGBTQ+ Family

Jun 09: Three County Continuum of Care Stronger Together: Community Forum

Jun 10: Greater Northampton Chamber Annual Meeting

Jun 11: Health Equity Compact Health Equity Trends Summit in Boston

Jun 12: Equity in the 413 

Jun 14: Cancer Connection Bikes Fight Cancer Ride

Jun 23: Brazelton Touchpoints: The Art of Social Media and LGBTQ+ Families

Aug 09: DIAL/SELF Bridge of Flowers Classic 8K and 3K

COSA Meeting Calendar

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