COSA Meeting 

Oct. 23

The Gender Spectrum

*Note Change of Date*

Please join us in welcoming Genny Beemyn from the Stonewall Center at UMass.  Genny will be discussing the gender spectrum, obstacles to respectful care, and resources available to the LGBTQIA+ community.  As providers, we have to learn how to deliver our services to this community in the most dignified and respectful way that honors ones gender expression and provides care in a safe and supportive environment.  Coming to this meeting is a great step!

For almost 30 years, the Stonewall Center has served the campus, the other Five Colleges, and the surrounding community by providing cultural and educational programming; LGBTQIA  ally training  sessions; a  Speakers Bureau  on LGBTQIA and ally issues; a DVD, video, and book  library ; information and referrals; support for individuals who experience harassment and discrimination; advocacy for LGBTQIA students at UMass Amherst; and community outreach through  Queer-e , our weekly listserv of LGBTQIA and Allies Five-College and local events.

We will also introduce a discussion to be held at our November meeting.  What is COSA's role in state policymaking? Let's take a first look at the question together in preparation for a fuller discussion.

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WRITING WORKSHOP

How has opioid use or overdose  impacted your life?

We are looking for people to share their story. Are you:
* Currently using opioids
* Exploring or in recovery from opioid use
* On Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
* A family member or friend with someone using opioids or in recovery?
No writing experience is necessary, just a willingness to show up, put pen to paper and let your voice out. We will provide a judgment-free zone, a supportive writing space and prompts offered by group facilitators designed to help you express yourself.

Two Four Session Groups:

BELCHERTOWN:  6-8pm  10/29, 11/5, 11/12 & 11/19

NORTHAMPTON:  5-7pm  10/30, 11/6, 11/13 & 11/20

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Community Action Pioneer Valley Board of Directors is made up of 18 individuals from the Franklin and Hampshire Counties and the following towns in the North Quabbin Region; Orange, Erving, New Salem, Warwick and Wendell. Six of these are private individuals, six are appointed by local reps and six nominated then elected to the board.

 

Every three years our local communities elect these 6 Community Representatives to Community Action's Board of Directors. These nominees are generated by YOU! You know best, potential participants or their family members, who are interested in becoming further involved in their community and actively participating in making change. These representatives are those living or having lived below the poverty level, at some point in their lives. We are looking for viable nominations including our current and highly dedicated Community Representatives.

 

Community Representative Candidate Nomination Forms must be completed via the community action website no later than October 26th.   The election ballots for each county with the corresponding nominations will be mailed to 1000 Franklin County and 1000 Hampshire County CA participants on October 27, 2018.

 

The elections will be held Wednesday November 5th via the Community Action Website, and ballot boxes/ envelopes will be set up in each of the CAPV main buildings in which participants walk in/come in for services.   Nominees can apply here . 

 

Questions?  Contact Jane Lynch at  [email protected]

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A night of dancing and celebration to support enrichment programs for people with intellectual disabilities! Join Pathlight dancers and their dance partners in the ballroom at the Sheraton Springfield on November 17.   In addition to some joyous dance  performances, we'll have food, drinks, and awards. We'll end the night with a bit of a dance party for all!

Click here for tickets and information

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Autumn Potluck and Halloween Swap

The Bridge Family Resources 

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Gazebo Donating to

Cancer Connection

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Submit Your Comment to Oppose Public Charge Rule

The Trump Administration's proposed public charge rule has been published in the Federal Register.  The deeply flawed rule unravels longstanding, sound public policy that draws a clear line between the nutrition, health, housing and other public benefits that may be used without causing public charge consequences, and those that may not. This rule dramatically expands the list of programs that could trigger a public charge determination with adverse immigration consequences. Read our statement and  f actsheet .

We urge the public to join us in denouncing this mean-spirited proposed rule that will undermine decades of progress in reducing hunger in this country. The rule will increase poverty, harm health and learning, and weaken our communities. As the nutrition lead on the  Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign Steering Committee, FRAC has launched a platform for the public to weigh in on how this rule will make hunger and poverty in this country far worse. Deadline to submit comments is on or before December 10, 2018.

  Submit Your Comment Today.

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