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Community Action's 8th Annual Conference on Civic Engagement & Social Change
Friday, November 20, 2009
UMass Amherst Campus Center
8:00am - 12:00pm
This year's conference considers the role of activism in a democracy and in our lives. How can we support those we serve and with whom we share community in embracing civic engagement as a means of social change?
We see this year's conference as a chance to pause and reflect on what it is we need, as professionals and citizens, to continue our work of fostering equality and justice. In a time when fiscal resources are at an all-time low, we are pleased to offer an opportunity for our community to both identify the resources we still have and marshal those resources as forces for change.
Click here for the full brochure with registration information and a schedule of events.
A group for grandmothers
May, 2009
Staff Writer • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
Ann Marie Meltzer says that when a grandmother first holds a grandchild, "you know that you're going to live forever. That's what I felt." As magical and mystical as that moment might be, Meltzer, 69, a grandmother of seven, says grandparenting can also present plenty of quandries...keep reading.
Early Education commissioner makes stop at Greenfield center
April, 2009
By Mackenzie Issler, Recorder Staff • The Recorder
Loni Zdanowicz brought her 19-mont-old grandson Tyler to the Family Center Tuesday and got a chance to talk to the state's top preschool official...keep reading.
Responding to basic need: Food, community and Center for Self Reliance
April, 2009
By Eve Brown-Waite, My Turn Editorial • The Recorder
Some people know me as a writer; some people are used to seeing me at peace rallies and vigils; lots of people still remember me as the former director of religious education at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. But few people know what I consider to be one of my most important and rewarding roles: I am a volunteer at the Center for Self Reliance...keep reading.
Young people shine at community supper
April, 2009
Recorder staff • The Recorder
The highlight of a community supper and celebration of the Gill-Montague Community School Partnership last week was the awarding of youth and special community service awards...keep reading.
Agencies to get more money for food, supplies
April, 2009
Recorder Staff • The Recorder
Several local social service agencies will be getting extra money to provide for emergency food, shelter and supportive services to people and families in Franklin County...keep reading.
Food pantry expands hours to meet demand: Center for Self Reliance to stay open later to better serve families
March, 2009
Recorder staff • The Recorder
The Center for Self Reliance Food Pantry will expand its hours to be more accessible to working families in Franklin County who need food on their tables, Coordinator Dino Schnelle announced Wednesday...keep reading.
$20M for region gets House OK: Senate is next stop for local funding
March, 2009
By Dan Crowley, Staff writer • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved nearly $20 million for projects in central and western Massachusetts, from transportation and environmental initiatives to investments in the sciences and clean energy...keep reading.
House cares for WMass: The bill includes funding for everything from transportation and health care to human services and research.
March, 2009
By Holly Angelo • The Republican
A $410 billion appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week includes millions of dollars for projects in Western Massachusetts...keep reading.
Police work drives this teen: Once homeless, unique internship has her on new path
March, 2009
By Mackenzie Issler, Recorder staff • The Recorder
Most people who get to ride along in a police car with an officer aren't happy to be there. But, for 18-year-old Chelsea Brown, it has given her a glimpse into the world that she wants to work in one day...keep reading.
Community Action gives honors
February, 2009
Shelburne Falls & West County Independent
Community Action will honor Metaphor Yarns in Shelburne and owner Meta Nesbit and the town of Conway at its annual meeting and luncheon Friday, Feb. 6. Both the town and Metaphor will be among those receiving community service awards...keep reading.
Fuel aid drive heats up, raises $40,000: GCC club's two-day event one of many honored by Community Action
February, 2009
By Mackenzie Issler, Recorder staff • The Recorder
Greenfield Community Colege's Human Service Club hosted a two-day fuel drive on campus to spread awareness and raise money to help people stay warm. All the proceeds of the fundraiser were donated to Community Action's 'Heat Up!' campaign...keep reading.
Women, bank to help needy
February, 2009
By Cori Urban • The Recorder
Women's Way and Greenfield Savings Bank are hoping to provide "Supper for Six." Four hundred times...keep reading.
Child grants total $547,800
February, 2009
By Jack Flynn • The Republican
Eleven area agencies will share $547,800 in grants from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts to help impoverished families with young children...keep reading.
92% of liquor sellers pass local compliance sting: Coalition against teen drinking reports success
January, 2009
By Mackenzie Issler, Recorder Staff • The Recorder
The vast majority of Franklin County liquor sellers carded underage buyers during compliance checks in the past year. As part of its mission to reduce teen drinking and drug use, the Communities That Care Coalition conducted the alcohol compliance checks and related surveys...keep reading.
Plenty of irony here: When considering our economic plight...
January, 2009
By Mary McEneany, My Turn Column • The Recorder
I freely admit it, I am a big fan of irony. I also enjoy sarcasm and caustic wit. Odd, I know, but true. So you can imagine the field day I am having reading the newspaper each day and watching the government at work trying to address the problems of the day...keep reading.
Fuel aid program sees delayed response: Cite record number of applicants seeking help to keep warm
January, 2009
By Chad Cain, staff writer • The Daily Hampshire Gazette • The Recorder
When Jill Scott applied for winter fuel assistance last September, she knew it might take a few months to hear back from officials who run the program for Hampshire and Franklin counties. But now that it's five months and several cold snaps later...keep reading.
A Cold Reality
December, 2008
Editorial Commentary • The Recorder
The blast of cold air last week should have done more than send chills up your back. In serving notice that winter is setting up shop, the frigid temps should stir thoughts about those less fortunate. This is obviously the time of year where people from all walks of life have trouble...keep reading.
More may qualify for fuel assistance: State raises income eligibility limits
November, 2008
by Mackenzie Issler, Recorder staff • The Recorder
With winter and the heating season looming, the state has announced some good news - it has opened the state fuel aid program to more residents by raising the income eligibility requirements...keep reading.
Eligibility broadens for fuel aid
November, 2008
by Larry Parnass, staff writer • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
The door to winter fuel assistance swings wider than ever this year. As many as 55,000 more Massachusetts families will qualify for financial help with heating billls this winter, nearly 40 percent more than last year, thanks to a drive to widen eligibility...keep reading.
Expansion of fuel aid welcomed
November, 2008
by Holly Angelo • The Republican
Service agencies that provide fuel aid to low-income people in Western Massachuestts are lauding the news that income-eleigibility guidelines have been expanded and more federal fuel aid is available this winter heating season...keep reading.
Community Action launches 'Heat Up!' drive
November, 2008
by MacKenzie Issler, staff writer • The Recorder • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
This year, more people than ever will be unable to afford heat and electricity, according to anti-poverty agency Community Action. So, Community Action is trying to give area residents a little more money to help ends meet...keep reading.
Area charities give dinners, food baskets for holiday
November, 2008
by Mackenzie Issler, Recorder staff • The Recorder
Jim Bunk will be making his Thanksgiving meal with his roommates, and he picked up all the ingredients needed for the holiday feast on Tuesday afternoon at the Franklin Area Survival Center...keep reading.
Low-wage earners face perils of 'the cliff': Report highlights abrupt loss of government aid as incomes creep up
November 15, 2008
by Jessica Collier, Gazette Contributing Writer • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
Raising an 11-year-old son while getting her bachelor's degree at Springfield College, Taree King found that as she advanced up pay scales, she was actually falling behind. As her salary crept up, her public assistance was cut even faster...keep reading.
Budget cuts trim services, jobs at antipoverty agency
November, 2008
by Mackenzie Issler, staff writer • The Recorder • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
Like several other local social service agencies, Community Action has had to trim services and leave vacancies unfilled as a result of the governor's recession-induced budget cuts...keep reading.
A new chapter in the life of a child
Friday, October 24, 2008
by Jane Sanders, Guest Column • The Daily Hampshire Gazette
This Saturday, it's time again for "Make a Difference Day." This is a day when more than a million people across the country will participate in projects that help their neighbors and change their communities...keep reading.
Books make a difference: Take part in Saturday's effort for children
Thursday, October 23, 2008
by Jane Sanders, My Turn • The Recorder
This Saturday, it's time again for Make A Difference Day! This is a day when more than one million people across the country will participate in projects that help their neighbors and change their communities...keep reading.
Grads cherish their achievement
Saturday, October 18, 2008
by Mackenzie Issler, Recorder Staff • The Recorder
Mark Dimond was in a car accident three years ago that almost killed him. The now 21-year-old was in a coma for two weeks with a traumatic brain injury and the whole left side of his body was paralyzed...keep reading.
38 win GEDs in college rite
Friday, October 17, 2008
by Cori Urban • The Republican
Thirty-eight students received general education development certificates from Mayor Christine Forgey at Greenfield Community College on Thursday. "I can't think of anything that empowers us more than our ability to learn," GCC President Robert L. Pura told...keep reading.
Local cuts hit home: State budget shortfall forces immediate response
Friday, October 17, 2008
by Mackenzie Issler, Recorder Staff • The Recorder
Greenfield Community College will have to cut $461,082 from its $9.2 million state budget because of the governor's belt tightening announced this week. The announcement was just one of the local reactions to the list of cuts distributed by Gov. Deval Patrick...keep reading.
Cold Comfort: Finding ways to chop the heating bill
Friday, October 10, 2008
by Steve Pfarrer, Hampshire Life • Daily Hampshire Gazette
Ah, New England in the fall. Football games and apple cider, pumpkins and gourds on display, brilliant foliage across the hills - and fear of what the oncoming winter will mean for heating bills...keep reading.
Community Action Launches Heat Up! in Hampshire County
Press Release; October 2008
Skyrocketing fuel prices are already affecting many people throughout Hampshire County. As the region's fuel assistance and weatherization provider, Community Action knows that those who qualify for assistance will not get enough support to even pay for one tank of oil this winter. To respond to this pressing community crisis, Community Action is launching the Heat Up! campaign to raise funds to help local families get through this winter warm, safe, and fed...keep reading.
* For more information about Heat Up! and how you can get involved, click here!
Please help...WARM THE CHILDREN
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Community Request • The Recorder
From a modest beginning, raising a few thousand dollars, The Recorder's Warm The Children drive has grown enormously over the past decades. The Recorder now provides new coats and other warm clothing to more than 1,000 children from Franklin County and the North Quabbin region every year and raises close to $100,000 to cover the cost....keep reading.
Rally for taxes: Speakers oppose abolition of state income taxes
Friday, September 26, 2008
by Anita Fritz, Recorder Staff • The Recorder
If voters across the state decide in November to do away with the state's personal income tax by 2010, it will mean a $6 million loss in state funding to Greenfield, according to the mayor...keep reading.
Early rush seen for winter fuel aid
Thursday, September 25, 2008
by Diane Broncaccio, Gazette Contributing Writer • Daily Hampshire Gazette
Anyone seeking fuel assistance for the coming winter in the region should prepare to pay at least the minimum fuel order because of unprecedented demand this year, says John Henry, fuel assistance director for LIHEAP in Franklin and Hampshire Counties...keep reading.
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