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COMMUNITY ACTION PIONEER VALLEY
COVID-19 PROGRAMMING UPDATES
As your Community Action agency, we work to create access and opportunity for our most vulnerable residents, and build communities in which all people have the opportunity to thrive.
Now, just as we have for the last 55 years, we will uphold that commitment to our community. We recognize that COVID-19 will likely have the hardest impact on those we serve, and are creating flexible service delivery plans, informed by best practice recommendations from the CDC, World Health Organization, and Department of Public Health, to protect the safety of our participants and our 350 employees while continuing to provide critical services in the most effective and socially-conscious means possible.
ACCESS
Community Action is operating to fullest extent possible without compromising the health and safety of our staff and our participants. Here are the latest program updates as of this morning (these are subject to change based on federal and state guidance and requirements):
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & ADVOCACY: Our Community Resources & Advocacy staff work with households in need to access financial assistance that may be available to prevent homelessness for help with rent arrears or move-in assistance. We can assist households throughout our service area of Franklin and Hampshire counties and the North Quabbin. For more information, please contact us. 413-475-1570
HEAD START & EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS:
All programs are now open and offering full services. Please contact our enrollment office at 413-475-1420 for inquires.
FUEL ASSISTANCE:
Our Fuel Assistance Program is open and is now taking in-person appointments. Applications can also be taken over the phone. We are continuing to certify applications, authorize deliveries, and pay vendors. 413-774-2310
ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
All Energy Efficiency Programs are fully operational and can be reached at 413-376-1140. Please call first. At this time, walk-in appointments are not available.
HEATING REPAIR PROGRAM:
Our Heating Repair Program is open for heating system repairs and replacements. We can be reached at 413-376-1115. Please call first. At this time, walk-in appointments are not available.
THE COMMUNITY ACTION FAMILY CENTER:
Our Family Center is open with playgroups and support groups on site and in person. We have drop in hours where you can come in without a prior appointment. You can also call 413-475-1555 to make an appointment for individual and family support or find out more about any of our programs. Call to sign up to visit our community closet. Drop in for diapers during open hours.
VITA FREE TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
VITA Tax Assistance clinics are taking appointments. Please click here for more information.
WIC
We are following the guidance from our funding source, USDA. If you are concerned about your WIC appointment for any reason, please call us for assistance. We will do our best to help all families navigate services. 413-376-1160
YOUTH & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Please call for our latest program updates: 413-774-7028
THE CENTER FOR SELF-RELIANCE FOOD PANTRIES:
The Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry is open at its new location at 156 Main Street in Greenfield. We are now offering delivery, curbside pick up, and in-pantry food access options. To learn more about CSR, to view our hours or order online, please click here.
QUESTIONS
If you are unsure if your program is affected, or if you need to reschedule your appointment for any reason, please contact the appropriate Community Action program directly or call our agency line at 413-774-2318.
PRECAUTIONS:
During this time, we have increased sanitation protocols at our sites. With that, we ask that if you or someone in your household is ill that you stay home. Please call us to cancel your appointment and we will work with you to reschedule and help you access the resources you need.
Furthermore, we are encouraging all Community Action staff and visitors to:
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Wash hands upon arrival
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Respect 6 feet of personal space and avoid direct physical contact
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Observe appropriate hygiene precautions
OPPORTUNITY
With every challenge comes opportunity. The pandemic creates an opportunity for us to mobilize and come together to protect our most vulnerable neighbors. Community Action will continue to be a resource for all and strategize ways to affect the most good. We ask that you do the same.
If you are able to help us support our most vulnerable neighbors during this time, please click here to donate to our emergency fund, or contact Andi Porter at aporter@communityaction.us
COMMUNITY
In this time of social distancing and disconnection, we will continue to bridge connection and build community. We know that the families we serve are deeply concerned about how COVID-19 may affect their ability to receive basic needs and we are taking a proactive stance to ensure that we can continue to provide services to those who need them while prioritizing the safety of our participants and staff.
We will continue to update you as our plan develops. In the meantime, take care of yourself and each other.
HERE'S HOW WE CAN HELP...
Head Start & Early Learning Programs provides early education and care to children, ages 0-5, in Head Start & Early Head Start programs, center-based classrooms, family child care homes, and home visiting programs. Through a flexible mix of affordable options, we offer families earning lower-incomes the security of knowing that their children are learning and playing in a safe, supportive environment.
In New England, heating expenses are a big part of anyone’s budget, whether you rent or own your home. Community Action can help you heat your home and reduce home energy costs by installing insulation and fixing or replacing heating systems.
All people have the right to food, clothing, shelter, warmth, and medical care. Because costs are so high, many in our community have to sacrifice one necessity for another- rent vs. food, heat vs. needed medication. Community Action can help.
Good food is the basis of good health. Through its WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, Community Action assists pregnant women and families with children 0-5 in affording nutritious food and educates participants about immunization, nutrition, and breastfeeding.
Parenting is a tough and rewarding job. All parents need support and encouragement. Community Action offers playgroups, family activities, parenting education, and support for many kinds of parents and caregivers.
Community Action Youth Programs inspires emerging leaders to be their very best. Our free youth development programs focus on leadership development, community service, employment readiness, and diversity support.
Harmon Personnel Services is an an Alternative Staffing Organization and a division of Community Action Pioneer Valley. Harmon combines high-quality commercial staffing services with the social mission of helping people with low incomes move out of poverty.
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
