Latest news with #SpringfieldPartnersforCommunityAction
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Springfield Partners holds Community Action Day on Thursday
SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, Springfield Partners for Community Action will host its sixth Community Action Day celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sam Bolden Park. This free community event will celebrate local families and highlight vital services that support financial independence and self-sufficiency. This year's theme, 'Veterans in Action,' will spotlight area veterans, active duty service members, and the organizations that serve them. Attendees can explore resources including veterans services, financial literacy programs, tax assistance, weatherization and more. There will be free food, live music, access to community programs and networking with local service providers. Learn more about the Springfield Partners at Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield Partners for Community Action Director honored at retirement party
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – People in Springfield recognized the selfless work of one man who has dedicated his life to helping others. Paul Bailey has led Springfield Partners for Community Action for nearly 25 years and is retiring this year. He said he enjoyed every moment of service and hopes to continue helping others. Hampshire Pride Parade and Festival held in Northampton Springfield Partners for Community Action hosted a retirement part for its former executive director on Saturday, hoping that shining a light on Bailey's service will inspire others. 'I would do my duty and upon leaving, people would say goodbye, and that would be it,' Bailey said. 'I'm really surprised that when they said they were going to have this function, and I'm really happy about it.' Under Bailey's leadership, the nonprofit has raised more than $4 million. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his staff helped several people in the community, distributing over $185,000 to help those pay utility bills, rent, mortgages, and food. 'It's time for a celebration,' said Springfield Partners Board President Robert Jackson. 'I think we're all in agreement that he's done great for our community.' 'A celebration of a job well done, and he's leaving a work that can continue on,' said board member James Rhodes. 'He's laid the groundwork.' To date, Springfield Partners offers several programs, including financial literacy, support for first-time homebuyers, and support for veterans. 'I'd like to thank my staff in particular, because they were the ones that were motivated and ready to answer the calls, and they did it with great joy and accomplishment,' Bailey said. Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield Partners for Community Action still serves as the connection place in city
SPRINGFIELD — D.J. Jones, an administrative assistant at Springfield Partners for Community Action, smiled broadly, excitingly relaying how she'd just gotten a new commitment for more donated diapers. She runs the diaper program at Springfield Partners, supplying about 100 families, accounting for 166 individual children each month. 'Diapers are expensive,' said Mickey E. Harris, the executive director of Springfield Partners for the past few months. Springfield Partners is an $8 million to $10 million a year operation, offering home weatherization, tax preparation, financial literacy education, first-time homebuyer classes, veterans programs, SNAP counseling and apartment rental assistance, and is a general one-stop shop for people in poverty looking for resources. 'People come to us when they are in need and frequently frustrated,' Harris said. 'We give them something to help.' These are frustrations that might mount and resources that might become more scarce, given growing needs and uncertainty about the federal antipoverty programs that Springfield Partners manages. 'There are differences in terms of resources and changes in ideology,' said Harris, an attorney before taking over at Springfield Partners. It's also a time for celebrating the career of former Executive Director Paul F. Bailey, who retired Jan. 31 and will be honored at an event on Saturday at the Sheraton in Springfield. The cause for celebration comes at a time of uncertainty, however. J.C. Schnabl, Springfield Partners for Community Action deputy director, said the agency already has lost out on $100,000 in federal money that normally passes down through the state. 'For staffing,' Schnabl said. 'And we are already shorthanded.' Springfield Partners celebrated 60 years in 2024. It was born through the efforts of President Lyndon Johnson and his slate of War on Poverty programs, also known as the Great Society. Those programs called for community action agencies to put those programs into effect in neighborhoods across the country. Springfield Partners was the first community action site to open in Western Massachusetts in 1964, Harris said. And it still serves as a major connection point for people in need. 'Our model is to do everything we can do to fight poverty any way we can,' Harris said. More than 700 households took advantage last year of weatherization and household improvements, said Craig Tomlinson, director of that program. That involves assessing and making improvements. There are programs that provide air conditioners and dehumidifiers, as well. It's funded by the state and federal governments, as well by utilities through their efficiency programs. Taxpayers — 1,123 of them to be exact — came to Springfield Partners for Community Action this spring for help filing their taxes, said Terryl Wilson, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program coordinator. All told, that's probably $1.5 million or more in refunds, she said, as she finished reporting the results for the VITA effort in 2025. 'Tax preparation is very expensive,' Harris said. 'And a lot of people don't know how to do taxes.' Programs like tax preparation also give Springfield Partners a chance to offer other resources. Workers search out people who are eligible but not signed up. Springfield Partners closed its child care center last year and now leases the space to Playful Minds Learning Center. Harris said Springfield Partners continues to evolve. 'How do we encourage people, young people especially, that what they can accomplish is limitless? If you can dream it, you can do it,' he said. And that's going to take collaboration. Not everything has to be Springfield Partners for Community Action's idea or its own program. 'We can jump in,' he said. A Food Truck Festival put on in October by the Indian Orchard Citizens Council is a great example. By participating, Springfield Partners got a chance to reach out to the community and let people know about SNAP, about homebuyer classes, rental advancements and other services. 'We are trying to flow with the need,' Bailey said. 'There is more need and not as much funding to support those needs.' Over 24 years, there was one key lesson, Bailey said. 'Not to judge,' he said. It's tempting to see someone in need, someone in poverty, and see it as a result of a personal choice or failure. 'That is rarely the case,' he said. Western New England University president Robert Johnson stepping down Holyoke Landing, location of Popeyes and Starbucks, sold Howdy Awards honor 10 for hospitality excellence in Springfield area Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Veterans Appreciation luncheon held in Springfield to begin week of activities
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local organization kicked off Veterans Appreciation Week with a free Veterans Services 'Meet & Greet' luncheon at Texas Roadhouse in Springfield. Boston Marathon 2025: 30,000 runners in 129th race This heartwarming event, organized by Springfield Partners for Community Action, was a way to show support and appreciation for their service. Dozens of local veterans and active duty service members met inside Texas Roadhouse to not only enjoy a meal, but also be connected to a number of community resources. These included resources for housing, filing claims, accessing benefits, and other assistance. It was also an opportunity for them to connect with those who have shared experiences and combat any feelings of isolation. 'They enjoy each other's company for sure, and they like their activities,' said Jacqueline Farmer, program coordinator for Springfield Partners for Community Action. 'So I just found it very helpful to all the veterans. And, you know, sometimes they're down and then they come and they leave with a smile and maybe a new friend.' This event is just one of many that are taking place during Veterans Appreciation Week. Veterans will also be able to get free haircuts, massages, food, attend free concerts, and more throughout the week. At the end of the week, they'll be holding a huge bus trip and boat ride to Boston. Spots for this trip are filling up fast, so the agency says to plan to reserve in advance. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Super Refund Saturday' helps Springfield residents file tax returns
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Local organizations partnered together to help Springfield-area residents with their taxes. The Springfield Partners for Community Action is partnering with KeyBank to help support the community and put smiles on faces during an often stressful process for many: filing tax returns. Through the Springfield Partners Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Hampden County Residents who made up to $67,000 in the 2024 tax year can receive free income tax preparation. Big Y appoints new Director of Pharmacy 'Our mission is to provide the resources and the tools for the community to better their bottom line to create economic stability for families,' said Terryl Wilson, VITA Psych Coordinator for Springfield Partners for Community Action. KeyBank has held Super Refund Saturdays for 20 years as a way to help tax filers with tax preparation, but this is the first time they have offered free services in Massachusetts. Not only is this event helping with tax preparation, but it also helps residents understand and take advantage of eligible tax credits. Volunteers help residents understand if they qualify for tax credit programs, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, which subsidizes low-income families as well as many others. 'We work with them one-on-one. We answer any questions that they have to make sure that there's no confusion,' said Analisha Michanczyk, Regional Responsibility Officer of KeyBank. 'If they qualify for our Earned Income Tax Credit, we make sure that's on there and that they have all the information so that we can get them the best and the most amount of money on their tax return as possible.'The organization leaders said that often someone won't know about eligible credits, or will fill out the wrong paperwork. This partnership helps to ensure residents will receive the credits they qualify for. Taxes are due by Tuesday, April 15. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
