Day: February 22, 2021

Happier Valley Comedy Launches Free Happiness Program

By
Daily News

HADLEY — After the year nonprofit organizations have had, who couldn’t use more happiness? On March 1, Happier Valley Comedy will launch its Free Happiness Program, through which nonprofits serving underrepresented, marginalized communities can apply for a free Happier Valley Comedy event. Organizations can apply for the local comedy theater to provide a free improv show or a personal/professional development training session, either online or in person, when it’s safe to do so.

“Our mission is to share laughter, joy, and ease with the world through the tenets of improv,” said Pam Victor, Happier Valley Comedy founder and president. “The Free Happiness Program is the next step in our commitment to fulfilling that mission specifically with communities that have been unfairly underserved.”

Happier Valley Comedy developed the Free Happiness Program as part of its ‘green-lining’ efforts, which aim to provide some balance for the historic, unjust ‘red-lining’ of BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) individuals in the greater worlds of comedy, personal and professional development, and beyond.

“We’ve intentionally made the application process as simple and easeful as possible,” Victor said. “We know nonprofits are stressed on many levels, so we want to make this program extremely accessible to those who need it.”

Applications open on March 1 and will be awarded by Happier Valley Comedy’s board of directors on a rolling basis through the Free Happiness Program page at happiervalley.com. Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to apply. Preference will be given to local organizations serving underrepresented, marginalized, and/or BIPOC individuals.

Nominations Open for 2021 Ubora, Ahadi Awards

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums is seeking nominations for the annual Ubora Award and Ahadi Youth Award. These prestigious awards — conferred by the African Hall Subcommittee — are awarded to African-American people from Greater Springfield who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating commitment to the fields of community service, education, science, humanities, and/or the arts.

The nomination deadline for both awards is March 31. The Ubora and Ahadi awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Springfield Museums in the fall.

True to the Swahili word that comprises its name, the Ubora Award recognizes an adult of African heritage who exemplifies excellence in their commitment to creating a better community through service. In 2020, the Ubora Award was given to Rep. Bud Williams.

Named for the Swahili word for promise, the Ahadi Youth Award is presented to a young African-American who excels in academics and performs admirable service to the Greater Springfield community. Eligible candidates must be age 19 or younger, live in or have strong ties to the Greater Springfield area, and be currently enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12. In 2020, the Ahadi Award was given to Kareem Wedderburn.

The African Hall Subcommittee is a volunteer group comprised of educators, business people, and community leaders from the African-American community. The group has administered this annual award since 1992. A full list of the awardees can be found on the Springfield Museums website.

Nomination forms can be downloaded by visiting springfieldmuseums.org/ubora. Nominations may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to African Hall Subcommittee, c/o Valerie Cavagni, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103.

Viability Welcomes New President and CEO Colleen Holmes

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Viability kept employment, inclusion, access, and empowerment for people with disabilities in the forefront despite the pandemic, says Viability’s new president and CEO, Colleen Holmes.

“For people confronting challenges ranging from mobility to mental health, capability stereotypes to substance abuse, isolation to meeting daily basic needs, just saying ‘we’ll get through this together’ rings hollow,” she added. “Viability had to move into hyperdrive to combat the new barriers of social distancing, shutdowns, and fear.”

Holmes brings 30 years of human-service experience to her new role with Viability, which began in November following a nationwide search. A resident of Springfield, she was most recently president and CEO of 18 Degrees and started in the field at Human Resources Unlimited, one of the agencies that formed Viability.

“I was drawn to Viability’s sky-high possibilities and innovative work in equity, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities and those confronting other social-justice challenges,” she said.

Viability is a community-based human-services agency providing employment services, vocational and life-skills training, and other supports to more than 4,000 individuals across five states. Viability partners with more than 600 employers and leverages community resources to overcome barriers with a mission of helping to build a world where individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages can realize their full potential.

In the last six months, Viability placed 180 individuals in jobs and was the vehicle for another 48 individuals to land employment through its consulting-services arm, Corporate Inclusion Solutions (CIS), which works with national employers to demonstrate how inclusion reduces turnover and meaningfully increases diversity.

Two of Viability’s clubhouse programs — Berkshire Pathways and Forum House — which serve individuals with mental illness with a motto of “recovery through work,” achieved renewed three-year accreditations from Clubhouse International. Viability also expanded services by opening Olympus, a new program site advancing life skills and possibilities for individuals with developmental disabilities, and moved its headquarters to Springfield.

Freedom Credit Union Accepting Donations for Blanket, Clothing, and Pajama Drive

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In Massachusetts, one in seven children is growing up in poverty. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are facing increased challenges meeting even basic needs. That’s why Freedom Credit Union has joined other credit unions in the Commonwealth to once again support the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and its A Bed for Every Child program by participating in the 11th annual Gift of Warmth — Blanket, Clothing and Pajama Drive this month.

“There are a lot of comforts many of us take for granted: a soft bed, a warm blanket, cozy pajamas. Sadly, there are also people — many of them children — who go without,” Freedom President Glenn Welch said. “In past years, we have accepted donations of clothing and blankets, but to keep things simpler and safer during the pandemic, we are instead requesting that our members and the community make cash donations at any of our branches this month.”

Funds raised throughout the month will be used to purchase new blankets and warm clothing, including pajamas, for children in need throughout the region.

“Our members have always been generous when it comes to helping their neighbors in our community,” Welch said. “Every child deserves a good night’s sleep in a warm bed, so we are hoping to make a strong impact this year.”

Time Is Running Out to Nominate Someone for the 40 Under Forty Class of 2021

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2021. The deadline for nominations is this Friday, Feb. 26.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be as detailed and thorough as possible, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form.

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in BusinessWest in May and honored at the 40 Under Forty event in late June. Event sponsorship opportunities are available.

BusinessTalk with Kirk Jonah

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 53: Feb. 22, 2021

George O’Brien talks with Kirk Jonah, a man who is trying to “Make Courage Contagious.”

 BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Kirk Jonah, a man who is trying to “Make Courage Contagious.” Kirk’s son, Jack, died of a heroin overdose a few years ago, and Kirk has dedicated much of his time, energy, and imagination to educating others about the dangers of opioid abuse. The two discuss his various speaking engagements, and also a recently-released movie about Jack Jonah, the Jonah family, and others, and its impact on audiences. It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

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