Day: November 30, 2021

United Way Hoping to ‘Fill the Fiat’ with Holiday Gifts for Those in Need

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — As part of its Hope for the Holidays program, United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) announced Fill the Fiat, a unique opportunity to stuff a very small car full of holiday cheer for those in need.

Paul Mancinone, chairman of the board for Mercy Medical Center, has loaned UWPV his vintage Fiat 500 for the event, and it is currently sitting inside the TD Bank building, 1441 Main St., near the UWPV office in downtown Springfield, ready for donations of unwrapped holiday gifts through Dec. 7.

“It is truly an honor for Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health Of New England to work with the United Way, continuing its mission and commitment to serving those in need,” Mancinone said. “By partnering with the United Way of Pioneer Valley, Fill the Fiat will help bring educational toys and much-needed clothing to those children in need in downtown Springfield and the eastern and western parts of Hampden County. We are blessed to have this opportunity to serve.”

Hope for the Holidays is seeking educational toys, as well as socks and pajamas, for infants and children through age 12. Learn more at uwpv.org/hope.

“United Way of Pioneer Valley has always believed in trying new ideas and forging partnerships with the community to solve its problems,” said Paul Mina, president and CEO of United Way of Pioneer Valley. “I implore our community to fill this Fiat full of presents so we can provide hope, dignity, and holiday cheer to those most in need this holiday season.”

Jewish Family Service Hires New Berkshires Resettlement Coordinator

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (JFS) announced the appointment of Gabriela Sheehan as its new Berkshires resettlement coordinator.

Sheehan comes to JFS with master’s degree in career and technical education from Northern Arizona University, and more than 10 years of experience teaching in the Pittsfield public-school system. In addition, she served on the United Educator of Pittsfield board for two years, and recently taught ESL to multilingual students in grades 5-8 at Du Bois Middle School.

She will join JFS’ New American Program to facilitate the reception and placement of Afghan evacuees in Berkshire County, including coordinating with legal, housing, education, government, advocacy, and social-service agencies and businesses to advance opportunities for refugees to survive, integrate, and thrive in Berkshire County. She will also work closely with volunteer leaders and organizations taking part in resettlement efforts. She will begin her new position on Dec. 6.

Sheehan credits growing up in a multi-lingual, bicultural home, and her late father, Ramiro Guerrero, who was a champion for justice for the Latino community in the Berkshires, for giving her the incentive to become a strong advocate for immigrant families. She looks forward to sharing her passion for cultural diversity with the greater community.

“The change to work more directly with families and join the community groups that have been doing this work for years, while building a unified system of advocacy for new Americans in Berkshire County, is so exciting,” Sheehan said. “Those who have worked with immigrant communities can appreciate their value to our society; new students and families from all over the world settling into Berkshire County made this opportunity a great fit for me. My life is infinitely better because of the students and families I have had the pleasure to serve: hardworking, faithful, resilient people who sacrifice so much for a life of safety and opportunity for their children.”

Springfield College Professor Earns Outstanding Creative Applied Practice Award

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Simone Alter-Muri, Springfield College’s director and professor for Art Therapy/Counseling and Art Education Programs, recently received the American Art Therapy Assoc. (AATA) 2021 Outstanding Creative Applied Practice Award (OCAPA). Alter-Muri received her honor during the AATA’s recent 2021 virtual awards ceremony.

“I am honored to be the first recipient of the Outstanding Applied Creative Practice Award by the American Art Therapy Association,” Alter-Muri said. “This award was founded in memory of Dr. Lani Gerrity, an amazing art therapist. Receiving the award would not be possible without the support and inspiration from my colleagues and students. This award talks to the language we all know, the language of our hearts. I hope to serve as a mentor for students in the applied creative practice of art therapy.”

The criteria for this award included personal art making that emphasized social justice, resilience, and the promotion of art therapy in the community. Alter-Muri’s art making has demonstrated a commitment to creative practice and has significantly influenced the art-therapy community with these art-based practices. She has demonstrated support for the value of art in art therapy as evidenced by both personal and professional practice as an artist and art therapist.

The OCAPA is designated for an active member of the AATA whose contributions as an artist and art therapist (or student in a current art-therapy program) have significantly influenced the art-therapy profession.

The AATA is dedicated to the growth and development of the art-therapy profession. Founded in 1969, the association is one of the world’s leading art-therapy membership organizations. Its mission is to advance art therapy as a regulated mental-health profession and build a community that supports art therapists throughout their careers.

Public Welcome at Wistariahurst for Holiday Open House Dec. 4-5

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited into the historic Wistariahurst Museum for a weekend of seasonal fun. Visitors are encouraged to see the decorated museum and experience live music, participate in family-friendly activities, and browse tables from local vendors.

Though the event is free and open to the public, registration is required at wistariahurst.org. Face masks are requested.

As part of the festivities, on Saturday at 2:15 p.m., Skinner descendant Allerton Kilborne will offer a guided tour of Wistariahurst. Spaces are limited, so interested parties must add on this tour to their registration in advance.

News

Contact

Advertise

Events