SPRINGFIELD — New England Business Associates (NEBA) will host an exclusive comedy fundraising event on Friday, April 21 at 8 p.m. at 112 Island Pond Road, Springfield. Doors open at 7 p.m.

NEBA welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of laughs featuring top local comedians to benefit Lead the Way Through Laughter. The event will feature a cash bar, raffles, 50/50, and auctions. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to purchase tickets.

“So much of our work involves connecting with the community, where we all know there is a critical workforce shortage that impacts everyone,” said Jeannine Pavlak, CEO of New England Business Associates. “This event is our way of bringing the community together in a fun way that provides an opportunity for all to take part in supporting NEBA’s efforts in solving workforce needs and leading the way to a more vibrant community.”

NEBA actively works toward ending social injustice through strategic work with employment agencies and businesses looking to expand their workforce.

SPRINGFIELD — New England Business Associates (NEBA) will host a community job fair in partnership with the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership on Friday, March 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 66 Industry Avenue, Suite 11, Springfield.

The Hampden County area is home to more than 150 manufacturing companies, many of which are looking for hardworking talent willing to turn this opportunity into a career. Boasting a need for nearly 2,000 employees in the local area, manufacturing frequently offers entry-level workers above minimum-wage pay for full-time, benefited positions. This Learn to Earn job fair is exclusively for those looking for careers in the manufacturing sector.

NEBA CEO Jeannine Pavlak, who is recognized nationally as a subject-matter expert in disability employment, sees this as an opportunity. “Manufacturing is currently not viewed as a typical pathway to gainful employment for people with disabilities, and there’s no reason it can’t become one. Learn to Earn will give identified candidates the initial training and skills needed to succeed in a manufacturing environment.”