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AFAM POV THE Y AND DUNBAR: AN HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP FOR OUR COMMUNITYCommunity to Benefit from 260 Years of InnovationSpringfield – Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood is about to experience the benefit of 260 years of providing opportunities for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Recently, the YMCA of Greater Springfield and Dunbar Community Center entered into a collaborative agreement designed to strengthen community services for the youth, families and seniors in Mason Square. The Dunbar Community & Family Center will continue to pursue Dunbar’s longstanding mission to support, educate, protect and extend opportunities and services to those who may be vulnerable and underserved, and will have the added benefit of the Y’s deep-rooted understanding of the challenges and needs facing men, women and children from a vast array of cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and its innovative and proven approach to meeting those needs.“The Y has been serving the greater Springfield region for 160 years,” says Kirk Smith, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Springfield. “And Dunbar has been serving Mason Square for nearly a century. It makes sense to bring together the best of both organizations to better meet the educational, health, and overall wellness needs of our families who live here.”The collaboration was made possible with the support of five major donors, without whom Dunbar’s vital services to the Mason Square community likely would have ceased: the Amelia Peabody Foundation, Baystate Health, Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and the United Way of Pioneer Valley.“Starting from its founding days as a ministry of the Saint John’s Congregational Church by Rev. Dr. William N. DeBerry, the Dunbar Community Center has been committed to serving the needs of the residents of Mason Square and beyond,” says Victor Woolridge, Board Chair, Dunbar Community & Family Center. “On behalf of the Dunbar Board, its staff, alumni, members and supporters, I want to express our deep appreciation to all of the funders who have committed to stand beside us and provide precious resources during these difficult times. I’m confident that with their support, the support of the community, and the strong collaboration that we’ve forged with the YMCA, that the history and legacy of the Dunbar will be preserved for future generations.”Historically, Mason Square has been a predominantly African-American neighborhood and since 1812 Dunbar’s programs and services have reflected the culture, heritage and traditions of the community. In fact, the organization was created based on a need to specifically support those who felt disenfranchised from other community organizations. Likewise, the Y has long been committed to providing programs and opportunities that acknowledge and respect the heritage of the African-American culture.“Ever since the days of exclusive African-American YMCA’s back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Y has been celebrating diversity and encouraging participation from families of different backgrounds,” says Smith. “The same is true for Dunbar. We are proud to say that two organizations once separated by society are being brought together for one purpose: to provide opportunities for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility to more members of our community, regardless of their cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.”In the days ahead, there will be a series of events and opportunities to introduce more area residents, businesses and community leaders to the partnership and illustrate what the Dunbar Community & Family Center will bring to Mason Square. ■HAMPDEN BANK AND THE CARING HEALTH CENTER ANNOUNCE GRANT PARTNERSHIP OF $100,000 OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS Springfield – The Caring Health Center, the only freestanding, community controlled healthcare center serving the southwest area of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Hampden Bank entered into a partnership that would give $20,000.00 over the next 5 years to the Caring Health Center. A spokesman from the Caring Health Center stated, “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone at Hampden Bank for aiding us in our continued battle to provide the people of Springfield with the healthcare that they need.” The Caring Health Center provides primary and preventative care for all ages, also focusing on disease prevention through patient screenings, immunizations, family planning, nutrition education, and treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and sickle cell anemia. The mission of the Caring Health Center is to work within the community to provide health, to care for the ill, to comfort the sick, and to bring the highest level of health care to those who are challenged by socio-economic, linguistic and cultural barriers. Since1852 Hampden Bank has been “brightening the days’ of its customers. A local community bank serving the families and businesses throughout Hampden County, Hampden Bank has ten branch office locations in Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Wilbraham, at Tower Square in downtown Springfield and Indian Orchard. In addition to offering the most up-to-date banking services, Hampden Bank offers clients a full array of insurance and financial products through its subsidiary, Hampden Financial, a strategic alliance created with the MassMutual Financial Group.The Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation was established in 2007 to provide grants to non-profit and community—based organizations throughout Western Massachusetts. ■REBUILDING TOGETHER ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS20th Annual “National Rebuilding Day,” Saturday, April 28th Springfield – Rebuilding Together is currently accepting new applications from low-income homeowners in the city of Springfield. On Saturday, April 28th, the nonprofit Springfield, MA affiliate of Rebuilding Together will celebrate its 20th annual “National Rebuilding Day”. This year Rebuilding Together will complete 15 home repair projects with 500-1,000 volunteers in just one day! The 200 affiliates nationwide will complete 8,000 homes with 250,000 volunteers on this day. This year the focus will be on tornado damaged homes, however this is not a requirement to apply. According to FEMA, the long-term recovery from the series of tornadoes on June 1, 2011 is estimated to be 18-24 months. In Springfield alone a total of 1,600 homes sustained damage and 220 were condemned. A total of 25% of the homeowners did not have insurance and still more had inadequate insurance. The initiatives of the program focus on providing safety, security, and independence to its recipients, while preserving home ownership and reducing the risk of homelessness. To see if you qualify and receive an application, to sponsor, volunteer or donate, contact Rebuilding Together at: 413-788-0014 www.rebuildingtogetherspringfield.org ■UNITED WAY OF PIONEER VALLEY ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY IMPACT FUNDINGStrategic Funding Focused On Making An Impact On Community NeedsSpringfield – The United Way of the Pioneer Valley has completed a two-year process that began with an assessment of community needs and culminated in the awarding of $2.1 million in funding for three Community Building Blocks: Education, Income and Health. According to Dora D. Robinson, President and CEO of the 90-year old UWPV, “This is indeed a proud moment for an organization whose mission is to mobilize people and resources to strengthen our communities.” A Request for Proposal (RFP), issued in July 2011, clearly articulated the organization’s funding priorities and criteria with a focus on measurable outcomes and indicators. The review process was volunteer-driven and staff-supported. The 22 grant review team members represented a cross-section of volunteers from the community including representatives of private industry, nonprofits, health, education, and government from across the Pioneer Valley. Overseeing the review process was the Community Impact Committee to make sure the process never lost sight of the objective and remained true to UWPV’s mission and values. The results:•52 organizations will share in $2.1 grant funding that will span 18-months (January 2012 through June 2013). •Community partners receiving funding in this cycle are diverse in terms of size, location, communities served, leadership, and scope of services.According to the United Way’s Sr. Vice President of Community Impact Sylvia deHaas Phillips, additional grant funding opportunities are available in the areas of basic needs and emergency services; disaster relief, recovery and rebuilding funding; small grants, capacity building and pro-active grant making. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED® www.uwpv.org ■
February 1, 2012 issue
© An African American POV
AFAM POV
THE Y AND DUNBAR: AN HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP
FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Community to Benefit from 260 Years of Innovation
Springfield – Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood is about to experience the benefit of 260 years of
providing opportunities for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Recently, the
YMCA of Greater Springfield and Dunbar Community Center entered into a collaborative agreement
designed to strengthen community services for the youth, families and seniors in Mason Square.
The Dunbar Community & Family Center will continue to pursue Dunbar’s longstanding mission to
support, educate, protect and extend opportunities and services to those who may be vulnerable and
underserved, and will have the added benefit of the Y’s deep-rooted understanding of the challenges and
needs facing men, women and children from a vast array of cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic
backgrounds and its innovative and proven approach to meeting those needs.
“The Y has been serving the greater Springfield region for 160 years,” says Kirk Smith, President &
CEO, YMCA of Greater Springfield. “And Dunbar has been serving Mason Square for nearly a century. It
makes sense to bring together the best of both organizations to better meet the educational, health, and
overall wellness needs of our families who live here.”
The collaboration was made possible with the support of five major donors, without whom Dunbar’s
vital services to the Mason Square community likely would have ceased: the Amelia Peabody Foundation,
Baystate Health, Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
and the United Way of Pioneer Valley.
“Starting from its founding days as a ministry of the Saint John’s Congregational Church by Rev. Dr.
William N. DeBerry, the Dunbar Community Center has been committed to serving the needs of the
residents of Mason Square and beyond,” says Victor Woolridge, Board Chair, Dunbar Community &
Family Center. “On behalf of the Dunbar Board, its staff, alumni, members and supporters, I want to
express our deep appreciation to all of the funders who have committed to stand beside us and provide
precious resources during these difficult times. I’m confident that with their support, the support of the
community, and the strong collaboration that we’ve forged with the YMCA, that the history and legacy of
the Dunbar will be preserved for future generations.”
Historically, Mason Square has been a predominantly African-American neighborhood and since
1812 Dunbar’s programs and services have reflected the culture, heritage and traditions of the
community. In fact, the organization was created based on a need to specifically support those who felt
disenfranchised from other community organizations. Likewise, the Y has long been committed to
providing programs and opportunities that acknowledge and respect the heritage of the African-American
culture.
“Ever since the days of exclusive African-American YMCA’s back in the late 1800s and early 1900s,
the Y has been celebrating diversity and encouraging participation from families of different
backgrounds,” says Smith. “The same is true for Dunbar. We are proud to say that two organizations once
separated by society are being brought together for one purpose: to provide opportunities for youth
development, healthy living and social responsibility to more members of our community, regardless of
their cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.”
In the days ahead, there will be a series of events and opportunities to introduce more area
residents, businesses and community leaders to the partnership and illustrate what the Dunbar
Community & Family Center will bring to Mason Square. ■
HAMPDEN BANK AND THE CARING HEALTH
CENTER ANNOUNCE GRANT PARTNERSHIP OF
$100,000 OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS
Springfield – The Caring Health Center, the only
freestanding, community controlled healthcare center
serving the southwest area of Springfield,
Massachusetts, and Hampden Bank entered into a
partnership that would give $20,000.00 over the next 5
years to the Caring Health Center. A spokesman from the
Caring Health Center stated, “We would like to extend
our deepest gratitude to everyone at Hampden Bank for
aiding us in our continued battle to provide the people of
Springfield with the healthcare that they need.”
The Caring Health Center provides primary and
preventative care for all ages, also focusing on disease
prevention through patient screenings, immunizations,
family planning, nutrition education, and treatment of
chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and
sickle cell anemia. The mission of the Caring Health
Center is to work within the community to provide
health, to care for the ill, to comfort the sick, and to
bring the highest level of health care to those who are
challenged by socio-economic, linguistic and cultural
barriers.
Since1852 Hampden Bank has been “brightening
the days’ of its customers. A local community bank
serving the families and businesses throughout
Hampden County, Hampden Bank has ten branch office
locations in Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow, West
Springfield, Wilbraham, at Tower Square in downtown
Springfield and Indian Orchard. In addition to offering
the most up-to-date banking services, Hampden Bank
offers clients a full array of insurance and financial
products through its subsidiary, Hampden Financial, a
strategic alliance created with the MassMutual Financial
Group.
The Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation was
established in 2007 to provide grants to non-profit and
community—based organizations throughout Western
Massachusetts. ■
REBUILDING TOGETHER ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS
20th Annual “National Rebuilding Day,” Saturday, April 28th
Springfield – Rebuilding Together is currently accepting new applications
from low-income homeowners in the city of Springfield. On Saturday, April
28th, the nonprofit Springfield, MA affiliate of Rebuilding Together will
celebrate its 20th annual “National Rebuilding Day”. This year Rebuilding
Together will complete 15 home repair projects with 500-1,000 volunteers in
just one day! The 200 affiliates nationwide will complete 8,000 homes with
250,000 volunteers on this day.
This year the focus will be on tornado damaged homes, however this is
not a requirement to apply. According to FEMA, the long-term recovery from
the series of tornadoes on June 1, 2011 is estimated to be 18-24 months. In
Springfield alone a total of 1,600 homes sustained damage and 220 were
condemned. A total of 25% of the homeowners did not have insurance and
still more had inadequate insurance.
The initiatives of the program focus on providing safety, security, and
independence to its recipients, while preserving home ownership and
reducing the risk of homelessness. To see if you qualify and receive an
application, to sponsor, volunteer or donate, contact Rebuilding Together at:
413-788-0014
www.rebuildingtogetherspringfield.org ■
UNITED WAY OF PIONEER VALLEY ANNOUNCES
COMMUNITY IMPACT FUNDING
Strategic Funding Focused On Making An Impact On Community Needs
Springfield – The United Way of the Pioneer Valley has completed a two-year
process that began with an assessment of community needs and culminated in
the awarding of $2.1 million in funding for three Community Building Blocks:
Education, Income and Health. According to Dora D. Robinson, President and
CEO of the 90-year old UWPV, “This is indeed a proud moment for an
organization whose mission is to mobilize people and resources to strengthen
our communities.”
A Request for Proposal (RFP), issued in July 2011, clearly articulated the
organization’s funding priorities and criteria with a focus on measurable
outcomes and indicators. The review process was volunteer-driven and staff-
supported. The 22 grant review team members represented a cross-section of
volunteers from the community including representatives of private industry,
nonprofits, health, education, and government from across the Pioneer Valley.
Overseeing the review process was the Community Impact Committee to
make sure the process never lost sight of the objective and remained true to
UWPV’s mission and values. The results:
•
52 organizations will share in $2.1 grant funding that will span 18-months
(January 2012 through June 2013).
•
Community partners receiving funding in this cycle are diverse in terms of
size, location, communities served, leadership, and scope of services.
According to the United Way’s Sr. Vice President of Community Impact
Sylvia deHaas Phillips, additional grant funding opportunities are available in
the areas of basic needs and emergency services; disaster relief, recovery and
rebuilding funding; small grants, capacity building and pro-active grant making.
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED® www.uwpv.org ■