United Way of Hampshire County has regularly updated COVID-19 resource pages.

Find them HERE .

Your clients can find resources through Mass 2-1-1 HERE .
Look4Help has updated information about services that are available HERE .

For Hampshire County Food Resources , click HERE .

For information about food access resources throughout Franklin County .Click HERE .

Email updates to Mary McClintock at Community Action.
United Way of Hampshire County-COSA Resource Calls are happening every Tuesday at 10am-11am. Join us for a conversation about resources and support.

Get the Zoom call information HERE .
Get notes from the call on April 21 , April 14 , and April 7 .
LOCAL HAND-SEWN MASK GROUP

If your organization is trying to find hand-sewn masks for staff and clients, check this local group DIY Masks of Western Massachusetts. Their Facebook page is HERE .
Eviction & Foreclosure Moratorium Is Now Law!
A great update from Western Mass Network to End Homelessness HERE and also a quick Fact Sheet from MCAN HERE .
Big Brothers Big Sisters Daffodil Run goes virtual this year! 5K/10K on Sunday, April 26th. Get all the details HERE .
COVID-19 Video in Spanish
An 11-minute COVID-19 informational video in Spanish. Hosted by Dr. Joseph Betancourt from Massachusetts General Hospital and created at the request of the City of Boston (link works best in Chrome browser).

Read the Daily Hampshire Gazette article about ways that local representatives are keeping lines of communication open during a public health crisis. Please help support the Gazette's coverage of COVID-19 which is offered free during these challenging times.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - Get Details Here
MA Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Acosta announced today that self-employed, gig workers, religious workers, people seeking part-time work, and others not eligible for regular unemployment assistance can now apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in Massachusetts. The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center website includes links to the PUA How To Apply web page as well as the Online PUA Application Form HERE .
 
MassHire recommends reviewing the PUA - How To Apply page prior to filing an application so all the required information is readily available when applying - HERE . This page includes the guidebook, eligibility and documentation checklists, as well as a federal unemployment assistance flow chart. There is a link on this page to the online application form. 
 
The DUA call center phone at 877-626-6800 is also available for phone PUA applications for those without access to internet or computer. 
INTERNET ACCESS THROUGH COMCAST : There have been a lot of questions about internet access for families who have school children that must do their school work online. If the family lives in the Comcast service area, they may be able to participate in Comcast Essentials. 
 
New Comcast customers who qualify for Internet Essentials will qualify for 2 months free, but you must sign up by May 13. Households with an outstanding debt owed to Comcast may also be eligible for Internet Essentials. They are waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by  5/13/20. https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19  Thanks to Danna Boughton at Community Action Pioneer Valley for sharing this.
New Book To Help Children Cope with COVID-19: Multi-Lingual
It is mainly for children 6 to 11 to help them understand COVID-19. It was produced with the collaboration of more than 50 organizations including World Health Organization, United Nations Red Cross.

The book was created using the results of a Global survey made in Arabic, English, Italian, French and Spanish. This survey was to assess children’s mental health and psychosocial needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In order to reach as many children as possible, the book was translated into 6 languages by April 9th. They have more than 30 other languages in the works. Released as both an online product and audio book. Find it online HERE . Many thanks to our friends at A Positive Place and Cooley Dickinson Health Care for sharing this wonderful resource for children!
Check Out the Census 2020 Coloring Contest
We have an opportunity that provides your child with a creative way to learn more about the 2020 Census while also giving them (and you!) something artistic to share with others via social media platforms with a possibility of winning a cash prize. This wonderful Census Coloring Contest is provided by our partners at the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. The NMAA has been very active in helping to share the Census message and has developed yet another way to engage people in actively participating in 2020 Census activities. Please see details below and visit the  Census Coloring Contest  to learn more. 

TO ENTER:
  • Download the image
  • Color in digitally or print out a copy and color/collage
  • Post your finished page(s) to your Instagram and/or Facebook and tag NoMAA
  • Use #NoMAA2020Census (so we can find it)
  • Deadline is April 30 (another contest will start May 1 with new artwork)
Watch the testimony of Marie-Frances Rivera from MassBuget on collective well-being and economic security in the Commonwealth.

You can also read it HERE .
The Peer Grief Support After Overdose Death group planned to launch in March at the Northampton Recovery Center will now launch as a Zoom meeting hosted by the NRC on Thursday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. The link to the meeting is here  https://zoom.us/j/97483013755

Check other options out HERE on their Facebook feed.
Center for New Americans offers permanent legal residents help with applications for citizenship.

The Public Charge rule does NOT affect citizenship applications. This means that if you have received public benefits, such as MassHealth, you can apply for citizenship with no penalty.

PSA is HERE & in Spanish HERE
Cancer Connection
Imagine what it’s like to have lost someone to cancer and be isolated in your bereavement, or to be living with cancer in a nursing home, or have a loved one who is. Cancer Connection is offering support to people dealing with cancer during this challenging time. Read their latest update HERE .
Head Start & Early Learning Programs is still supporting the children and families enrolled in our program. We serve children and families that reside in Franklin, Hampshire, and Western Hampden Counties. Click on the flyer for details.

Families can reach an Enrollment Counselor at 413-387-1250 or apply online HERE . You can download our referral form there as well.
RSVP of the Pioneer Valley has released a video of a Healthy Bones & Balance class for seniors.

Home workouts help everyone stay stronger, more positive, and healthier indoors. Watch Glafyra Ennis-Yentsch demonstrate a series of exercises.
413Cares is the locally-branded version of the Aunt Bertha national platform, an innovative community portal that provides online access for residents of Western Massachusetts to access available resources.
 
413Cares.org is completely free.
  The attached flyer includes easy, step-by-step instructions to claim your site and become part of 413Cares.
 
413Cares makes it easy for residents to reach and access services. It also makes it easy for organizations to refer to each other.  Don’t miss out on the referrals through this key regional resource.
First Time Homebuyer Grants Available in Northampton and Pelham - Find all the details on the Valley CDC website HERE .

  • COVID-19 ID Theft, Scams, and Warnings April 23rd 10:30am-11:30am
  • When You Turn 18 April 27th 10:30am-11:30am
  • Teen Workers’ Rights April 28th 10:30am-11:30am
  • COVID-19 ID Theft, Scams, and Warnings April 29th 10:30am-11:30am
  • Landlord/Tenant Rights and Responsibilities April 30th 10:30am-11:30am  

Download: Chronicle of Philanthropy Virtual Forum on COVID-19 and Nonprofits
Apr 23: Mass Nonprofit Network Webinar on Governance during COVID-19
Apr 24: HSF Improve your skills with Zoom Forum
Apr 26: Big Brothers Big Sisters Daffodil Run is now Virtual!
Apr 28: HSF Board Service : Why it's good for you and your community
Apr 28: HSF HR Roundtable
Apr 29: HSF Fiscal Roundtable
May 28: Early Childhood Mental Health Roundtable with Sarah Patton
Jul 22: HSF Administrative Professionals Day in JULY !
Northampton Survival Center in collaboration with Grow Food Northampton and Community Action Pioneer Valley has a temporary pantry site at Jackson St. School and bags available for pick up at several Northampton locations. Get current information about services HERE .
Get the latest information about all of the continuing programming at Amherst Survival Center by clicking HERE .

Amherst Survival Center is seeking partners for food delivery options . Please see the message from their director HERE .
Easthampton Community Center continues to serve individuals and families from 22 communities and has modified food pickup to observe social distancing.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has updated its services. Get information HERE .

Pantry and Meals updates HERE .
heart-drawing-girl.jpg
Neighbor, meet Neighbor.

The Western Massachusetts Community Aid is a grassroots movement that provides opportunities to post updates about support and requests for assistance.

How can I help? What if I need help? Learn more HERE .
CENSUS 2020: Make It Count!

You and your clients can complete the 2020 census by phone! There is multi-lingual support available including Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and more HERE .

Find your home town on a live map of response rates HERE .

Learn more about resources for your organization at Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Get the details on their COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley HERE .
Many thanks to Massachusetts Nonprofit Network for assembling a helpful list of links to support your nonprofit during this outbreak.
Look HERE .
Rep. Mindy Domb has news about the response to COVID-19, legislative efforts, the 2020 Census, and more on her Facebook feed HERE.
Sen. Jo Comerford has updates on COVID-19 for constituents HERE. There is information about the state and federal response HERE.
Check out Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa 's Twitter feed HERE for the latest. Join in her virtual office hours HERE .
Rep. Dan Carey posts about ways MA state government is working on COVID-19. He's got a Facebook feed HERE .
Congressman Jim McGovern has an updated page about COVID-19 HERE with information for constituents. For tips and updates, try Facebook HERE.
Rep. Natalie Blais updates regularly on Facebook HERE about COVID-19, info, and legislative responses to the public health crisis.
CDC Coronavirus Resources , includes map of US cases to date and downloads

includes downloads
Partners HealthCare COVID-19 Multi-Lingual Information Page in English, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish HERE
Baystate Health regularly updates information about coronavirus in our area. They include a glossary of terms.

Does your organization have additional supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? They welcome your donations of this life-saving equipment.
Call 413-794-6552 or email COVID19PPE@baystatehealth.org .
Cooley Dickinson Health Care updated information page HERE .

Cooley Dickinson has a COVID-19 Call Center for questions about symptoms or general inquiries.

Call 888-554-4234

Cooley Dickinson is accepting cloth masks that will be washed, packaged, and distributed to patients in need.
3 County CoC

COVID-19 Prevention and Response for Homeless Providers: Daily Resource Digest. Get full information HERE .
MASSHIRE staff continue to work and assist customers by phone, email, or web. Their website will be updated daily. Detailed info for those seeking to file unemployment claims is HERE .
COSA MEMBERS
Roger Anderson
Jan Klausner - Wise
Renee Moss
Jeff Roth - Howe