As we await the transition period from the elections, we have much information to share and so we are hitting send now! I know there is much anticipation, excitement and anxiety about what our local, state and national leadership will provide for us in the next four years. No matter who wins the election, we need to keep our eye on the vision of equity and justice; we need to continue seeking collaboration and not just with the folks that agree with us; and we must be dedicated to lifting up love and kindness. Collaborative leadership is fundamental to our future, not just for tackling the big societal challenges, but to role model openness, humility and dignity.
What I have learned from some very wise folks that have been doing anti-racism work for a long time is that one of the most powerful ways to counteract fear of others - that often leads to hate, like racism and other -isms - is to spend time getting to know people who are not in our typical family and friend circles. I challenge all of us, in particular white folks, to set a goal of getting to know two new families or people from a different background than our own over the next year. The authentic connections of our basic humanity can have a long lasting impact. My hope is that while we change systems and polices for the good of all, we’ll build our understanding and empathy of others and realize we are really not that different after all.
Best,
Jessica
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Sexual Violence Against Girls & Young Women in Hampden County |
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Webinar Next Friday 11/13 |
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The event will be moderated by Luz Lopez, who is the Executive Director of MetroCare of Springfield and serves on our Board of Directors. Jessie Gleckel, MPH, Director of Programs and Standards, Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence (formerly with the Public Health Institute of Western MA) will present findings from the assessment.
Panelists to include:
- Elizabeth Dineen, JD – Executive Director at YWCA of Western Massachusetts
- Dawn DiStefano, MPA – Executive Vice President at Square One & member of Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
- Deidre Hussey, PsyD –Victim Services Supervisor at Baystate Health Family Advocacy Center
- Cindy Miller, BS, – Director of Clinical Services at Tapestry Health Systems, Inc.
- Ebony Steed – Member of the Feminine Health Task Force for the Young Women’s Initiative
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- Identify data collection gaps,
- characterize and describe the problem,
- Highlight available resources, and
- Recognize policies/funding aimed at preventing and responding to sexual violence.
We hope this new report will inspire conversations and multi-sector efforts to better address sexual violence in our region and beyond.
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New Measures to Curb Rising COVID-19 Cases & Hospitalizations |
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On Monday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. These measures go into effect on Friday November 6, 2020:
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Stay at Home Advisory: All residents of Massachusetts are advised to stay home between the hours of 10pm and 5am.
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Early Closure of Businesses and Activities: Certain businesses and activities must close to the public each day between the hours of 9:30 PM and 5:00 AM.
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Face Covering Order: All persons are required to wear face-coverings in all public places, even where they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
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Order Limiting Size of Gatherings: Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people. Organizers of gatherings must report known positive COVID-19 cases to their local health department and cooperate with contact tracing. The order establishes fines for violations.
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Stay Safe during Thanksgiving
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After months of dealing with COVID-19, we are all suffering from “pandemic fatigue”. It has been painful to forgo important traditions and rituals, like weddings and funerals, and to readjust our lives to avoid the spread of this virus. New COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Western Massachusetts, and as we enter the holiday season, a time when we would normally gather with friends and family, it is important that we remain vigilant and continue to practice prevention:
- Maintain a distance from others.
- Wear a mask.
- Clean your hands with soap and water OR hand sanitizer.
- Stay home when you don’t feel well.
As you plan for the Thanksgiving holiday, check out this guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to keep people safe. In general, it is best to keep gatherings small and brief. If gathering indoors, improve ventilation by opening windows and doors. Consider hosting virtual gatherings. Including people who are not in your household or limited social network increases the risk of contracting or spreading illness. Read more.
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Visit our county pages for additional COVID-19 data:
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Protect Yourself & Family from the Flu |
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To help prevent the flu, you can take many of the steps used to avoid COVID-19:
- Wear facemasks,
- Cough into your sleeve,
- Maintain distance from others,
- Wash your hands or sanitize (with 60% alcohol content), and
- Avoid congregate settings.
Getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu.
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Learn and engage from the comfort of your home. Check out these upcoming events: |
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November 13, 2020 from 9:30-12:30pm, Hampden County Mentoring Summit: Join the first ever free virtual Mentoring Summit in Hampden County. The Summit is for anyone who does mentoring. There will be time for networking with other organizations and skill sharing about virtual mentoring and recruitment of mentors. There will also be content experts from the Mass Mentoring Partnership and the Rennie Center. The Summit is sponsored by over 10 different organizations, including Mass Mentoring Partnership, the Public Health Institute of Western MA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, and many more. Contact contact Kim Gilhuly with any questions. Register here.
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November 19, 2020 from 1:00-4:00pm, Reframing Community Engagement. In the face of this pandemic, communities are dealing with many challenges, including how to connect with each other while also keeping the community safe. This training will explore community engagement strategies in both online and offline spaces, from meeting platforms to phone trees and flyering. Moreover, the training will touch upon the types of engagement that are accessible for hard-to-reach communities, such as aging adults with limited technology and people whose first language is not English. Participants will also learn how to further their impact and coalition message by utilizing wide-reaching online spaces like Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more and register.
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Save the Date! December 8-10, 2020, Acknowledging the Impact of Racism on Community Health and Prevention: Making our Work More Restorative. The murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery, combined with the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 evident across our communities, lay bare the deadly impact of white supremacist culture on the health of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and force us to examine how racist policies contribute to inequitable health outcomes. This year’s virtual conference, convened by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) with support from the Center for Strategic Prevention Support (CSPS), offers prevention practitioners from across the Commonwealth an opportunity to examine our role in perpetuating these inequities and explore potential solutions. Registration information will be available soon.
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Mini Grants to Address Racial Health Equity |
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Struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19? |
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The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced a set of resources, known as the Eviction Diversion Initiative, to support tenants and landlords during the financial challenges caused by the pandemic. To learn about resources available for renters, homeowners, and landlords, visit this website or call 2-1-1
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Are you or someone you know homeless or at risk of homelessness? |
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Youth and young adult homelessness is a crisis in Hampden County. Into the Spotlight has a plan. If you are at risk or know someone at risk, call Into the Spotlight at 413-316-4979. |
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Videos from Fall Webinar Series |
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Watch the recordings from our last two webinars: |
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