Advancing Chicopee Together /

Adelantando Chicopee Juntos

Advancing Chicopee Together/Adelantando Chicopee Juntos (ACT) is a community coalition in Chicopee working to identify, understand, and build solutions to prevent and address health-related issues, especially for those who experience greater health inequities. The coalition was established in 2025 under the State’s Addressing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM) initiative. PHIWM leads this effort with support from the City of Chicopee, and convenes the coalition of multi-sector leaders, Chicopee organizations, city departments, resident advisors, and other community experts. 

Coalition Building

Focus areas

ACT is currently focused on two main health areas: Food Access and Maternal/Perinatal Health

  • Food Access

    Access to nutritious food is critical for supporting a healthy body and preventing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Chicopee has higher rates of premature mortality than the State, especially from diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chicopee also has higher rates of hypertension and obesity, which can contribute to more serious disease. ACT aims to improve health by improving access to nutritious food, especially for those at risk of these diseases.


    ACT is working to improve awareness, coordination, and connection to the local food resources so Chicopee residents can be better informed of where and when they can access food pantries and meal sites. Together with our partners, we have developed a Food Resource Page for Chicopee that helps to centralize information. We will continue to work on strategies to get this information out into the community. 


    ACT is also organizing a Food Resource Fair that will have representation from Chicopee’s food providers, nutrition education, home gardening demos, and giveaways. This event is planned for April 22nd 4-7 pm at The Hub. 


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  • Maternal-Perinatal Health

    Health and wellness for birthing individuals is critical to support a healthy pregnancy and manage the stress and risks during the postpartum period. Chicopee has higher rates of gestational diabetes than the State. Our region has also faced an increased shortage of obstetric providers and closures of Holyoke Medical birthing center and Mercy Medical birthing center, leaving fewer places to seek care locally. This disproportionally impacts lower income and people of color. 


    ACT is working with the community and regional experts to improve awareness and connection to maternal health care information and resources by creating and disseminating information materials. This will also help to build better coordination and navigation among different types of providers to support families. 


    ACT is also working with doulas and other experts to hold a series of community education workshops for birthing and postpartum individuals that will help inform, support, and empower individuals while building community connection. 


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Structure of act

The ACT Steering Committee provides expertise and guidance, helps us hold equity at the forefront, supports community connection and engagement, and helps to champion the project. The Committee includes a cross-section of multi-sector leaders, community organizations, and resident advisors.

The Maternal-Perinatal and Food Access workgroups consist of more organizations, experts, and advocates. The workgroups are especially focused on bringing together diverse range of people who hold knowledge and play critical community-clinical linkages in access and delivery of services. 

background

Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM) is a Healey-Driscoll initiative that is committed to eliminating racial, economic, and regional disparities in health outcomes. The initiative is led by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and involves community organizations, state agencies, and partners from across Massachusetts to transform the systems that lead to poor health outcomes and premature death. AHEM focuses on two priority areas - maternal/perinatal health and social determinants of health - and addresses them through place-based (community) investments and cross-agency alignment. There are 30 AHEM communities that the State has identified. Learn more about the state’s AHEM initiative.

OUR FUNDER

This project is funded by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. Created in 2001, the mission of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is to expand access to health care in Massachusetts through grantmaking and policy initiatives.

Contact

To learn more, contact Liv Anna Homstead, Senior Coalition Building Manager, LHomstead@publichealthwm.org.