Legislative Earmark Helps Expand 413Cares Through Regional Partnerships

December 19, 2023

413Cares.org is thrilled to receive funding from the state to continue its efforts to connect residents to critical services across the four counties of Western MA. This year we are expanding our work with four new regional partnerships- Hilltown Community Health Center, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Community Action Pioneer Valley, and Quaboag Hills Community Coalition. Together we will bring 413Cares further into Franklin and Berkshire counties and the Hilltown and Quaboag regions. Thank you to Representative Michael Finn and Senator Adam Gomez who helped secure this funding. Thank you to everyone else who came out to celebrate, including Representative Carlos Gonzalez, a staff member from Senator Velis’ office, and many other partners.

Download the Press Release
413Cares.org is thrilled to receive funding from the state to continue its efforts to connect residents to critical services across the four counties of Western MA.

L-R: PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman; PHIWM Project Coordinator Beyonca Twiggs; Kim Savery, Director, Community Programs and Family Support Services with the Hilltown Community Health Center; Frank Robinson, Vice President of Community Relations and Public Health at Baystate Health; Representative Michael Finn; Sarita Hudson, PHIWM Senior Director of Strategy and Development; Senator Adam Gomez; Jaymie Zapata, Senior Planner with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission; PHIWM Executive Director Jessica Collins; Ana Jaramillo, Program Supervisor, Holyoke Health Center; PHIWM Board Member Luz Lopez; Liv Anna Homstead, PHIWM Coalition Building Manager; Representative Carlos Gonzalez; Kevin Chambers, Aide to Senator John Velis; and Debra DiStefano, Chief People & Equity Officer for the Hilltown Community Health Center

share this

Related Articles

Fall 2025 Respiratory Virus Information

October 15, 2025
Get information about current vaccine recommendations and answers to common questions

Upcoming Webinar Nov 14 on Rural Health Equity

October 14, 2025
Join us for a free webinar, November 14, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm, exploring the unique challenges and strengths of rural communities across Western Massachusetts, featuring State Senator Jo Comerford , Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district, Laura Kittross , Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and Phoebe Walker, Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
group photo of resident advisors and staff

Resident Advisors Gather For Peer-to-Peer Learning

October 14, 2025
On September 27th, resident advisors (RAs) from the Public Health Institute of Western MA gathered at Regreen Springfield for a Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop. RAs from the following 5 coalitions shared successes, challenges, and key learnings. A team of RAs representing each initiative led presentations that sparked dialogue, allowing everyone to learn from one another, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of community efforts. Intergenerational Social Connections (ISC): Focuses on bringing youth and older adults together in Springfield to reduce loneliness, build relationships, and strengthen community across generations. Live Well Springfield Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE): Focuses on advancing community choice energy for Springfield, creating strategies to address extreme heat, and developing a new Climate Change Action Plan for the city. Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI): Focuses on addressing Springfield’s housing needs by improving housing conditions, increasing affordability, and expanding opportunities for homeownership. Healthy Air Network: Focuses on monitoring air quality, exploring transportation issues, developing an innovative app, and tackling climate change challenges  The workshop also served as a warm welcome and orientation for new RAs joining the committees, especially our new Parent Advisors for the Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), which is focused on youth mental health and problem gambling. Learn more about the resident advisor program .