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 CenterBerkshire Regional Planning CommissionCommunity 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

February 16, 2026
On February 9, 2026, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts convened partners and legislators to celebrate the FY26 earmark for 413Cares.org and to share updates on major regional initiatives. PHIWM extends deep appreciation to Representative Michael Finn, Senator Adam Gomez, and the entire Western Massachusetts legislative delegation for their continued partnership and support for 413Cares.org , which remains a critical tool for connecting Western MA residents to help when they need it most. 413Cares.org saw major growth in 2025, with searches doubling and the number of users increasing more than fourfold. Check out photos from the gathering below!
Public Health Institute of Western MA 2025 In Numbers
February 6, 2026
Learn more about our work in 2025 bringing communities together, advocating for policy change, engaging community, and using data to drive change.
January 23, 2026
In 1996, courageous and visionary leaders from competing healthcare institutions created a public health organization to bring people together, secure resources, and convene multiple sectors to focus on community health issues that were not being addressed. That collective vision and action manifested in Partners for a Healthier Community, now the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Over the past 30 year s, we have strengthened partnerships and uplifted community voices. We are more committed than ever to ensure everyone has what they need to lead a healthy life. Thank you for your decades of partnership and lifetime of active hope.