Valley Opportunity Council Annual Report 2021

A Way Forward, Together

Our Mission

The Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is dedicated to eliminating poverty by providing the opportunity for our low and moderate-income neighbors, families, and friends in the greater Hampden County area to achieve greater independence and a higher quality of life.

Our Board

VOC has a tripartite (three community segments) board structure that is designed to promote the participation of the entire community in the reduction or elimination of poverty. Community Action Agencies seek to involve 1) elected public officials 2) private sector representatives and 3) low-income residents. We thank our Board Members for their service and commitment throughout the year.

Target Representatives

Manuel Contin

Stefany Escobar-Garcia Jolene Monfette

Gladys Suero Eric Taub

Public Representatives

Cory Briere Sherleen Crespo Cheryl Figeroa

John Hale Ken Parsons Jackie Watson

Private Representatives

Tony Diaz

Ana Rodriguez Greg Schwartz Willie Spradley, Jr. Zuzanna Zaluga Mim Zayas

Resiliency of Our Agency, and the People We Serve

While the COVID pandemic has had an enormous impact on all of our lives, we have learned much about our agency’s resiliency and the resiliency of the populations we serve.

As we enter a post-pandemic era, where the virus will likely become a part of life going forward, it is a good time to also reflect on how the Valley Opportunity Council responded in these extraordinary times.

VOC was able to adapt in everything we do, while recognizing new needs and challenges as they emerged among the populations we serve.

At the height of the pandemic, we identified the need for food and diapers for those we serve. As the world returned to some normalcy, VOC continued to address food insecurity for those in our service area with deliveries of food to households in partnership with organizations like Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, the Westfield Food Pantry and Chicopee Public Schools.

No part of VOC was impacted more than our early education program. Both parents and our amazing staff demonstrated resilience in the education of the young children in our care.

As Jyton Hunter, Director of VOC’s Mt. Carmel Early Education Center, said, “I think both staff and parents/families have exemplified resiliency in many ways over the past year. Staff have also been able to keep up the positivity through the tough times and changes, coming to work with a smile, and working extra hours if needed to meet the needs of the center.”

We also continued on the journey of creating an organization that advances equity, inclusion and anti-racism. We have partnered over the past few years with the Healing Racism Institute and in June of 2021 held a 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, an online learning community designed to further understanding around issues of equity.

I am proud of our organization for demonstrating its resiliency and taking on challenges head on. We continue to provide life-changing supports for our participants. None of this would be possible without support from the VOC board and the extraordinary work of our employees.

Steve Huntley Executive Director Valley Opportunity Council

Partnering to Address Food Insecurity

New and Different Initiatives Implemented in 2021

At the very beginning of the pandemic, VOC saw a significant need in the community for food and some basic needs supplies, including diapers, wipes, and toilet paper. We quickly assembled a team and delivered over 2,700 bags of supplies to households in need all over Hampden County. During Thanksgiving we also delivered turkeys to over 70 households in the area.

“People have called us saying how friendly the driver is and they truly appreciate the service! We have been able to reach seniors and individuals with disabilities who have a hard time making it to Lorraine’s, so this program so far has made a positive difference in many families’ lives!”

Ruben Reyes, Executive Director, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen

As this program came to an end, we heard from members of the community that the need for food continued to increase. During a survey of community members, well over 70% had endorsed experiencing food insecurity. We decided to find out more, from staff, community members, and those providing food supports in the community, and to look for ways to support. We met with pantries and soup kitchens in Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, and Palmer. As a result of these meetings and feedback, we were able to assist two programs with purchasing additional resources that otherwise would not have been available, and also began regular food deliveries to households in partnership with Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, the Westfield Food Pantry, and Chicopee Public Schools. We began weekly food deliveries in February for households that are not able to access food resources due to illness, financial resources, or other reasons, which included a weekly supply of food. The food delivery continues today for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen. Real

During the month of June, VOC held a 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge for staff and the community, organized by a group of staff members. The 21-Day Challenge is based on a theory that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Daily emails began on June 7 and lasted through June 27 with resources – each taking only five minutes to complete–that encouraged learning, engaging and reflecting to make lasting change and growth individually and as a community. Content included short videos, quotes and articles, with the goal of doing one action per day to further understanding around issues of racism, equity and social justice.

VOC also began convening a Diversity and Inclusion Workgroup of nine staff members in the fall, meeting twice monthly. Members are those in administration, supervisors, teachers, and direct care staff. The Workgroup uses a Racial Equity Impact Assessment to review agency policy, procedures and practices. The group has reviewed the agency’s hiring practices, has begun to review the Affirmative Action Plan, and has distributed an agency-wide Diversity and Inclusion Survey. Our Diversity and Inclusion statement has been posted throughout each site across the agency.

with Jyton Hunter, Mt. Carmel Early Education Center Director

How have staff and participants exemplified resiliency this past year?

Overall I think both staff and parents/families have exemplified resiliency in many ways over the past year. Staff have overcome the changes and challenges that COVID continued to bring with the new policies that continued to change and be implemented. They have also been able to keep up the positivity through the tough times and changes, coming to work with a smile, and working extra hours if needed to meet the needs of the center. Parents and families have been accommodating and understanding of the COVID policies and procedures, and the changes that have been made. They have also been accepting of the change in hours the center had to make, and have been understanding of the tough times we have all been through, supporting staff and letting us know what a good job we have been doing this whole time.

How is the program different now?

The last year has brought many changes to the program. We all had to adapt to meetings no longer being in person for the most part and them taking place over Zoom or other virtual forms. Staff and parents had to adapt to parents no longer being allowed in the building at drop off or pick up, and having to put a screening position in place. This took away from the face-to-face interactions with the teachers, and forced the staff and parents to utilize technology more when communicating, whether it was by using the Remind App, phone calls, or emails. Hours at the center have also changed, which parents and families had to adapt to with their work/school schedules.

What are you most excited about or proud of?

I am proud of my team and how they all came together to make these changes happen seamlessly and with no issues. They all pulled it together as a team, and filled in where others couldn’t, making sure the families were comfortable with the changes that were happening. They began to check in with parents more since they were no longer able to see them in person for face-to-face conversations. They were able to adapt to the changes put in place and did so with ease and with positivity, and really made me proud as a Director to see the adaptability of all of them, and for the teamwork to come together, even more so than before.

Early Ed Open House and Job Fair

In August, VOC held an Early Education Job Fair and Child Care Enrollment event. In addition to activities and food for all ages, those interested in becoming part of the VOC Early Education team were able to learn about available positions and career opportunities, and some positions even offered $500 sign-on bonuses. VOC also provided information for those who wanted to become EEC certified or join VOC as a Family Child Care provider. The job fair resulted in some new members being added to the VOC Early Education team.

Families looking for high-quality child care for their children also learned about available VOC options, including Center-Based and Family Child Care openings, and were able to enroll their children at the event.

Life with MS by Desiré Bousquet, a 2021 Adult Education Graduate

Featured in the 2021 Adult Education Anthology

I live with a serious illness called Multiple Sclerosis, and it has made my day to day life become a bit of a challenge. I got diagnosed on November 19th, 2020. The symptoms leading up to my diagnosis were dizziness, doubled vision, and loss of vision. This made it extremely difficult to get around, or get things done.

Since then I have dealt with extreme amounts of pain, with little to no relief. The biggest contributors are back pain and headaches that never end. This has had such a negative impact on my life. Some days I can’t get out of bed. Other days I can’t even do the simplest tasks, such as clean my home. I miss a lot of work, and I struggle to be positive at times. Although there is a lot of negative, there is just as much positive.

After finding out about my diagnosis I joined a group for women with MS and it has made me feel like I’m not so alone. It has shown me that there are people who understand first-hand what I am going through. When I have questions I can always go to the group and ask, and I get so much feedback. This disease has helped me understand just how special normal life was before, but also just how strong I am. I learned a sense of positivity and bravery that I never felt before. Going to appointments alone during a pandemic has been hard. It helped me feel stronger because if I can go to appointments alone and get bad news alone, I can get through anything that this disease wants to throw at me. Whether that be progressing until I end up in a wheelchair, or end up not being able to see again.

I have been studying for my HiSET, working and trying my best to keep up with day to day things. I know now that I can get through anything. I may have MS, but MS doesn’t have me. My message to anyone living with a serious illness at a young age is, even though it’s hard, and doing the simplest of things isn’t always easy, you can do it. You are a fighter and you can do anything you set your mind to. Do not let your disease decide your life for you. You are in control.

In conclusion, having a serious illness at a young age can impact your life in a positive and a negative way. My advice to anyone is to always let the good outweigh the bad, and remain smiling, as well as strong. You get one life, and it should be lived the best way that you possibly can. No illness should dull anyone’s spark at a young age. So as my saying always goes, “Keep shining like all the stars are watching with envy of your glow.”

YouthWorks Highlight

The summer YouthWorks program provides an opportunity for local youth to learn job skills and begin to explore career paths. Each youth participates in job readiness training, mini career pathways courses in emerging markets, career chats with professionals from around the state, and interview practice. Some youth are also able to experience in-person jobs at local businesses. Youth finish the summer with workplace readiness skills and a wealth of information on possible career paths.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Summer YouthWorks Program included virtual Micro-Career Pathway Courses, Career Training, Signal Success workshops, and Project-Based learning opportunities, combined with a slightly-reduced number of in-person work placements.

Keiara Hawes, a Summer YouthWorks Participant, was placed at the City of Chicopee offices in the Planning Department. Keiara was highlighted as Youth Worker of the week!

“Keiara is such a hard worker. She is keeping us organized! She is very smart with the computer and needed very little guidance on how to get to where she needs to go. And if she has any questions at all, she speaks up to get clarification on things without hesitation. Her personality is very warm, extremely nice, and she’s very polite. She will be such an asset to any future employers. We cannot speak highly enough of her. We are very lucky to have Keiara working with us. Thank you!”

Shannon Mucha

The YouthWorks program was such a blast and an experience I cherish to this day! Working in City Hall allowed me to expand my own career scope and consider being a city planner, especially since I want to live in a metropolitan area when I get older. [It] also gave me an idea of the type of work and workspace I want to devote myself to.”

I want to extend my congratulations to you. keep up the good work. It is wonderful to see the opportunities that the Valley Opportunity Council has for all you amazing young adults who are giving it their all to become the best version of themselves… Stand proud!!!!

She is an amazing girl!! She is successful today and will be even more in the future!!!

Keiara puts 110% into everything that she does! Keep up the good work Keiara

Kristen Pope, Senior Clerk at the Planning Department, had this to say about Keiara:

Keiara Hawes

Meg Powers

Paula Sampedro

Beginning Here

Adult Education Graduates

Written by Samaa Mohammed, an Adult Education student

In September, VOC celebrated six individuals who graduated from our Adult Education Program. Although this was a smaller number of graduates due to COVID, all the more reason to celebrate them and their accomplishments! An outdoor graduation celebration was held on the VOC campus and a series of posts on VOC’s Facebook page highlighted each graduate, their accomplishments and their next steps.

The announcement on Facebook read, “[Our graduates] persevered throughout this past year, they worked hard and have accomplished great things. The sky is the limit for them now, some are already on their way to college and full-time employment. So today, we celebrate them.”

Those in the VOC community shared comments on each of the graduates’ posts with messages of congratulations!

Desiré Bousquet

Jazminlee Flores

Autumn DaSilva

Melissa White-Holder

Congratulations Autumn!

Penny Hewitt Great job

Rae-Ann LaBrie Rogers

Judith Kocik

Jakie Santos Congrats Desiré!

Jaqueline Vega

Judith Kocik Congratulations!

Penny Hewitt Way to go Congratulations

Margaret Ann

Timmons

Jordan Guzman

Justin Guzman

Raiden Giroux

Rae-Ann LaBrie Rogers Good job young man!

Kathleen O’Connor Stark Congratulations

Rae-Ann LaBrie Rogers Way to go young man, Congratulations!

Debbie Miner Congratulations!!

Dora Rankin Congratulations!!

Lizzy Ortiz Congratulations!!

Lizzy Ortiz Congratulations!!!

Jaqueline Vega Congratulations!!

Kathleen O’Connor Stark Congratulations

GEAR UP Helps Students with

Over the past year, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) has added six new advisors to its team to work with students, and they have all jumped right into the program’s events and activities. GEAR UP works with students in the following Springfield schools: Putnam, Central, Springfield Conservatory of the Arts & Duggan Academy; and with students in the following Holyoke schools: Holyoke High North Campus & Dean Campus, Peck.

At each site, GEAR UP advisors counsel middle and high school students on the importance of higher education while advising them to have high expectations, study hard, stay in school, and take the correct courses that will allow them to enroll in post-secondary education that supports their career goals.

Program staff ran their first ever Massachusetts College Application Celebrations (MCAC) as hybrid events where students were in person and college representatives were virtual. The events were a great success with hundreds of students receiving college acceptances and scholarships. GEAR UP has also helped more than 200 high school seniors complete their FAFSA.

Staff Connections

Staff that Play Together, Stay Together!

Connection between our staff has always been important to VOC, as it translates to being able to provide the best service to our clients. During COVID, we wanted to make sure we fostered and maintained that connection, and organized a number of staff events. We held a staff olympics with a variety of ‘competitive’ events for staff teams. Staff went all-out decorating team t-shirts and thinking up ‘theme’ songs for their teams. We also had a Fall Fest with food and lawn games. Our annual meeting was even held outdoors with staff and the Board in attendance, along with food trucks, music and games.

Our staff events were held ‘drop-in style’ over the course of a few hours to allow all staff the chance to participate. There was lots of laughter and fun, and staff made lasting connections so that they can work together even more effectively in the future.

VOC Welcomes Participants in New Ways

Making it Easier for Clients to Access VOC Services

Something that VOC is always striving for is to create the best experience for anyone who walks through our doors. How can we make sure that everyone feels welcomed, and is quickly able to get the information and support that they are looking for? These questions have led us to focus on our Welcome Center, which includes:

n A Welcome Center team with a member of the team in each VOC department

n The Welcome Center van to increase our visibility and access - where we can complete intakes, do referrals and answer questions by ‘bringing VOC to you.’ This helps to address a barrier to participants who may live further away, have mobility challenges, or transportation challenges

n A VOC electronic referral and case management system to streamline and centralize the referral and record-keeping process

n And most importantly, a welcoming VOC person that community members can reach and be supported by. This staff person listens to the individual’s needs and can make referrals to multiple programs, whether it be VOC supports or other supports in the community

Trunk or Treat

VOC hosted its first Trunk-or-Treat event for the community in the Mt. Carmel Avenue parking lot, where hundreds of families were able to come dressed in costume and safely trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks.

Over 15 trunks were decorated with participation and engagement from every VOC department. Some trunks were themed, such as Candy Land, and others featured games and prizes.

Families who attended were also able to learn about VOC programs. One grandparent who attended the Trunk or Treat asked, “What does VOC offer? I see your vans, but I’m not sure what you guys do.” She left with connections for Fuel Assistance and Adult Education supports for her family.

Our Trunk or Treat was featured on WWLP-22 News!

Fuel Assistance

Our Fuel Assistance Department had an outpouring of applicants in need of fuel assistance in 2021, especially due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the Fuel Assistance team streamlined many processes, improving how incoming applications are processed and reducing the wait time on applications, which has resulted in more individuals being able to receive timely assistance. The team has also seen a reduction in the volume of emergency cases. The Fuel Assistance team is also implementing a new water and sewer program that will assist clients with paying a portion of their water bills.

The challenges of the pandemic have brought a team-player approach more than ever before. The team has had several events that celebrate each of the staff member’s accomplishments and birthdays, and each morning the staff has self-care time when they are able to do something to encourage themselves to start the day in a positive way.

Real People. Real Help. Real Impact.

Chicopee Farmers’ Market

Many of the families we serve have stated that they do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

VOC continues to host our weekly Chicopee Farmers’ Market each summer in an effort to provide our community members with access to quality produce. Hosting the market also gives local farmers the opportunity to sell their produce to people who would otherwise not have access to their farms.

In addition to the products for sale by local vendors at the weekly Farmers’ Market, VOC also provides community resources and activities throughout the season for all ages.

One of those activities this past summer was a special Back to School event at the Farmers’ Market, where 150 backpacks filled with school supplies were provided for children, along with fun family-friendly activities.

VOC Program Directory

Adult Basic Education

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 3rd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0206

Before/After-School & Summer Programs

Mt. Carmel Center

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 1st Floor Chicopee, MA 01013

Montgomery Street Center 374 Montgomery Street Chicopee, MA 01020 (413) 552-1559

Cabot Manor After-School Program 106 Stonina Drive Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0120

Cabot Manor Summer Camp 106 Stonina Drive Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0120

Cabot Manor Year-Round Youth Work Experience Program 106 Stonina Drive Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0120

Center-Based Child Care Beaudoin Village Early Education & Child Care Center 16 Barret Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 420-0107

Cabot Manor Early Education & Child Care Center 106 Stonina Drive, Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 594-3230

Churchill Homes Early Education & Child Care Center

334 Elm Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 534-2480

Montgomery Street Early Education & Child Care Center

374 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01020

Mt. Carmel Early Education & Child Care Center

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 533-6407

VOC at Sullivan School 400 Jarvis Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 256-8869

VOC at Morgan School 596 South Bridge Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 537-0529

VOC at Lawrence School

156 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 348-2987

Chicopee Farmers Market Chicopee Street, Willimansett (413) 552-1545

Citizenship

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 3rd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0206

Comprehensive Integrated Employment Services (CIES)

300 High Street, 3rd Floor Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 612-0206 ext 217

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 3rd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0206

Family-Based Child Care Locations throughout Hampden County (Birth-School Age) (413) 552-1559 x329

Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP) (Main Office) 300 High Street, 2nd Floor Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 552-1548

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 2nd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013

100 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085 (WG&E office)

GEAR UP

300 High Street, 3rd Floor Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 437-2040

Greening the Gateway Cities (GTGC)

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 2nd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 552-1554

Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP)

300 High Street, 2nd Floor Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 552-1548

Homeless Prevention

300 High Street Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 534-2466

Housing Management 516 Chicopee Street Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 594-3271

Main Street Shelter 300 High Street Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 534-2466

Scattered-Site Permanent Supportive Housing

300 High Street Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 534-2466

Senior Companion Program, AmeriCorps Seniors

516 Chicopee Street Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0229

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 552-1554

Welcome Center and Rental and Mortgage Assistance 300 High Street Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 534-2466

WIOA Out-of-School Youth

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 3rd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0206

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) (Main Office) 300 High Street, 1st Floor Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 534-2460

35 Mt. Carmel Avenue, 2nd Floor Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 612-0214

14 Chestnut Place, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413) 589-1551

94 N. Elm Street, Suite 207 Westfield, MA 01085 (413) 568-1007

YouthWorks

300 High Street, 3rd Floor Holyoke, MA 01040

“We measure our success by the success of individuals and the community.”

– Melissa White, Director of Programs Valley Opportunity Council

“There aren’t many diaper banks in the area, so I started looking for ways and trying to figure out, how can we help? A lot of partners from the community helped out.”

– Flor Diaz

Community Coordinator, VOC WIC Program

“It’s really amazing to have partnerships with the Valley Opportunity Council, who helps provide a service of getting meals to people’s homes.”

– Ruben Reyes, Executive Director Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry

“We

– Julie Copoulos, Executive Director

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce

Watch all of our videos online at vimeo.com/valleyopportunitycouncil

The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce highlighted some of VOC’s partnerships in the community with a series of videos.

love to see our members and community members working together to make the city a brighter place.”

Valley Opportunity Council 35 Mt. Carmel Avenue • Chicopee, MA 01013