Valley Opportunity Council Annual Report 2024 by valleyopp

TOGETHER WE THRI E

Valley Opportunity is more than a set of programs.

At the core, we are in the business of offering a hand up, usually for a limited period of time, to help individuals and families thrive. Throughout VOC’s history we have learned that thriving is a community enterprise, not just an individual journey. We see ourselves as facilitating progress in one’s or a family’s journey to self-sufficiency.

In this year’s Annual Report you will see updates on programs from early education to job training and readiness and nutrition programming and just about everything in between.

It is not unusual for someone to come to VOC for help in learning English, then enrolling their toddler in a VOC early learning program, or finding a home in our affordable or workforce housing apartments. It is also not unusual for others who have accessed our services to become an early education teacher, a supervisor or even program director, helping others on the same journey… paying it back and paying it forward.

We celebrate all those who participate in our programs, our staff, the VOC Board, and the community at large for working together so that all may thrive.

Early Education and Care

After a rigorous and competitive bid process, VOC’s Early Education program has been awarded 827 contracted slots, expanding its ability by 45% to support more families in need of child care financial assistance. This includes an increased number of contracts dedicated to serving families experiencing homelessness, ensuring greater access to critical early education services.

As the numbers of those served by VOC grows, so does our team. VOC has introduced a new Family Support Team, which will work closely with educators to strengthen their engagement with families and enhance overall support services. This expansion reflects VOC’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality care and resources to the families we serve.

‘‘

The people I’ve worked with [at VOC] have always taken the time to understand my learning process and speak with me on what would help me improve. I am now going to be the first in my family to go to college and continue my education, but I would have not started to plan for my future if it wasn’t for VOC’s help.

‘‘ –

Mono

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Success Story

Mono Maldonado, a former program participant in VOC’s Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, now serves others as a VOC staff member, an outreach coordinator for the WIOA program.

“VOC is a place for opportunity”

Erica Maldonado has been familiar with VOC since her teen years, when she participated in the summer camp at Cabot Manor. Fast forward to one year ago, Erica was receiving transitional assistance and needed to find a 20-hour-a-week volunteer opportunity, and thought of VOC. She began to work with the Senior Companion Program (SCP) and now works with the Energy Assistance Program as a Customer Service Representative. Erica is described by Program Director Suaneth Marrero as one of the top performers in the department. Erica states, “In my situation, as a single mom, the hours work for my schedule. get to go to work and feel good about being at work. I don’t think would have been able to find this anywhere else. My son is thriving in VOC Early Education and Care. This allows me to be a mom. VOC is a place for opportunity.”

WIC Updates

This past year, WIC had much to celebrate! The team was able to serve more families providing healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support.

In addition, WIC staff were able to increase breastfeeding rates of moms enrolled in VOC’s WIC program. According to data provided by the State WIC program, moms fully breastfeeding at three months rose from 19.6% to 23.3%, and moms fully breastfeeding at six months rose from 19% to 22%. Both were above the State average.

Holyoke/Chicopee WIC also celebrated 50 years of “good food and a whole lot more!” Staff and families served came together for the celebration at Heritage State Park in Holyoke, complete with the Merry-Go-Round, Fit WIC, story telling, making their own snack and a planting station where the children were able to plant vegetable or flower seeds.

Steve

Huntley Executive Director Valley Opportunity Council

Housing

Coming Summer 2025: Belcher Apartments

Belcher Apartments is a welcoming new development in Chicopee that will offer 25 units specifically designed for households earning at or below 30%, 50%, and 60% of the Area Median Income, alongside options for those able to pay market rent. This property is thoughtfully located near amenities and major thoroughfares.

VOC Housing held a “Housing BBQ Bash” for all residents living in VOC properties in August.

OUR 2024 IMPACT

n 19,663 households kept warm through VOC’s Fuel Assistance Program

n Replaced or repaired heating systems for 1,031 individuals

n 219 households served by the VOC Housing program

n 12 scattered-site apartments for chronically homeless families

n 4,774 volunteer hours by 93 volunteers

n 263 individuals working toward a brighter future through VOC’s Adult Education programs

n 201 individuals developed stronger English language skills that opened up additional educational and job opportunities

n 20 individuals participated in VOC’s Citizenship classes

n 89 seniors received long-term companionship and support, helping them maintain independent living

n 2,057 individuals worked toward greater self-sufficiency for themselves and their families through GEAR UP, WIOA, Out of School, CIES, and Youthworks programs

n 1,125 college applications submitted by GEAR UP program participants; resulting in more than 300 instant college acceptances

n 97 CIES program participants have jobs after completing the program

n 392 individuals were provided emergency shelter and connections to other supports

n 1,873 children thrived in our Early Education Center- and Family-Based programs

n 111 youth participated in summer and after-school programs

n Early Education and Care Transportation provides 330 trips daily

n 141 VOC Family Child Care providers throughout Western Massachusetts

n 957 individuals were provided assistance filing their Federal and State Income Tax Returns through the VITA program

n Case Management services were offered to 264 individuals

n 1,648 Childcare Subsidies were provided to low-income families

n 54 referrals to community supports for survivors of domestic violence who reside in VOC shelters and scattered-site housing

n 7,058 pregnant and new mothers were provided with nutritional support for themselves and their little ones through WIC

n 58 individuals obtained a high school diploma and/or obtained an equivalency certificate or diploma

completed her certificate for Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide through the CIES program.

Raisa Perez successfully completed and graduated from the Holyoke Community College/MGM line cook program. Prior to the pandemic Raisa owned and operated her own restaurant in Springfield, but had to close due to the effects of Covid like many other small business owners. Raisa will be collaborating with a local organization called E for All which helps individuals who are interested in being a business owner or entrepreneur in the city of Holyoke.

Almost 30 trunks were decorated and competed for the coveted ‘best trunk’ title at our 2024 “Trunk or Treat.” VOC staff and the community look forward to this every year!

In November GEAR UP held Massachusetts College Application Celebrations (MCAC) at STEM Academy, William J. Dean Technical High School, and Holyoke High North School with our most successful outcomes to date:

n 153 Seniors participated

n 447 applications completed

n 312 on-the-spot acceptances

n $3,634,281 offered per year in scholarships