Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Director
Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness
pschwartz77@gmail.com; 413-219-5658
Elected Officials Will Convene to Celebrate Jobs for Homeless Families,
Honor Businesses
WHAT: The second annual celebration of Secure Jobs, a jobs program for homeless families and individuals in Western Massachusetts. This initiative, supported by both state and private funds, has provided employment services and contributed to housing stability for over 200 households across the four counties of Western Massachusetts. This event will acknowledge the success of the program’s participants and will honor leading business partners that have made employment possible.
WHEN: Friday, February 6
10 am – 11:30 am
The Kittredge Center
Holyoke Community College
303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke
WHO: In addition to hearing from newly employed parents and individuals from across the four Western counties, the program will formally recognize the partnership of a dozen businesses with acknowledgment from approximately 20 state legislators, 7 mayors, and state officials, including: Senate President Rosenberg, Senator Downing, Senator Lesser, Senator Welch, Rep. Ashe, Rep. Boldyga, Rep. Cariddi, Rep. Farley-Bouvier, Rep. Finn, Rep. Kocot, Rep. Kulik, Rep. Mark, Rep. Puppolo, Rep. Scibak, Rep. Story, Rep. Tosado, Rep. Vega, Rep. Velis, Rep. Wagner, Rep. Whipps Lee, as well as DHCD Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay and Deputy Secretary Carolyn Kirk of the Office of Housing and Economic Development, North Adams Mayor Alcombright, Pittsfield Mayor Bianchi, Chicopee Mayor Kos, Greenfield Mayor Martin, Northampton Mayor Narkewicz, Springfield Mayor Sarno and West Springfield Mayor Sullivan. Community colleges, chambers of commerce, career centers, foundations and dozens of housing, child care, health care and other providers working together to end family homelessness in Western Massachusetts will also be represented.
WHY: In the face of the ongoing crisis of family homelessness, this initiative offers the promise of long-term solutions through the provision of job skills, training, and stable employment. It reflects the necessity of collaboration across private and public sectors and the success such collaboration can bring.
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