GREENFIELD — For the 20th year, the Franklin County Interfaith Council and the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice are offering a Peacemaker Award, which recognizes youth in Franklin County who have made positive contributions toward justice and peace.
Community members are invited to identify youth to be recognized for the initiatives they have taken to make a positive impact within their communities or beyond. Nominees may be from grades eight through 12 (or a comparable age if not in school). The deadline for nominations has been extended to May 1.
The categories for recognition are:
■undertaking projects and activities for peace and justice;
■working for racial justice and diversity;
■constructive problem-solving;
■intervening to reach peaceful resolutions of conflict in difficult situations;
■and other.
For more information or to obtain nomination forms, visit traprock.org or email marcia.miller65@gmail.com. Completed forms may be emailed to the same address.
Winners, who will receive special recognition and prize money, will be announced at the end of May.
GREENFIELD — During the COVID-19 health crisis, the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District office at 294 Main St. continues to be staffed in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines.
Though the office is closed to walk-in services until at least May 4, according to a press release from Director Tim Niejadlik, veterans services officers continue to process Veterans Affairs claims and are available by telephone, email and U.S. mail to answer questions. Massachusetts’ veterans benefits continue to be processed and sent out according to the same schedule.
If you are part of the veteran community and have questions or need assistance, call 413-772-1571.
GREENFIELD — A $15,000 grant the city has received through the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Technical Assistance Program will fund consulting services necessary to conduct a market analysis that will inform the Greenfield Downtown Revitalization Plan.
“Although the timing of receiving this grant seems at odds with the economic constraints brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for our downtown businesses, we welcome good news during this time more than any, and this is really good news,” said Mayor Roxann Wedegartner. “It means when we’re ready, we can continue the downtown revitalization plans that were starting up when we got hit by the pandemic.”
“Applying for this grant was one of the first steps we took in our efforts to conduct a true market analysis of just where we’re at with downtown businesses, what businesses can thrive here, and what we need to do to seek them out and to support existing businesses,” said MJ Adams, director of community and economic development. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Adams noted the consulting work that the grant will fund is not likely to begin until late summer or early fall, “after we’re back up and running, and can see what the impact of the pandemic is on our businesses.”