GREENFIELD — Community Action Pioneer Valley recently recognized Safe Passage Executive Director Marianne Winters, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and Healthy Bones & Balance instructor Glafyra “Gliffy” Ennis-Yentsch for their contributions to the anti-poverty agency.
Winters earned the Jane Sanders Award, named for a former Community Action Pioneer Valley executive director; Markey received the Sargent Shriver Award, honoring an elected or appointed official who demonstrates outstanding service; and Ennis-Yentsch was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award during Community Action’s annual breakfast on Thursday at Greenfield Community College.
Community Action Youth and Workforce Development Leadership Development Specialist Rob Cahill, who works with Safe Passage — a Northampton-based organization that supports survivors of domestic violence — in his role, said Winters has dedicated 40 years to “leadership, direct action and organizing efforts to end interpersonal violence.” He noted that the two organizations have become strong partners in supporting youth from Easthampton to Greenfield by teaching relationship skills and bystander intervention.
In her acceptance speech, Winters spoke to the work involved in confronting the “unacceptable” in society, and that it’s important to recognize the humanity in supporting a person through “being of service.”
While he could not be in attendance at the breakfast, Markey received the Sargent Shriver Award, named for the founder of the Community Action movement across the United States in the 1960s.
Community Action Pioneer Valley Executive Director Lev BenEzra shared how Markey has been a steadfast partner to the nonprofit, especially as a legislative advocate amid cuts to federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
“This past year, fuel assistance was eliminated from the president’s budget. [The] Community Services Block Grant was zeroed out. Head Start was gutted. Community Action agencies here and across the country sprung into advocacy action,” BenEzra said. “Sen. Ed Markey was in the fight before we even picked up the phone.”
In his pre-recorded acceptance speech, Markey noted his friendship with Shriver.
“I accept this award, not simply as a trophy, but as a call to continue to action,” Markey said. “Together we are going to ensure that America keeps its promises to all of our people. It is an honor to be your partner, your friend and your United States senator.”
The Volunteer of the Year Award presentation featured a video that helped introduce the work of Ennis-Yentsch, who hosts Healthy Bones & Balance classes in Easthampton to keep senior citizens physically strong and socially connected. The program is offered through Community Action RSVP, the volunteer connector service for people ages 55 and older. Healthy Bones & Balance classes are offered across the region and led by volunteers like Ennis-Yentsch, RSVP Director Lindsay Bennett-Jacobs explained.
The video testimonial spoke to the Healthy Bones & Balance program’s impact. In accepting the award, Ennis-Yentsch explained her lifelong dedication to volunteerism, pointing to senior advocacy by U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy in the 1980s that inspired her efforts.
She told attendees to always practice movement and balance whenever possible, like balancing on one foot for 30 seconds while brushing your teeth, or practicing getting up and out of a chair a few times a day.
At the end of breakfast, BenEzra debuted the “Keep Our Neighbors Fed” campaign, which seeks to help feed residents in need through the Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry, with BenEzra noting that 48% of households in Franklin and Hampshire counties face food insecurity. Greenfield Cooperative Bank has donated a $5,000 matching gift to the campaign, which seeks to raise $30,000.
