CHARLEMONT — The region’s nonprofit employees gathered last week as part of the West County People Supporting People program to discuss their organizations’ needs and how they might help each other.
“There are many organizations in Greenfield and West County that are not connected,” said Mary McClintock, community collaboration coordinator with Community Action Pioneer Valley. “We would like to connect them.”
Last week’s gathering at the Charlemont Fairgrounds brought together nonprofits that help with food access, housing, health care, education and more. The meeting was organized by Community Action, the Mary Lyon Foundation and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).
“We all have different connections in the community,” McClintock explained, “and we bring them all together for the event.”
More than 20 people sat at picnic tables discussing what each group can contribute. This was the second such event, with a third gathering tentatively planned for September.
“If someone is in crisis, it is hard to weave through bureaucracy,” said Kristen Tillona-Baker, executive director of the Mary Lyon Foundation. She explained this event gives a “warm handoff” for different organizations and people to help each other.
Tillona-Baker explained the three organizers met while trying to help their clients, and decided to come together to create a cohesive West County network that would serve many different needs.
Charlemont Selectboard Chair Marguerite Willis started off the program by giving a speech calling for unity and action in the county.
“It is crucial — as we are amid a generational shift, an unsettled economy and a technology revolution — that we understand, as Yogi Berra said, ‘If you don’t know where you’ve been, how will you know where you are going?’” Willis said.
Representatives from each organization spoke about the needs of the clients they work with, including needs for housing, youth and senior programs, substance abuse recovery support programs, transportation and health care, as well as the interconnectedness of these issues.
Phoebe Walker, director of community services with FRCOG, took notes last week in two categories: “what people can provide” and “how people need help.”
Not only can the organizations help each other, but the event also serves to connect clients. In a subsequent interview, McClintock recounted, for example, how she learned about United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Western Massachusetts at the event. UCP provides equipment for people with disabilities. She later connected her neighbor to the organization for help getting equipment for her home.
“Both these meetings have been absolutely successful,” McClintock said.
Contact Bella Levavi at blevavi@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.