The Kresge Foundation Extends $150,000 in support for Live Well Springfield’s Climate Change, Health & Equity Project

Springfield Comprehensive Housing Plan Resident Advisory Committee Kickoff

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:41:19 GMT

In February, the Transforming Communities Initiative partnered with the City of Springfield and CZB Inc. to host the first of four Resident Advisory Committee meetings in support of the upcoming Comprehensive Springfield Housing Plan. The meeting brought residents together with housing experts and city partners to ensure that the lived experiences of Springfield community members help shape the direction of the plan.

The Housing Plan will be guided by both a Steering Committee and a Resident Advisory Committee. The Steering Committee includes a diverse cross-section of city leaders, with representatives from city government, housing authorities, real estate and development, financial institutions, nonprofit and public health organizations, and local industry.

The Resident Advisory Committee, convened by the Live Well Springfield Coalition, includes grassroots organizing partners, Way Finders’ Voices of the People resident advocate group, and resident advocates from Live Well Springfield’s Transforming Communities Initiative.

Together, these two committees bring a blend of policy, community, and market expertise to guide housing strategies that reflect both institutional knowledge and lived experience.

The City of Springfield selected CZB, Inc. as the consultant to develop Springfield’s first comprehensive housing plan. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts will serve as the community engagement partner, convening the Resident Advisory Committee and advising on CZB’s outreach efforts.

During the session, residents engaged in discussion with Charles Buki of CZB about the challenges they are experiencing in Springfield’s housing landscape. Participants raised concerns about vacant properties in neighborhoods, the struggles faced by small landlords, and the burden of rapidly rising property taxes for homeowners. Residents also discussed the impact of inflation, the prevalence of low-quality rental housing, and the “cliff effect” experienced by individuals and families attempting to transition out of homelessness or government assistance.

These conversations are an important step in ensuring the housing plan reflects real community needs. The Transforming Communities Initiative will continue working with the City of Springfield and CZB through September to support community engagement as data collection, analysis, and creation of strategies for the housing plan move forward.

The City of Springfield Comprehensive Housing Plan Process will continue through September. This April you can expect to see CZB hosting Open Houses throughout the City, inviting community members to view the initial research findings about the Springfield housing market and give feedback about the issues they’ve seen in their interactions with the housing market.

Building Partnerships to Adapt to Flooding in the Connecticut River Watershed

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:53:53 GMT

This month, Live Well Springfield (LWS) and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) partnered with the City of Springfield to host a listening session on inland flooding. Inland flooding happens when rain overwhelms local drainage systems, for example, when basements flood or when streets and sidewalks turn into rivers and ponds during heavy rain.

Participants heard directly from Chris Cignoli, Director of the Springfield Department of Public Works (DPW), about the city's history and infrastructure related to waterways, piping, and flood prevention. Residents gained a deeper understanding of how city systems respond to flooding, what the DPW is responsible for, and the budget constraints the department faces. Chris encouraged residents to contact the city using the local 311 line to report potential flood risks or flooding-related issues, which creates a formal service request that must be investigated.

The workshop centered resident voices and explored how flooding from heavy rainfall and the Connecticut River is impacting daily life across Springfield. Residents shared firsthand accounts of flooded basements, eroding yards, blocked storm drains, and chronic street flooding, revealing how widespread and interconnected these challenges are across neighborhoods.

Working in small groups, participants mapped the areas in their neighborhoods most affected by flooding, connecting personal experiences with broader patterns of risk across the city.

The information shared by residents will help inform Springfield's upcoming 10-year infrastructure plan, as well as regional flood risk reports being developed by PVPC and FRCOG.

The Fight Against Biomass Continues…

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:50:30 GMT

Photo: SCJC coalition members outside of the Springfield DPW to make their stance against the biomass plant known!

For more than 15 years, SCJC and Arise for Social Justice have fought alongside East Springfield residents and community allies to stop the construction of a toxic biomass power plant in their neighborhood. The fight has included organizing residents, raising public awareness about the impacts of biomass burning, challenging permits, and pursuing multiple rounds of legal appeals at both the municipal and state levels. The repeated resurgence despite community opposition has earned the project the nickname “The Zombie Plant”.

On Wednesday, February 4th, SCJC and other community partners attended the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, where the board reinstated the building permits for the wood-burning power plant proposed for Page Boulevard in the East Springfield Neighborhood. The Springfield Zoning Board was compelled by the State Land Court to reinstate the building permits, moving the project one step closer to breaking ground.

SCJC and Arise are not backing down, Springfield residents deserve clean air and a future that prioritizes renewable energy. SCJC, Arise, and other community allies will continue the fight by challenging state level clean energy incentives that Palmer Renewable Energy plans to rely on to move the project forward.

To join East Springfield and SCJC in the fight, Contact Susan Theberge of SCJC at susteheberge@icloud.com to get involved.

“ The people of Springfield have the right to clean air. We do not want a polluting biomass plant increasing the city’s already high rates of respiratory illness and contributing to the escalating climate emergency. The longstanding fight against the biomass plant is a clear indicator of the community's view on this issue, ” – Teniel Rhiney, Arise for Social Justice, Live Well Partner.

“We’re going to stay and stand here together and fight to the end,” –Charlie Holmes, SCJC, Live Well Partner

SCJC and Biomass in the News - where to find out more

Press Release: Kresge Foundation awards grant to Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and Live Well Springfield to combat climate change, improve community health

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:06:54 GMT

Springfield, MA – The Kresge Foundation has awarded the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts , as convener of the Live Well Springfield coalition, a grant of $225,000 per year for three years to address climate change and protect people’s health in communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat, flooding, air and water pollution, and chronic and infectious disease.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is one of 32 organizations nationwide receiving grant funding as part of The Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change, Health and Equity initiative. Live Well Springfield partners on the grant include Arise for Social Justice, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Way Finders, and Springfield Climate Justice Coalition. With this funding, the Live Well Springfield Climate Change, Health, and Equity Committee (CCHE) will expand its efforts to build a healthier, more resilient Springfield.

The Live Well Springfield CCHE Committee will:

Work with the City of Springfield to build awareness and adoption of the Community Choice Power Supply Program, which uses collective buying power to secure stable, affordable electricity from cleaner, renewable sources. Live Well Springfield successfully advocated for the City to adopt this program, with support from a previous Kresge grant.
Help update the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, ensuring it reflects current challenges and community needs.
Explore housing development policies that protect residents from extreme heat.
Continue to advance statewide advocacy against polluting biomass facilities.
Host community workshops on climate resilience.

“Kresge’s continued investment in Springfield is vital to sustaining our momentum in advancing climate justice. We feel proud and empowered to stand tall among the many major cities that were also selected for this honor,” said Samantha Hamilton, Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts .

“Collaboration is critical to address the impacts of climate change,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. “These Kresge funds will help us advance strategies originally planned with the city and other partners before the EPA unexpectedly terminated the $20 million Community Change grant. We are so grateful that private philanthropy continues to step up and support local and regional climate mitigation work.”

“The human health impacts of climate change are profound, and while climate change affects us all, it hits some communities harder than others. The pollution that creates dangerous heat waves and severe storms causes the most harm in communities already experiencing persistent health inequities, like lack of access to safe housing and quality health care, as well as chronic illnesses and respiratory disease, said Shamar Bibbins, Kresge Environment Program managing director . “Equitable solutions must be driven by the communities most affected, and doing so in partnership with trusted health practitioners and institutions can amplify local innovations and build broader momentum for change.”

“Long-term change in cities requires strong and sustained cross-sector partnerships. Working together, we ensure that all of us, no matter who we are or where we live, have the opportunity to be healthy and to thrive. Climate action is fundamentally a public health imperative—offering transformative opportunities to reduce mental health burdens, chronic diseases, and infectious disease spread while advancing health equity for all," said Monica Valdes Lupi, Kresge Health Program managing director .

For more information on Kresge's Climate Change, Health & Equity initiative, click here .

ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts supports communities in their efforts to become measurably healthier and more equitable through community engagement, convening collaborative partnerships, communications, data analysis, research and evaluation, and policy advocacy. We are committed to continuous learning, fostering collaboration, and amplifying the voices of those we serve. For more information, visit PublicHealthWM.org

###

Age-Friendly Joins the Clean Slate Initiative

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:29:47 GMT

Over the past six years, the Age-Friendly Coalition has dedicated its efforts to gaining insights into the challenges and needs of older adults in relation to housing, transportation, and community support. The report “Healthy Aging with a Criminal Record in Hampden County MA: A Health Impact Assessment,” (HIA) revealed that older adults have been denied housing due to having a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORIs) despite these records being decades old. This obstacle has made it challenging for many older adults to access stable housing.

The HIA includes six potential policy changes to help older adults with CORIs secure housing:

Establish formal partnerships between housing and service providers;
Limit tenant selection criteria to the two types of convictions that HUD denies;
Allow applicants to submit evidence of mitigating circumstances before denial;
Create explicit criteria for denial that is available publicly;
Share statistics about denials;
Allow family members to house people with a CORI.

Housing is essential to a person’s overall well-being. Securing housing is pivotal for a successful reentry into the community. Advocacy is needed to address the life-long barriers a CORI creates, especially for older adults. Because of this, the Point32Health Foundation provided an additional $94,000 grant to Live Well Springfield to advocate for “clean slate” legislation. The Clean Slate Initiative is a national coalition working with community-based organizations across the country to pass and implement laws that automatically seal the records of people who are eligible, and expand eligibility. The Age-Friendly Coalition, Men of Color Health Awareness , and New North Citizens Council have joined the Clean Slate Initiative with the goal of making Massachusetts the thirteenth state to enact these types of legislation. This would help change the lives of tens of thousands of people in the Commonwealth.

To join the movement contact Andrea Freeman .

LWS Hosts Workshop for Largest Cohort of Resident Advisors Fall 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:49:46 GMT

In late September, resident advisors (RAs) from the Public Health Institute of Western MA gathered at Regreen Springfield for a Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop. RAs from the following 5 coalitions shared successes, challenges, and key learnings. A team of RAs representing each initiative led presentations that sparked dialogue, allowing everyone to learn from one another, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of community efforts.

Intergenerational Social Connections (ISC): Focuses on bringing youth and older adults together in Springfield to reduce loneliness, build relationships, and strengthen community across generations.

Live Well Springfield Climate Change & Health Equity (CCHE): Focuses on advancing community choice energy for Springfield, creating strategies to address extreme heat, and developing a new Climate Change Action Plan for the city.

Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI): Focuses on addressing Springfield’s housing needs by improving housing conditions, increasing affordability, and expanding opportunities for homeownership.

Healthy Air Network: Focuses on monitoring air quality, exploring transportation issues, developing an innovative app, and tackling climate change challenges.

The workshop also served as a warm welcome and orientation for new RAs joining the committees, especially our new Parent Advisors for the Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), which is focused on youth mental health and problem gambling prevention. This was the largest cohort of resident advisors for the Public Health Institute and Live Well Springfield yet.

Kresge's PathBreakers

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 18:54:04 GMT

Samantha Hamilton Named A Pathbreaker by the Kresge Foundation

Last month, the Kresge Foundation unveiled their 2024 Annual Report, which featured a dozen PathBreakers from across the country. Our Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement, Samantha Hamilton, was one of the twelve remarkable individuals highlighted for their work in their communities of creating opportunities for people too often left behind. Named Pathbreakers for cutting through the noise, red tape and all the other obstacles to forge new solutions for American cities. She was quoted saying, “It’s one thing to hear people’s voices and not do anything. It’s another to hear their voices and incorporate it in the next steps.” We are so proud of Samantha and are fortunate to work alongside her. We can't wait to see what the Live Well Springfield coalition will achieve next under her leadership.

Read more at Kresge.org and catch their podcast episode that featured Samantha .

Live Well Springfield Hosts Its First Housing Resource Fair

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:26:26 GMT

H ousing Resource Fair Recap

Last month, our Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) Committee hosted a Housing Resource Fair at the Elias Brookings Elementary School, welcoming over 200 participants, including families, volunteers, vendors, and staff. The event was held in collaboration with our TCI-funded partners, ARISE for Social Justice , Springfield No One Leaves , Neighbor to Neighbor , Way Finders , and our dedicated Resident Advisors . We are proud that almost 50 organizations offering valuable information and resources to support a wide range of housing needs, from rental assistance and first-time homebuyer programs to shelter services and home modifications support, were present at the event. The Housing Resource Fair served as a powerful gathering point for community members at all stages of their housing journey.

A resident that attended the event shared, “ I didn’t know there was so many resources in housing, education, mental health organizations that help you.” Another attendee shared, “ This fair was a blessing of knowledge, and I will use it in my outreach.” We also received great feedback from our vendors with one vendor sharing, “ It is great seeing so many different resource vendors that are completely relevant to my work.”

The TCI advisory committee was able to share their progress in our housing advocacy work, and due to the positive feedback provided by attendees, vendors, and volunteers, we plan to bring the Housing Resource Fair back again next year.

The Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative-TCI is a committee comprised of community organizations, grassroots organizations, and residents working together to address the housing needs in Springfield, using a policy, systems, and environmental change (PSE) framework to advocate for local and statewide change. The committee’s work is funded by Trinity Health and the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds.

You're Invited! June 28 Housing Resource Fair

Fri, 30 May 2025 16:16:59 GMT

Register today!

Join us for a FREE community Housing Resource Fair hosted by Live Well Springfield’s Transforming Communities Initiative!

Connect with housing assistance organizations and experts,
Discover resources and information for renters, homeowners, and aspiring buyers, and
Learn about vital housing advocacy.

Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with a Kids' Activity Zone and delicious Food Trucks! Plus, the first 100 registrants receive a special goodie bag!

Mark your calendar: Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00 am -2:00 pm at Brookings Elementary School.

Vendor Opportunities

This family-friendly event is designed to connect Springfield residents – including renters, current homeowners, and aspiring homeowners – with vital information, resources, and direct support related to housing.

Why Participate as a Vendor?

Direct Engagement: Connect face-to-face with a diverse and engaged audience actively seeking housing-related services, resources, and information.
Community Impact : Showcase your commitment to supporting the Springfield community and empowering residents on their housing journeys.
Networking Opportunities : Collaborate with other housing assistance organizations and community partners.
Visibility : Increase awareness of your programs, services, and initiatives.

Springfield Hosts National Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) Learning Institute

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 19:31:12 GMT

This month, Live Well Springfield Coalition proudly served as the host site for the National Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) Learning Institute at the Marriott Hotels and Conference Center in Downtown Springfield. The event brought together grantees from nine awarded sites across the country, with participants traveling from as far as Illinois, California, and Michigan.

Led by our national Trinity Health partners, Jaime Dircksen , Vice President of Community Health and Well-Being, and Beth Geno-Otto , Manager of Operations & Community Initiatives, the conference provided a dynamic peer-learning environment. Grantees shared best practices and strategies for addressing community-based challenges through a policy, systems, and environmental change framework, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across sites.

Across the nine sites, grantees are tackling critical issues such as housing, food security, neighborhood safety, and mental health. These focus areas were identified through an inclusive, community-driven process following a review of each hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment and additional local assessments conducted over the past two years.

During the three-day conference, attendees were welcomed by Jessica Collins , Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) , along with Robert Roose , President of Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford, CT, and Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT. Dan Keenan, Vice President of Government Relations for Trinity Health of New England, also provided remarks.

Additional special guests included PHIWM Board President Luz Lopez , Board Chair Dr. Edna Rodriguez , and Valerie L. Powell-Stafford , President of Saint Francis Hospital and Syed A. Hussain , MD Chief Clinical Officer.

As part of the conference, grantees participated in three community tours across Hartford, Springfield, and Holyoke, each focused on key issues: housing, food access, and mental health. These tours were coordinated by local community sites with support from grassroots organizations working within their respective coalitions.

Highlights from the tours included:

A visit to Wellspring Harvest Greenhouse , where Trinity Health’s initial investment through the first round of TCI funding helped provide low-interest loans to support community development.
A stop at Gardening the Community and Farm Store , where youth leaders discussed urban agriculture and preparations for the spring planting season.
A thought-provoking conversation on housing development led by Keith Fairey, CEO and President of Way Finders .

We extend our deepest gratitude to the many organizations that welcomed grantees and shared both the challenges and successes of their work, including Arise for Social Justice , Neighbor 2 Neighbor , Gardening the Community , Wellspring Harvest Cooperative , the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts , Revitalize CDC , and Way Finders .

Our community partners showcased their dedication to creating safe, sustainable housing, advocating for tenant rights, and ensuring that families have access to healthy homes and thriving neighborhoods. Their work uplifts communities, allowing residents to live in safe, stable environments where they can grow and thrive.

As the conference came to a close, Jaime Dircksen shared her heartfelt gratitude and underscored the importance of continuing this work, despite the challenges posed by the current political climate. Trinity Health remains steadfast in its commitment to investing in the nine sites throughout the remaining three years of this five-year grant.

Together, we will continue building healthier, stronger communities through collective action and shared vision.

We are hiring: Live Well Springfield Program Manager

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:11:11 GMT

Program Manager for Green and Resilient Springfield

The Live Well Springfield Coalition seeks a dynamic Program Manager to lead the Green and Resilient Springfield Project in collaboration with the City of Springfield. This initiative is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the next three years, focusing on advancing climate change mitigation, environmental justice, and green infrastructure development in Springfield.

We are looking for a candidate with the following:

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Experience in facilitation and public speaking.
Expertise in community engagement and climate resilience.
Experience working with municipal government.
A strong connection to the Springfield community.

Live Well Springfield is convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Learn more about the position and how to apply.

For questions, please contact us at 413-794-7739. Join us in making Springfield a more green, resilient, and just community!

Climate Justice Mural with Fresh Paint Springfield Unveiled

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 18:52:25 GMT

Mural in the North End of Springfield

by World Renowned Artist Betsy Casañas

On July 12th, the Climate Change & Health Equity (CCHE) Coalition hosted a ribbon-cutting event at 470 Chestnut Street in celebration of the unveiling of our Climate Justice Mural with Fresh Paint Springfield and Common Wealth Murals. The mural brings together arts, culture, and activism. This work was done in partnership with community residents, resident advisors, and climate justice activists. The mural was painted by world-renowned artist Betsy Z. Casañas  who engaged the community. Her work has been well received in the city, neighboring communities like Holyoke, and worldwide.

The painting depicts  Brendaliz Cepeda , a Bomba y Plena dancer with  Bomba de Aqui , and plants native to Puerto Rico which purify the air. Once named the asthma capital of the United States, Springfield now comes in 12th in part because of community efforts to address respiratory health needs and indoor air quality including the Healthy Homes Initiative. The powerful stance of the Bomba dancer represents the importance of taking action NOW on environmental justice issues.

"This mural is a representation of community, partnerships, and trust. The coalition's commitment to work with diverse community partners, such as activists, arts culture, and the economic sector, is the only way we can significantly impact city government and the community," said Live Well Springfield Director Samantha Hamilton.

The Live Well Springfield CCHE Initiative, funded by the Kresge Foundation, is advocating for Community Choice Energy and implementation of recommendations in the Race and Health Equity Impact Assessment. Communications funding from Trinity Health of New England and Blues to Green supported the development and creation of our beautiful climate justice mural in which community members can see themselves. The residents of the North End of Springfield are almost 65% Puerto Rican natives.  

"Blues to Green is a committed partner in the work for climate justice, leveraging the power of the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival to connect this issue with a large audience, raise awareness, and inspire collective action for change. In the past few years, we have incorporated programming into the festival to connect arts, culture, and activism around the issue of climate justice." shared Kristen Neville, Executive Director of Blues to Green.

Live Well Springfield Resident Advisor Katrelia Bryant shared, "this is a beautiful artwork representing heritage, pride, love, and community bonding." 

The two-year project was carried out in partnership with  Fresh Paint Springfield ,  Common Wealth Murals ,  Blues to Green ,  Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival , and  Trinity Health of New England Mercy Medical Center . 

Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:11:38 GMT

On May 31, the Live Well Springfield Age-friendly Coalition , in collaboration with the Aging Unbound Department of Alder Affairs Outreach Division , hosted an Age-friendly Health and Tech Showcase for over 125 older adult residents and community participants at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center.

In the morning attendees participated in two workshops for older adults and caregivers. Tech Spring and Live Well Springfield hosted a workshop with 30 - 40 older adults and caregivers to understand their motivation and hesitation about health solutions at home. The Alliance for Digital Equity hosted the second workshop introducing a cyber senior peer-to-peer model. Participants had the opportunity to visit vendors specializing in health, tech, wellness, and the digital divide throughout the duration of the event. 

Attendees heard remarks from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, State Representative Bud L. Williams, Public Health Institute's Executive Director Jessica Collins, and Eliana Gutierrez of the Department of Elder Affairs. 

Press Coverage :

Highlights from our event can be seen below in our recap video.

Springfield Declared Nation’s First Triple Designated City

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 20:31:14 GMT

State Representative Bud Williams presented the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts with a citation at our Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase, in the end of May, 2023, for advancing the goals of our age-friendly initiative in Springfield.

Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase in Honor of Older Americans Month

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:50:00 GMT

On May 31, 2023, the Live Well Springfield Age-friendly Coalition, in collaboration with the Aging Unbound Department of Alder Affairs Outreach Division, hosted an Age-friendly Health and Tech Showcase for over 125 older adult residents and community participants at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center.

In the morning attendees participated in two workshops for older adults and caregivers. Tech Spring and Live Well Springfield hosted a workshop with 30 - 40 older adults and caregivers to understand their motivation and hesitation about health solutions at home. The Alliance for Digital Equity hosted the second workshop introducing a cyber senior peer-to-peer model. Participants had the opportunity to visit vendors specializing in health, tech, wellness, and the digital divide throughout the duration of the event. 

Attendees heard remarks from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, State Representative Bud L. Williams, Public Health Institute's Executive Director Jessica Collins, and Eliana Gutierrez of the Department of Elder Affairs. 

Press Coverage :

Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase

Wed, 24 May 2023 18:01:54 GMT

In Celebration of Older Americans Month

The Live Well Springfield Coalition (LWS) Age-Friendly Coalition, in collaboration with the S pringfield Aging Unbound, Department of Elder Affairs Outreach Division, is hosting an  Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase  in honor of Older Americans Month. This event will be on  May 31st from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Raymond A. Jordan Center. This is also a celebratory event as we acknowledge our six years of advocating for older adults issues in Springfield. Our efforts over these past few years has led to Springfield being the first Age and Dementia Friendly community with an Age-Friendly hospital system. We have lifted the health inequities of older adults aging with a Criminal Offender Record Info-CORI in Hampden County and have helped to share the lived experiences of older adults in our community.

The Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase will bring together age-friendly partners focused on tech solutions for older adults, including health and wellness, and various services. We've been working to bridge the digital divide of tech, care, and access for older adults. Over the last two years the coalition has also worked with Tech Spring to develop a community engaged process to understand the tech and innovations need of the community, through a human-centered design approach. We have come to learn that caregiving and the roles of caregivers through tech is a top priority.

Live Well Springfield comprises 30-plus community partners convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. The coalition's primary initiatives are the Age and Dementia Friendly Cities, Transforming Community Initiatives, and Climate Change Health, and Equity among others. The coalition strongly believes that systemic change cannot happen without the people that are most directly impacted by the issues at the center of the conversation.

Join us on May 31st for this fun, innovative, and informative event. Register HERE . If you have questions about the event contact Samantha Hamilton at: shamilton@publichealthwm.org.

The Kresge Foundation Extends Funding to Climate Change, Health & Equity Initiative

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 16:42:11 GMT

Kresge Awards Live Well Springfield $150K More to Continue Work

At the 2023 Kresge Convening Conference, CEO and President Rip Rapson announced, all grantees under the Climate Change and Health Equity Initiative (CCHE) will have nine more months to continue to address climate change, health, and equity issues in their respective communities. The $150,000 award is to support Live Well Springfield’s Climate Justice Initiative through the end of 2024. We and our Springfield partners at Way Finders and ARISE for Social Justice, who also attended the conference, are grateful for the continued support. It allows us to keep advancing policy advocacy on Community Choice Energy, the Race & Health Equity Impact Assessment Requirement, and work to address the needs of those impacted the most by climate change.

The three-day conference took place in San Diego, California, between April 16th and 19th.

Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Samantha Hamilton was a panel guest alongside other statewide grantees which shared strategies and best practices for moving climate policies on local, statewide, and national levels.

The Coalition is excited and grateful for the continued support from the Kresge Foundation and the growing friendships and connections made by the staff, technical assistance team, and fellow grantees.

Springfield City Council Approves Community Choice Energy

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:43:02 GMT

Live Well Springfield Climate Change Health and Equity coalition has advocated through the City Council Sustainability and Environmental Subcommittee for the support of Community Choice Energy (CCE) in Springfield. On December 5th, the subcommittee called for a vote through the City Council, and the council members unanimously supported it. CCE is an energy-supply option that would allow the City of Springfield to get up to 100% of its electricity from clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Eversource would still provide our energy, and we would still pay our electric bills to Eversource.

This vote is one step towards bringing forth energy price stability and climate resilience for residents in Springfield. Our CCE Factsheet ( Hoja de hechos ) highlights the further steps we need to take to have CCE in Springfield. The coalition will continue to educate community residents about Community Choice Energy through its CCE informative video and community outreach. The coalition will now advocate to the mayor and city staff to see what department will take up the charge to implement CCE in the institution.

Let your voice be heard today by signing the Springfield Community Choice Energy Petition ( Petición de Springfield Community Choice Energy (Opciones Comunitarias de Energía ). To learn more about Community Choice Energy, visit www.livewellspringfield.org/cce.

Media coverage

¿Qué temas cree que son los más urgentes en Springfield?

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:27:55 GMT

Encuesta Comunitaria

Invitamos a los residentes de Springfield a dar su opinión sobre las necesidades más urgentes de la ciudad de Springfield. Mercy Medical Center tiene hasta $350,000 por año durante 3 años a través de la Iniciativa de Transformación de Comunidades (TCI) para abordar la salud y la justicia racial en Springfield. ¡Ayúdanos a decidir cómo gastarlo! Mire este breve video para obtener más información.

Hay varios eventos comunitarios que se llevarán a cabo durante la próxima semana. Si no puede asistir a uno, está bien, aún puede participar respondiendo nuestra encuesta en línea:

Haga clic aquí

Aprende más!

What are the most pressing needs in Springfield?

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 15:35:13 GMT

Take our survey to share your opinion

We invite Springfield residents to give their feedback on the most pressing needs for the City of Springfield. Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health of New England has funding to address health needs in Springfield and we are seeking input from residents on the top health issues. Watch this short video to learn more!

There are several community events taking place over the coming week. If you can't attend one, that is ok, you can still weigh in by taking our online survey:

Learn more about the Transforming Communities Initiative prioritization process.

Springfield Residents, We Need Your Input!

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 02:10:42 GMT

Help Mercy Choose Topic for Transforming Communities Grant

Please join us for a brief presentation and community conversation to discuss the next round of Transforming Communities work in Springfield. Mercy Medical Center has up to $350,000 per year for 3 years through the Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) to address health and racial justice in Springfield. Help us decide how to spend it.

Thursday, Oct 6, 2022, 5:30-7:00 pm, Brightwood Library Community Room, 359 Plainfield Street

Thursday, Oct 13, 2022, 12:30-1:30 pm, Zoom

Can't attend? You can provide feedback through an online survey! Details to come.

Climate Justice Mural Collaboration with Fresh Paint and Jazz and Roots Festival

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 15:32:23 GMT

Paint Party held at Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival

Live Well Springfield is joining with Fresh Paint Springfield and Springfield Jazz & Roots to do a mural on climate justice. Check out the pictures from the Aug 13th Paint Party at Jazz & Roots!

Media Coverage:

Masslive

WWLP

Springfield Jazz & Roots Murals

Sign the Petition for Renewable Energy

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 15:32:21 GMT

Ask Springfield Leaders to Support Community Choice Energy

The Climate Crisis is already costing Springfield and its residents money, time, and energy; it is also harming vulnerable residents’ health and well-being, the majority of whom are Black and Hispanic.

Community Choice Aggregation/Energy is a program that is legislatively enabled in Massachusetts and Springfield can use CCA/E to switch every household in the city who is on basic electricity service from Eversource over to 100% clean energy.

To make CCE a reality we need to tell our city leaders that we want renewable energy. Sign the petition saying you want your electricity coming from green energy sources.

Learn More about Community Choice Energy

TCI Site Visit

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 14:13:14 GMT

Earlier this year, the TA partners met with local community-based organizations including New North Citizen's Council , Deborah Hunt Center , Arise for Social Justice , Way Finders , the City of Springfield Housing & Community Development, and resident advisors. They came together to learn, share, network, and strengthen relations as we journey to advance the goals and objectives of the initiative. Community partners shared their perspectives on the needs, resources, opportunities, and obstacles related to supporting the housing, homelessness, and mental health needs of residents living in Springfield. This is a community-level grant initiative funded by Trinity Health, working to advance racial justice and health equity in Springfield.

Go Fresh Expands to Winter Market

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 02:30:02 GMT

Wellspring Receives Health New England Grant

The Wellspring Cooperative’s GoFresh Mobile Farmers’ Market received a three-year, $150,000 grant from Health New England to enable Wellspring to double the number of people it provides access to fresh, healthy, local foods; enact a pilot program to expand the GoFresh farmers market throughout winter (the current program operates from May to October), providing year-round access to health foods; partner with local health clinics to establish a food-referral program that meets the needs of patients with chronic conditions through education and access to healthy foods; and continue to support minority and immigrant farmers via the Wellspring Harvest greenhouse program in the Indian Orchard neighborhood.

Residents Advocating at Annual Jazz & Roots Festival

shudson@publichealthwm.org (Sarita Hudson) — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 17:09:13 GMT

Call for Action: Resident Advocates at the Jazz and Roots Festival

At the Annual Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival , the Live Well Springfield Climate Change, Health & Equity Resident Advocate spoke about the importance of climate crisis and race and health equity injustices. The coalition strongly believes that change cannot happen without the most important people impacted by the issues at the table.

Emma Woods is a retired school teacher who joined the LWS Climate Justice Initiative wanted to understand why her granddaughter had asthma in her late thirties and why her husband had COPD and passed away but was not a chronic smoker. She shared, "I want to understand why this was happening, and I wanted to stay involved for the long haul." When residents can lead with their "WHY" of getting involved in climate issues, they invest more in the process and the outcome of making change.

LWS Resident Advocate Amari Dewberry shared her urgency for communities of color to get involved with climate action work by saying. "I need you, my people of color; to understand that this concerns you first… when your living environment becomes unlivable, what do you think will happen to you first?"

In addition, the residents and community partners had a round table discussion with Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, community activist and Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston. During this dinner and discussion Rev. Mariama learned about the coalition's climate justice efforts in Springfield and provide insights on how we can accomplish our policy goals. We appreciate the Jazz and Roots Festival to bring attention to this issues in our community and connect us to statewide advocates.

Learn more about the two policies actions; Race and Health Equity Impact Assessment Requirement( RHEIA) and Community Choice Energy (CCE).

The coalition works in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission , Public Health Institute of Western MA , Neighbor To Neighbor , Arise for Social Justice , Live Well Springfield .

Tufts Health Plan Foundation awards $160,000 to the Public Health Institute of Western MA for Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly Work

info@wildappledesigngroup.com (Eric Belliveau) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 21:01:34 GMT

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) was awarded a two-year grant of $160,000 from Tufts Health Plan Foundation to work with the Live Well Springfield Coalition to foster an age-friendly ecosystem and health equity approach to policies and practices in Springfield and Hampden County.

“We are grateful to Tufts Health Plan Foundation for their continued partnership in building capacity for policy change so older adults can lead healthy lives. Our collaborative work in Springfield is a model for the state and nation,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director.

The LiveWell Springfield Coalition will use this funding to ensure housing policies and solutions make resources accessible to all older people. The work includes: collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department, criminal justice reform advocates, housing, and behavioral health providers to advance supports for older adults with criminal records to ensure housing and health access; the development of an action plan and digital toolkit to support older adults’ health at home; and an effort to recruit and train older adult resident leaders who can advocate for age-friendly best practices and initiatives. Our key partners working to advance the ecosystem for older adults under this grant include Baystate Geriatrics, TechSpring, Baystate Neighborhood Health Centers, New North Citizen’s Council, Men of Color Health Awareness, and the Alliance for Digital Equity as well as the Age Friendly Advisory Board.

Kresge Foundation awards $600,000 grant to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts to combat climate change, improve health equity

info@wildappledesigngroup.com (Eric Belliveau) — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:21:35 GMT

Thank you to everyone who has participated in our climate justice project so far and we have great news on moving forward on our policy priorities!

The Kresge Foundation has awarded the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts a $600,000 grant for the Live Well Springfield Coalition to advance policy solutions aimed at combating climate change and equitably reducing health risks in low-income communities. Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) is one of 14 community-based nonprofits nationwide receiving grant funding as part of The Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change, Health and Equity initiative.

With this funding,PHIWM will work with Live Well Springfield coalition members including the Resident Advisory Board, Arise for Social Justice, Way Finders , Neighbor to Neighbor , Pioneer Valley Planning Commission , the City of Springfield and partners from other sectors to develop multi-year work plans that address community-defined health and climate priorities.

The Live Well Springfield Climate Justice Initiative will address climate change and health equity policy issues in Springfield with funding from the Kresge Foundation over the next three years. The Coalition is excited to continue the climate justice work started by grassroots advocacy groups and community residents around the creation of the Strong, Healthy, and Just: Climate Action Resilience Plan (CARP).

In 2019 the Coalition was awarded a planning grant by Kresge to identify one to two policy ideas that could significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions, health, equity, and racism. The coalition partners- Live Well Springfield, Arise for Social Justice, Way Finders , Neighbor to Neighbor , Public Health Institute of Western Mass , and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission – worked closely with stakeholders, Resident Advocates, and residents to narrow down to two policies out 156 in the CARP. The partners created a variety of community engagement projects like community conversation, surveys, and workshops to gain community input and feedback.

The Coalition is excited for this next chapter to address the systemic issues of climate change. To show appreciation for the community engagement, they created a thank you video to Springfield residents and climate justice allies who helped the Coalition narrow down to two policies. Going forward, they will be advocating for community choice energy and a race and health equity impact assessment requirement.

Live Well Springfield Featured on Kresge Website

info@wildappledesigngroup.com (Eric Belliveau) — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:01:11 GMT

Live Well Springfield was featured on the Kresge Foundation’s website , along with three other Climate Change, Health and Equity Initiative grantees. Watch grantee partners share in their own words what they were able to accomplish in 2020 and what keeps them inspired as they continue onward with their work in 2021.

Art, Faith, & Activism with Reverend Mariama White-Hammond

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:58:40 GMT

In 2019 the Coalition was awarded a one-year planning grant by Kresge to identify one to two policy ideas that could significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions, health, equity, and racism. The coalition partners, Live Well Springfield , Arise for Social Justice, Way Finders, Neighbor to Neighbor , Public Health Institute of Western Mass , and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission , worked closely with stakeholders, Resident Advocates , and residents to narrow down to two policies out of 156 in the CARP. The partners created a variety of community engagement projects like community conversation, surveys, and workshops to gain community input and feedback.

The Coalition is excited for this next chapter to address the systemic issues of climate change. To show appreciation for the community engagement, they created a thank you response video to Springfield residents and climate justice allies who help the Coalition narrow down to two policies. And going forward, they will be advocating for community choice energy and a race and health equity impact assessment requirement.

Learn more about Live Well Springfield Climate Justice Initiative.

Report on Impact of CORIs on Housing and Health

Sun, 16 Dec 2001 03:29:34 GMT

Health Impact Assessment of Older Adults Accessing Housing with CORIs

Having a criminal record (CORI) creates barriers for older adults and others who are trying to access affordable housing. On December 8th, 2021 Live Well Springfield, the Public Health Institute of Western MA, MOCHA's Lamont Scott, and New North Citizens' Council's Richard Johnson hosted a presentation to share findings and recommendations from our recent health impact assessment about the use of Criminal Offender Registration Information (CORIs) in housing decisions.

The presentation provided residents and partners with an overview of the Health Impact Assessment process, key results, recommendations for policy and systems change, and resources available through Community Legal Aid and Way Finders.

Livability is a critical principle in the Age-Friendly community, and CORIs have impacted how we live and age well.

The Kresge Foundation Extends $150,000 in support for Live Well Springfield’s Climate Change, Health & Equity Project

Springfield Comprehensive Housing Plan Resident Advisory Committee Kickoff

Building Partnerships to Adapt to Flooding in the Connecticut River Watershed

The Fight Against Biomass Continues…

Press Release: Kresge Foundation awards grant to Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and Live Well Springfield to combat climate change, improve community health

Age-Friendly Joins the Clean Slate Initiative

LWS Hosts Workshop for Largest Cohort of Resident Advisors Fall 2025

Kresge's PathBreakers

Samantha Hamilton Named A Pathbreaker by the Kresge Foundation

Live Well Springfield Hosts Its First Housing Resource Fair

H ousing Resource Fair Recap

You're Invited! June 28 Housing Resource Fair

Register today!

Vendor Opportunities

Why Participate as a Vendor?

Springfield Hosts National Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) Learning Institute

We are hiring: Live Well Springfield Program Manager

Program Manager for Green and Resilient Springfield

Climate Justice Mural with Fresh Paint Springfield Unveiled

Mural in the North End of Springfield

by World Renowned Artist Betsy Casañas

Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase

Springfield Declared Nation’s First Triple Designated City

State Representative Bud Williams presented the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts with a citation at our Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase, in the end of May, 2023, for advancing the goals of our age-friendly initiative in Springfield.

Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase in Honor of Older Americans Month

Attendees heard remarks from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, State Representative Bud L. Williams, Public Health Institute's Executive Director Jessica Collins, and Eliana Gutierrez of the Department of Elder Affairs.

Press Coverage :

Age-Friendly Health & Tech Showcase

In Celebration of Older Americans Month

The Kresge Foundation Extends Funding to Climate Change, Health & Equity Initiative

Kresge Awards Live Well Springfield $150K More to Continue Work

Springfield City Council Approves Community Choice Energy

Media coverage

¿Qué temas cree que son los más urgentes en Springfield?

Encuesta Comunitaria

What are the most pressing needs in Springfield?

Take our survey to share your opinion

Springfield Residents, We Need Your Input!

Help Mercy Choose Topic for Transforming Communities Grant

Climate Justice Mural Collaboration with Fresh Paint and Jazz and Roots Festival

Paint Party held at Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival

Sign the Petition for Renewable Energy

Ask Springfield Leaders to Support Community Choice Energy

TCI Site Visit

Go Fresh Expands to Winter Market

Wellspring Receives Health New England Grant

Residents Advocating at Annual Jazz & Roots Festival

Call for Action: Resident Advocates at the Jazz and Roots Festival

Tufts Health Plan Foundation awards $160,000 to the Public Health Institute of Western MA for Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly Work

Kresge Foundation awards $600,000 grant to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts to combat climate change, improve health equity

Live Well Springfield Featured on Kresge Website

Art, Faith, & Activism with Reverend Mariama White-Hammond

Report on Impact of CORIs on Housing and Health

Health Impact Assessment of Older Adults Accessing Housing with CORIs

Attendees heard remarks from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, State Representative Bud L. Williams, Public Health Institute's Executive Director Jessica Collins, and Eliana Gutierrez of the Department of Elder Affairs. 

Press Coverage :