Kresge Foundation awards $600,000 grant to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts to combat climate change, improve health equity
Eric Belliveau • April 15, 2021

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 FindersNeighbor 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 FindersNeighbor to NeighborPublic 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. 

October 27, 2025
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.
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