New Beginnings Childcare Graduation

Here are the kids celebrating their day at the DeBerry School.

National Training Conference

Last week we attended the Community Action Program Legal Services, better known as CAPLAW, training conference in Savannah, Georgia. The conference was bittersweet as it was dedicated to the late Bob Coard, a legend in the world of Community Action and founding President and board member of CAPLAW. Mr. Coard was the President and CEO of Action for Boston Community Development and a lifelong advocate for the rights of low-income people everywhere.

The Keynote Speaker was Bryan Stevenson, Esq. Mr. Stevenson is the Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama and Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law.

The Legislative Update Speaker was David Bradley. Mr. Bradley is the Executive Director of the National Community Action Foundation and please take the time to visit their website at http://www.ncaf.org/ for more info. Mr. Bradley also has a blog, which includes a reading list and you can follow him at http://www.bradleysbrushback.com/

Heather Rose, our Human Resource Director, kindly offered to share some of her photos of the beautiful city of Savannah.

Reading Success by Fourth Grade

Yesterday, several staff members attended the launch of a groundbreaking effort to have 80% of Springfield's incoming fourth graders reading proficiently by 2016. A year in the planning, Reading Success By Fourth Grade is an initiative of Cherish Every Child.

More than 200 people attended the event at the Basketball Hall of Fame to hear Dr. Nonie Lesaux present findings and recommendations from her report – “Turning the Page: Refocusing Massachusetts for Reading Success.” You can read her report at http://www.strategiesforchildren.org/Publications/TurningThePageReport.pdf

The importance of yesterday's event really can't be overstated. Consider that 64% of third-graders in this city read below their grade level, which means that their chances of completing high school just plummet, we all need to work together to change that horrifying statitistic.

You can download a copy of the executive summary of Reading Success by Fourth Grade at http://www.cherishspringfield.org

There are many ways for everyone to become involved and 2016 will be here before you know it.

We're Hiring!

We’re Hiring!

Isn’t that good to hear, considering the economic climate?

Springfield Partners for Community Action will be at the "Springfield Stimulus Job Expo" on Monday, June 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame. We're seeking teachers for New Beginnings Childcare, as well as energy auditors and interns.

Please visit our table at this job fair on Monday, which is sponsored by FutureWorks Career Center, WMAS, the Hall of Fame and ESPN 1450 AM.

Springfield Partners operates programs that serve various needs of low-income residents in the greater Springfield area. Programs focus on building assets; housing and credit counseling and assistance; health and nutrition; income tax assistance; and job training and employment for seniors. Springfield Partners also offers affordable childcare and home weatherization services.

As a non-profit, our mission is to empower people in need to attain self-sufficiency and economic stability.

To read about Springfield Partners job opportunities, please visit http://www.springfieldpartnersinc.com/careers/index.html

To see a full list of companies scheduled to attend the Springfield Stimulus Job Expo, visit:
http://www.futureworks-now.com/pdf/Job%20Expo%20Companies%20Attending%206-2010%20.pdf

National Campaign to Cut Poverty in Half

We have endorsed the pledge from Half in Ten, the campaign to cut poverty in half in 10 years:

We endorse a national goal of cutting poverty in half in 10 years, and ask elected officials at all levels of government to support policies to achieve it. Furthermore, we call on the administration and Congress to outline and implement a plan to incorporate this goal into our government’s long-term economic policymaking, and to set benchmarks that will move our country toward shared prosperity and a stronger middle class.

For more info, check them out at www.halfinten.org

State Street Rededication

Here is Tanya Jones-Murray, IDA Coordinator for Springfield Partners, being interviewed by Channel 22 News about the State Street Rededication just before she and several other staff members joined in the walk down State Street on Thursday, June 3rd.

We joined politicians, city officials, local business representatives and community residents in the walk from Mason Square to the new Federal Courthouse. The courthouse was the impetus for the $17 million revitalization of one of Springfield's most important thoroughfares and the site on Thursday of a dedication ceremony.

Improvements to the State Street corridor have included the physical reconstruction of 3 miles of roadway, from East Columbus Avenue to St. Michael’s Cemetery. Sidewalks have been added and improved, the road has been repaved, and cobblestone crosswalks have been installed.

Springfield Partners for Community Action has had a presence on State Street for many years. Currently, we occupy our main office space at 619 State and our Childcare Center, New Beginnings, is housed at 721 State Street.

The improvements to State Street will be of benefit to all: it is safer to cross the street and it is definitely looks so much better. As one of the many State Street businesses, we are extremely pleased with the renovations and thrilled to be a part of the celebration. We welcome the public to come in and check out our programs.