November 2021

Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative
Meeting Notes


Date: November 18, 2021
Time: 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Place: Zoom Meeting


Mission Statement: The Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative is a partnership between local, state & federal law enforcement; city & state government; civic & human service organizations; faith based organizations; the business community; education providers; property managers; and residents coming together with a goal to create safe, healthy & economically viable neighborhoods through information sharing, identifying at-risk youth, referrals and community efforts in specific Holyoke neighborhoods.



1) Welcome & Introduction 1:00pm - 1:05pm


2) Giselle Gaines: Sevita Health ADH Centers 1:05pm - 1:20pm
Formerly known as the mentor program. Every person has the right to live well. Adult day Programs helps seniors be as active as they like to be. Team gives families the care they need. Day programs offer many nursing healthy meals, recreation and transportation. Medical and Wellness Services is catered to person’s diet and felling their best. Social and recreational activities from art and music to yoga and holiday celebrations. They also offer English as a 2nd language classes. Memory care is tailored to each person’s needs. To be eligible for program you must be age 18 or older and referral. Qualifying insurance includes Mass health and other private insurance. Intake process is straight forward and reviewed for approval. Locations in Springfield, West Springfield and Holyoke.
Giselle Gaines Sevita Health 4133173100 Giselle.gaines@sevitahealth.com


3) Agency Overview and Updates 1:20pm - 2:25pm

Will Puello: Holyoke Ward 2 City Councilor
Military background. Nothing to report, grateful to be here and to further build what has been done so far.
7814917427, puellowilmer@live.com

Rosalee: Holyoke Ward 2
Veteran from air force, National Guard and young Marines. Goes into the schools and writes poems for the children and reads them books.

Zenaida Smiley: ROCA Holyoke
Working as Program Director. Target youth that are at a disadvantage, 17-24 yrs. old, gang associated, no GED, little to none work history. There will be a walk through the neighborhood today at 3:00pm between Main St and Appleton St. to pass out flyers.
zenida_smiley@rocainc.com
413–333-9444

Yesenia Cruz: Adcare Hospital
Offer inpatient and outpatient substance use services for anyone in need. Currently transferred to a hybrid model. Since Covid there was strictly telehealth services but now people can come in as well. Detoxes in Worcester and Rhode Island and transportation is provided for those who struggle or have limited access to transportation.

Yajaira Marquez: CFCE/Head start
Book buddy program drops books off to family’s doorsteps. Raising a reader is every Friday with Maritza. Looking for a space in either Chicopee or Holyoke to do an in person play group.
MarquezY@headstart.org

Amy Jackson: YAD
Staff investigator. Nothing to report.
https://www.publiccounsel.net/dir/springfield-ya/

Judge William Hadley: Holyoke District Court
Since August they have had a recovery coach present in the court room every day from Gadara. They are getting folks in treatment and counseling as well as connecting them to people who can aid them in other ways.

Karen Legacy: US Attorney’s Office
Holding youth basketball league on Friday nights in which many will be conducting character development with the youth.

Veronica Garcia: VSL
Inspire, educate and inform the Latino community through interviews, conferences, and by sharing personal experiences related to emotional well-being. Goal is to become resources for mental health well-being for the Latino community. There is a weekly program on Monday and Tuesday on Facebook and YouTube at 8:00pm. Also partners with Unavision, a Latino Television program to broadcast their show to the Western Massachusetts and greater Boston areas every Saturday at 11:30am.
413-657-6271 Email: sinlimteproductions@gmail.com
ProducerViviendo Sin LímitesCell: +1(413) 657-6271https://www.viviendosinlimites.net/https://www.facebook.com/viviendosinlimitesorg

Tyrone Williams: Follow My Steps
Mentorship with high school students in the Springfield area that focuses on career skills development, and financial literacy development. Currently looking for mentors, program held every Monday.

Mickey Buhl: Holyoke Public Schools
Was director of Opportunity Academy. Chief Financial Officer and looking to partner with the Initiative.
413-244-4803, cell. mbuhl@hps.holyoke.ma.us

Sandy Ward: Friends of the Holyoke Public Library
Looking to resume mini golf in the library on 4/9/22. Different agencies can sponsor by decorating a mini golf hole with anything that would promote their agency. She volunteers with the funeral consumer alliance and would be willing to come out and present to those looking for answers.
https://www.funeralconsumerswmass.org/

Richard Winning: Holyoke Police Department
Supervisor responder in Hampden County. Will be sitting in on meetings going forward. Nothing to report.
Richard.winning@bhninc.org.

Patty Chavez: Holyoke Public Schools/Heli
Director of early childhood development. Working on the Holyoke early learning initiative. Looking to see where efforts can align between both initiatives and where they can improve. Looking to support families from birth to third grade for school readiness and as a family as a whole through special education services, kindergarten transition, building relationships between early childhood centers within the city and the public schools.
pchavez@hps.holyok.ma.us


Nicolas Duenas: Attorney General’s Office
Outreach coordinator. Will drop information in the chat for opportunities and webinars. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/attorney-generals-community-engagement-division-14982552828

Nayroby Rosa Soriano: OneHolyoke
Friday, November 19th from 5-7pm will be offering vaccine and booster at their community house (43 North Canal St) incentives will be given for those who are getting the vaccine for the first time. Pop up food pantry on the third Saturday of the month this month (November) and next month (December). Giving Thanks dinner during vaccine clinic.
Nayroby.rosa-soriano@oneholyoke.org or 413-409-2004

Mike Garafalo: Director of Operations for Better Life Partners
Currently in licensing process. Outpatient substance abuse treatment provider with the goal to fill the gaps of the system.
Michael.garafalo@betterlifepartners.com

Michi Soderberg: Dial/Self AmeriCorps
Moving towards a rest and leisure approach to teen service project. Link to survey in chat.
Midori Soderberg from DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps (serving at Opportunity Academy). msoderberg@hps.holyoke.ma.us
Form about resources that bring rest, nourishment, and care to young people: https://forms.gle/rwTTeegxc6gichGX8An email to reach out to is msoderberg@hps.holyoke.ma.us

Mark Gaudet: Valley Opportunity Council / Mass hire
Teaches English to non-native speakers. Anyone seeking adult basic education (GED, HISET, and even down to the third grade level)– info in chat.
(413) 588-8043 (Google Voice for clients: 413-341-0150) mgaudet@valleyopp.com

Mark Burton: Community Volunteer
Work as a volunteer coach with the basketball league.

Lt Maria Pelchar: Holyoke Fire Department
Car installation and replacement programs m-f 8-4pm completely free and do not need to be a Holyoke resident. MoCA program for smoke and carbon monoxide detector install and for Holyoke residents. They can also install lock boxes for those that are elderly, have disabilities or elderly care homes. They will be starting with that population but expanding depending on how well this new system works.
Maria Pelchar (413)534-2254 pelcharm@holyoke.org Holyoke Fire Dept


Maria Pagan: Holyoke Public Library
Open m-Thursday 8:30-4:30pm. Check website for practice test for GED or HISET as well as licensure testing, tutoring services for school age and adult learners, live coach for veteran’s assistance. For anyone that does not have internet, there are new hotpots available. Laptops are also available for students who do not have one. Coming soon- social worker will be on staff for anyone to talk to – no appointment necessary.

Madeline Medina: Springfield Family Resource Center
Open M-F 9-5 pm. Application assistance for housing, job seeking and resume support as well as providing programs such as nurturing fathers and virtual grandparents. Drive-through food pantries on Thursdays.
(413) 733-7699
8 Gaucher Street | Springfield Ma. | 01109Office: (413) 733-7699Cell: (413) 949-0735Fax: (413) 732-5168Email: mmedina2@gandaracenter.orghttps://www.frcma.org/

Liandro Gonzalez: Hampden County Sheriff’s Department
Work with BHN recovery coaches
liandro.gonzalezhcsd@gmail.com 413-519-0211

Kaydance Scotto: Dial/Self Americore
Program Coordinator. Partner with schools and community centers to have full time Americore members supporting youth development. In the process of building a restorative justice Americore program to help schools. Anyone interested can apply for 10 month program.
kscotto@dialself.org.

Kathy Veins: YMCA
CEO, highlighting young teen programming connecting into leadership services or any activities. Hosting grades 3-8 for HSNI basketball league.

Kashawn Sanders: Follow My Steps Foundation
Mentor high school age youth in financial literacy and professional development.
Kashawn.Sanders@followmysteps.org

Jonathan Alicea: Latino Counseling Center
They have 40 counselors with a lot of experience that are Spanish speaking and no waiting list. 121 State St in Springfield 413 301 7717

Rondey Allen: Crosspoint Clinical Services
Redeeming mind, body and spirit with exceptional clinical and wellness services. Online fitness community for a reasonable price that has meditation, workouts etc. “it is about being your best self”
https://www.crosspointclinical.org/services/health-wellness/

John McCarthy: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Citizenship and Immigration services. Adjudicate applications for immigrant’s benefits. Gets information out to the community regarding immigration benefits. LRF Program- sunsets December 20th. Afghan’s that have been in military bases throughout the U.S. Have been coming out of those bases for the past few months – heading towards Mass so be aware. New director in Boston field office – Emily Costa, new director in Lawrence field office – Shanida Tucker.
John.j.mccarthy@uscis.dhs.gov

Dan Iozzi: Hampden County Sheriff’s Department
Exit interviews – everyone is invited
We will be holding a re-entry meeting on 12/8/21 from 9-11am here in Ludlow for guys that will be releasing in the next several months back to our communities. If you or your agency feel that you could support or educate them on the many resources available please contact me at 413 858 0214.

Iris Sosa: Boy Scouts of Western Ma Council
Looking to start and active Cub Scout unit from Holyoke as well as partnership.
413-594-9196 x7030, iris.sosa@scouting.org

Frank Martinez: Enlace de Familia
Family resource center that tackles housing resources and food resources.
Frank Martinez: Onboarding Executive Director Enlace de Familias Resource Center Office
413-532-9300Cell: 413-313-8788frank@enlacedefamilias.org

Milagros Martinez-Schettini: Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Looking for open enrollment. Only social justice school in New England. Girls’ volleyball is undefeated.
413-536-3101
www.paulofreirecharterschool.org
413-536-3201

Bill Courchesne: Hampden County Sheriff’s Department
Looking for people to join leadership team
413-858-0015 william.courchesne@sdh.state.ma

Amy Karangekis: Attorney General’s Office
Establishing a bridge between community and office to ensure everyone has access to resources.
amy.karangekis@mass.gov

Gil Traverso: Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Trying to ensure good connection with all community-based agencies that will help kids have good experiences and learn more about what is out there for them.

Adrienne Nunez: Community engagement specialist at the Community Education Project Holyoke
Specialize in English language lessons for Spanish speaking adults and offer support for GED and High school equivalency testing. New programs include; English-Spanish document translation services and Spanish language lessons.
Nunezanunez@cepholyoke.orghttps://www.cepholyoke.org/
Projectanunez@cepholyoke.orghttps://www.cepholyoke.org/

Walter Rice: Westover Job Corps
Still virtually enrolling students 16-24 years old.
rice.walter@jobcorps.org 413-593-4005

Christine Murphy: Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Chief academic officer

Brianna Owen: Rise Above Program Manager
We help fund kids in foster care to have access to activities such as sports, camp, horseback riding lessons, study abroad trips and more. My email is brianna@weriseabove.org and our application to apply for funding is at the Rise Above Foundation website!

Hannah Laprade: Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts
hlaprade@gscwm.org(413) 584-2602 x3604

Bronwyn Murphy: Holyoke Health Center, Marketing & Communications
Bronwyn.murphy@hhcinc.org

Cynthia Santiago: Caregiver Homes
Cynthia Santiago(she/her/ella): Community Liaison for Caregiver Homes.
I can be reached at: csantiago@caregiverhomes.com -or- (413) 272-9175. Feel free to visit our website: www.caregiverhomes.com -&- follow and like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1326143801105270/?ref=share. Thank you!

Eric White: Westover Job Corps / Outreach and Admissions Counselor
413-593-4033 - white.eric@jobcorps.org

Kimberly Maende: Project Coordinator, for 413Cares & Springfield Healthy HomesPublic Health Institute of Western Mass
Kmaende@publichealthwm.org Sign up for our newsletter https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/75rrArv/PHIWMPublicHealthWM.org413Cares.orgSpringfieldHealthyHomes.org


Jenny Beaudet: Holyoke Health Center
Marketing and Comm Specialist with Bronwyn Murphy. The only update we have is that we are accepting kids 5 and older for the covid vaccines. You can reach me at jeannette.beaudet@hhcinc.org, 413 420 2135

Old Business / New Business
• Next Meeting is Thursday, December 9th, 2021 (ZOOM).

Close Meeting 2:30pm
Contact Information:
Edward Caisse
Hampden County Sheriff’s Department
(413) 858-0225
ed.caisse@sdh.state.ma.us
Friend Request us on Facebook @ Shsni Holyoke