Public Services & Partners
Social Services provide the tools our residents need for upward economic mobility, either increasing their likelihood of success as an individual, or for their children's future.
The Town of West Springfield's Community priorities for social services are to maintain a balanced approach among family stabilization, individual stabilization, support services specifically for the refugee community, support services for the homeless and homelessness prevention programs, youth development, services that help develop economic self-sufficiency (adult education & job training), and emergency and preventive services ranging from rental assistance, fuel assistance, to shelter services.
Boys & Girls Club of West Springfield
The West Springfield Boys & Girls Club provides a summer camp, which will operate for nine weeks during the months of June through August. The summer camp will serve about 200 children all over the Pioneer Valley between the ages of 5 through 13. Approximately 20 of those 200 children will receive CDBG-funded scholarships. This scholarship program has been in place for over the past decade and has served hundreds of children from West Springfield.
It is expected that at least 65% of the current and future members for the Boys & Girls Club summer camp fall into low-moderate income groups. The summer camp will serve about 200 youth per year, of which 71% will be in the low to moderate-income range. About 50% of the youth that attend the summer camp come from single-female households. But for the $20,000 CDBG grant, approximately 20 West Springfield kids from low income families would not be able to afford to attend summer camp. The club also provides these low-moderate income families with a nutritional lunch throughout the summer camp program. Most important the 20 youth at risk are in a positive, safe shelter during the summer months instead of being on the streets unsupervised.
To learn more about the Boys and Girls Club visit http://wsbgclub.org/
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Classes at the West Springfield Public Library
The Community Development Office sponsors Intermediate and Advanced Level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes run by the West Springfield Public Library.
For over 20 years English for Speakers of Other Languages program has offered services to community members in need. ESOL offers new classes every 6 weeks, which focus on vocabulary, grammar, and conversations; practicing writing, fine tue idiomatic expressions and improve listening skills. These classes help improve the quality of life for the residents of West Springfield. They improve their self-esteem, create opportunities for advanced education, job training, promotions, economic mobility and improve participation in family, school and civic activities.
For more information regarding ESOL classes please contact: Michelle Morgan by leaving a message at 413-736-4561 (press option #6) or 413-237-4987.
Head Start Program
Currently located at 511 Main Street this program will be relocated to the First Congregational Church where the 91 West Springfield children who currently attend the Head Start Program and future students will be provided with the gift of a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment, in order to help them gain awareness, skills and confidence necessary to succeed in their present environment, and to deal with later responsibilities in school and life.
They will also receive free medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. Head Start helps children succeed. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Most children in Head Start are between the ages of 3 and 5 years old and the majority live within the Southeast Target Area.
To learn more about the Head Start Program visit https://www.headstartprogram.us/
Multicultural Resource Center
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) of West Springfield specializes in assisting Russian- speaking residents by providing a number of economic and family stability-focused programs and connections to social services. Russian Speaking Refugees make up one of the largest refugee populations in West Springfield, therefore the need for services is very high, specifically in terms of employment training, and placement assistance.
The Community Development Office sponsors MRC’s ‘Employment on the Internet’ classes. These classes meet 12 times per session; 8 sessions are run throughout the year. These classes cover the following subjects: web-resources for resume creation, web-searching training in online based jobs, websites and databases, tips for online translation services and social networking as a career building tool. Alongside their training, participants practice how to dress for a job or interview, and practice appropriate behavior in an American workplace. These services provide a more comprehensive approach to facilitating successful job placement than has been offered in West Springfield before.
To learn more about MRC visit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/helpmassimmigrants/about/
Way Finders' First Time Home Buyers Classes
The Community Development Office sponsors First Time Home Buyers Classes run by Way Finders that are held 2 times a year, in the Spring and Fall. These classes help first time home buyers increase their knowledge about buying and financing a home, understand their next steps to be ready to purchase, and learn about repairing credit, saving for a down payment, improving their budget and money management. Thanks to these programs, hundreds of people have more stable housing in West Springfield.
For more information visit: https://www.wayfindersma.org/housing-center/home-buyers
Next Class Offering:
Saturday, October 15, 9:00am to 2:00pm
Saturday, October 22, 9:00am to 2:00pm
This workshop will be in person at 1780 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Select Classes, West Springfield Residents can attend for FREE. Contact homeownership@wayfindersma.org with a copy of a utility bill showing your West Springfield address and requesting free attendance. Non-Resident fee: $50.00
To Register visit: https://wayfinders.force.com/wayfinderscft/NWSHOP__TrainingCenterCPS
Way Finders Down payment Assistance Program
To facilitate and assist 5 Low to Moderate Income future homeowners with loans to make the dream of home ownership in West Springfield possible. Residents must complete the First Time Homebuyers class through Way Finders to be eligible for this program.
For more information visit: https://www.wayfinders.org/west-springfield-down-payment-assistance