The Mass Redistribution Fund, a Massachusetts-wide COVID-19 emergency fundraiser launched in early April by a dozen grassroots leaders, has distributed its second round of grants, redirecting a second disbursement of more than $260,000 in donations from over 900 individuals donors and foundations to critical relief efforts across the state.
Funds collected by the MRF were distributed to 27 grassroots organizations working at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis to support renters facing eviction, undocumented families without access to food and others — as well as organizing policy campaigns to ensure a just recovery from the pandemic and beyond.
MRF was initially funded by residents who pledged to donate their stimulus checks to join a growing movement of people putting community health over personal wealth contributing to a diverse group of direct relief funds and urgent efforts across Massachusetts to stabilize families, workers, elders, prisoners and immigrants, and to amplify the long-term changes we need for community resilience next time a crisis hits.
Local grassroots organizations to receive donations include ARISE for Social Justice and the Pioneer Valley Workers Center – 413 Undocu-Worker Solidarity Fund.
The MRF is currently accepting donations for the next round of funding to be given to grassroots organizations that are continuing their efforts around addressing the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice so far has approved seven COVID-19 Relief and Organizing Emergency Grants to grassroots groups engaged in ongoing social justice organizing. The grants of up to $2,000 each support community financial relief, public health protection and expanding communications capacity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Markham-Nathan Fund was created in 2009 to support grassroots western Massachusetts groups in their fight for fundamental social change to eliminate economic disparity, racism, sexism, and xenophobia. They have raised and distributed money for community organizing efforts to stop police brutality, defend immigrant rights, stop home foreclosures, support low-wage worker organizing, and protect frontline communities from polluting industries in the struggle against climate change.
Local grant recipients so far are:
• The Performance Project of Holyoke to provide care packages to families in Holyoke involved in its youth arts program;
• Indian Orchard Citizen Council for mutual aid efforts to meet the financial and survival needs of residents of Springfield, Holyoke, and West Springfield suffering the consequences of the pandemic. Needs include medical, food, child care, and direct financial aid.
Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts is broadening its programs to include virtual program delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commited to providing pathways to success for young people, JAWM’s virtual programs focus on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness through a variety of media. Free resources are available for teachers to incorporate JA lessons into their own distance learning platforms; interactive events with industry executives are being live-streamed for students; and the annual JA INSPIRE Career Fair and the JA Stock Market will be held virtually in October.
JAWM’s chief goals are economic mobility through inspiration and access. Educators who are interested in the work that JAWM is doing to provide free, inspiring and empowering programs to K-12 students can find more information at jawm.org. People interested in becoming virtual volunteers can sign up by emailing nfregeau@jawm.org.
JAWM’s work is made possible by the generosity of the private and public sector across western Massachusetts and Vermont. Donations can be made in support of these programs at jawm.org/donate.
Curbside Pickup: The South Hadley Public Library is now offering curbside pickup for items available on the shelves of SHPL and the Gaylord Memorial Library. You may request items on the bark.cwmars.org website, limiting your search to South Hadley, or call the library at 413-538-5045 with your requests.
Staff are also happy to select a “grab bag” of books, DVDs, etc., for you based on interest and availability.
Library staff will collect and check out your items, bag them, and schedule an appointment for you to pick them up at SHPL.
The bag with your name on it will be placed in the library vestibule, just inside the front doors.
If an order is not picked up on time we will hold them inside and schedule another pickup time. Items not picked up after two scheduled times will be checked in and reshelved.