NORTHAMPTON — Community members and organizations are invited to participate in an MLK Day Service Fair at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity on Monday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, at 130 Pine St.
The event, a continuation of a post-election workshop “What Do I Do Now?” responding to widespread interest in strategic, purposeful local engagement and activism, is designed to connect people looking to get more involved in their communities with organizations that are making a difference.
The Service Fairc will serve as a dual-purpose platform. Individuals will have the opportunity to discover meaningful ways to engage in local service and activism, offering immediate avenues to contribute to positive change. Organizations will have a chance to share their mission through concise, 2-minute pitches and directly connect with interested participants.
This year, MLK Day, a national day of service, falls on Inauguration Day, creating a powerful backdrop for community action and reflection. The event is co-sponsored by Florence Congregational Church and BeitAhavah Synagogue, the faith communities that call Bombyx home.
Organizations must sign up in advance to secure their spot. Community members can RSVP via bombyx.live/events/mlk-day-service-fair/ For more information, contact Marisa Egerstrom, pastor@fccnorthampton.org.
WESTFIELD — Westfield State University is launching a new Law Enforcement and Mental Health Co-Response Graduate Program. The program is designed to address the growing need for collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals. This degree-granting program, the first of its kind in the nation, is a concentration within the University’s Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program or available as a standalone post-baccalaureate certificate.
Joseph Camilleri, professor of psychology; Kimberly Tobin, professor of criminal justice; and Lisa Barao, visiting lecturer of criminal justice, were instrumental in developing the program. They worked closely with law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts and Connecticut to create a curriculum that meets workforce needs and equips participants with tools for success in this emerging field.
This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as the intersection of mental disorders and crime, relevant legal frameworks, and strategies for conducting rapid mental health and risk assessments in the field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge and skills to understand mental health disorders and their relationship to criminal behavior, as well as the broader criminal justice system.
Ultimately, this strengthens relationships between public safety professionals and the communities they serve.
Emphasizing practical application, the co-response program includes research opportunities and culminates in a capstone project where students apply their learning in real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach highlights the university’s commitment to academic excellence and ensures graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of this critical field.
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles reminds residents that beginning May 7, anyone traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal facilities will need a Registry-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport.
The Registry is strongly encouraging everyone seeking a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card to go online at Mass.Gov/REALID to learn what documents are needed for a required in-person appointment. Appointments to upgrade to REAL ID are available now, and several RMV service centers offer Saturday appointments. Customers who already have a compliant credential may renew online as long as they have not had a name change.
The fee to obtain or renew a REAL ID compliant credential is the same as obtaining or renewing the equivalent non-compliant credential: $50 for renewing a non-commercial standard or a REAL ID driver’s license; $25 for renewing a Mass ID; $25 for the amendment fee to upgrade to a standard or REAL ID credential before an existing credential’s expiration; and a pro-rated fee for customers with a less than five-year stay in the U.S.
Appointments can be scheduled by visiting the RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/myRMV.
Currently, Massachusetts is at 55% REAL ID adoption, with over 3 million credentials being REAL ID-compliant. Customers are eligible to renew up to one year in advance of the expiration date printed on their license or ID.