Riverside’s Ireland joins board of directors
of statewide group

FRAMINGHAM — Lynn Ireland, president and CEO of Riverside Industries in Easthampton, have been elected to the board of directors at the Association for Developmental Disabilities Providers, a statewide association representing community-based human services providers. Also joining the board is Jean Phelps, CEO of Incompass Human Services in Chelmsford.

Ireland has led Riverside Industries for three years and has guided its strategic planning and operational growth. Prior to Riverside, she was the CEO of Sisters of Providence Ministry Corporation and Viability Inc. She has a doctorate in philosophy from Capella University and earned both her master’s degree in education and bachelor’s degree from Springfield College.

Phelps and Ireland join the board at a time when ADDP continues its work to advance policy and programs that improve the lives of those with IDD and brain injuries.

Former Holyoke councilor McGee appointed to HCC board of trustees

HOLYOKE — Former Holyoke city councilor and one-time acting mayor Todd McGee has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College board of trustees by Gov. Maura Healey.

McGee is a tax attorney and director of estate and business planning for MassMutual Insurance, as well as a 1992 graduate of Holyoke Community College.

His term runs through March 1, 2029.

After graduating from HCC with an associate degree in liberal arts, McGee went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Northeastern University, a juris doctor from Western New England School of Law, and a master’s degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law.

McGee served as a Holyoke city councilor for 18 years until 2023, his last three terms as city council president. He briefly served as acting mayor in 2021 after the resignation of Mayor Alex Morse.

He attended his first HCC board meeting on Nov. 26.

Sheriff’s office staff earn Community Visionary Award

BOSTON — The Children’s Trust, dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect in Massachusetts, awarded Vuthy Chhum and Demetra Balis of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office the Community Visionary Award at its annual training conference, A View From All Sides.

The Community Visionary Award recognizes the work of individuals and organizations that improve the quality of services in their communities through their passion, hard work, leadership, and dedication to helping families and children.

Chhum and Balis oversee and implement the Nurturing Fathers Program at the Hampshire County House of Corrections, a 13-week, strength-based parenting group that helps fathers build and strengthen positive parenting attitudes and behaviors.

Chhum earned his Master of Social Work from Smith College in 2008 and began his career at ServiceNet Inc. as a crisis clinician, later becoming the forensic coordinator. Chhum co-facilitated the Nurturing Fathers program since its launch in 2016.

In 2019, he became senior clinician for the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office, providing psychiatric care for those with substance use disorders. Now, as the director of clinical and re-entry services, Chhum has enhanced services for justice-involved individuals at recovery centers.

Balis received her Bachelor of Science degree from Keene State College in 2003. She is currently employed as a case manager for incarcerated individuals who are awaiting trial at the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office and has been working in the department since 2013.

Balis is certified in facilitating anger management, thinking for change, victim impact, and Nurturing Fathers group. Balis was co-contributor of the Hampshire Country Jail’s Connecting with Your Child (CWYC) program, which introduces fathers to their children by having monthly family visits focusing on the development of the father and child bond. Balis is the longest serving facilitator in the Nurturing Fathers group dating to 2016.

Easthampton Chamber opens applications for spring Co.Starters

EASTHAMPTON — The Chamber of Greater Easthampton has begun accepting applications for its spring 2025 cohort of Co.Starters at WorkHub on Union entrepreneurial training program.

The program is made possible by a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant as part of the continued economic development partnership between the Chamber and the city of Easthampton with additional support from Common Capital.

Co.Starters is a 10-week cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action.

The program will also provide a pathway for entrepreneurs to grow their business at the WorkHub on Union co-working space set to open this summer.

Once again facilitated by local business leader Cynthia West, former owner of Sonnet & Sparrow and The Flying Squirrel, entrepreneurs will be led through a comprehensive curriculum covering business fundamentals within the context of the local community and marketplace.

Applications for Co.Starters will be accepted on a rolling basis through Feb. 18, with the program running Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. beginning March 4.

The cost is $3,500, but thanks to the ARPA grant, participants will only pay $150. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the Chamber website at easthamptonchamber.org for more information and to apply.