Live Well Springfield (LWS)

Springfield, MA – The Kresge Foundation has awarded the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts , as convener of the Live Well Springfield coalition, a grant of $225,000 per year for three years to address climate change and protect people’s health in communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat, flooding, air and water pollution, and chronic and infectious disease. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is one of 32 organizations nationwide receiving grant funding as part of The Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change, Health and Equity initiative. Live Well Springfield partners on the grant include Arise for Social Justice, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Way Finders, and Springfield Climate Justice Coalition. With this funding, the Live Well Springfield Climate Change, Health, and Equity Committee (CCHE) will expand its efforts to build a healthier, more resilient Springfield. The Live Well Springfield CCHE Committee will: Work with the City of Springfield to build awareness and adoption of the Community Choice Power Supply Program, which uses collective buying power to secure stable, affordable electricity from cleaner, renewable sources. Live Well Springfield successfully advocated for the City to adopt this program, with support from a previous Kresge grant. Help update the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, ensuring it reflects current challenges and community needs. Explore housing development policies that protect residents from extreme heat. Continue to advance statewide advocacy against polluting biomass facilities. Host community workshops on climate resilience. “Kresge’s continued investment in Springfield is vital to sustaining our momentum in advancing climate justice. We feel proud and empowered to stand tall among the many major cities that were also selected for this honor,” said Samantha Hamilton, Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts . “Collaboration is critical to address the impacts of climate change,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. “These Kresge funds will help us advance strategies originally planned with the city and other partners before the EPA unexpectedly terminated the $20 million Community Change grant. We are so grateful that private philanthropy continues to step up and support local and regional climate mitigation work.” “The human health impacts of climate change are profound, and while climate change affects us all, it hits some communities harder than others. The pollution that creates dangerous heat waves and severe storms causes the most harm in communities already experiencing persistent health inequities, like lack of access to safe housing and quality health care, as well as chronic illnesses and respiratory disease, said Shamar Bibbins, Kresge Environment Program managing director . “Equitable solutions must be driven by the communities most affected, and doing so in partnership with trusted health practitioners and institutions can amplify local innovations and build broader momentum for change.” “Long-term change in cities requires strong and sustained cross-sector partnerships. Working together, we ensure that all of us, no matter who we are or where we live, have the opportunity to be healthy and to thrive. Climate action is fundamentally a public health imperative—offering transformative opportunities to reduce mental health burdens, chronic diseases, and infectious disease spread while advancing health equity for all," said Monica Valdes Lupi, Kresge Health Program managing director . For more information on Kresge's Climate Change, Health & Equity initiative, click here . ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts supports communities in their efforts to become measurably healthier and more equitable through community engagement, convening collaborative partnerships, communications, data analysis, research and evaluation, and policy advocacy. We are committed to continuous learning, fostering collaboration, and amplifying the voices of those we serve. For more information, visit PublicHealthWM.org  ###

On September 27th, resident advisors (RAs) from the Public Health Institute of Western MA gathered at Regreen Springfield for a Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop. RAs from the following 5 coalitions shared successes, challenges, and key learnings. A team of RAs representing each initiative led presentations that sparked dialogue, allowing everyone to learn from one another, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of community efforts. Intergenerational Social Connections (ISC): Focuses on bringing youth and older adults together in Springfield to reduce loneliness, build relationships, and strengthen community across generations. Live Well Springfield Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE): Focuses on advancing community choice energy for Springfield, creating strategies to address extreme heat, and developing a new Climate Change Action Plan for the city. Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI): Focuses on addressing Springfield’s housing needs by improving housing conditions, increasing affordability, and expanding opportunities for homeownership. Healthy Air Network: Focuses on monitoring air quality, exploring transportation issues, developing an innovative app, and tackling climate change challenges  The workshop also served as a warm welcome and orientation for new RAs joining the committees, especially our new Parent Advisors for the Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), which is focused on youth mental health and problem gambling. Learn more about the resident advisor program .

Congratulations to Samantha Hamilton and the other 11 PathBreakers featured in The Kresge Foundation's 2024 annual report. Read her story and look out for her upcoming interview on the PathBreakers podcast .

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the City of Springfield and the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts a nearly $20 million Community Change Grant to advance environmental justice and climate resilience in Springfield (Green and Resilient Springfield Initiative).

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts received a $400,000, three-year general operating grant from Point32Health Foundation. The funds support the organization as it assesses and implements strategies for intergenerational social connection and improved mental health in partnership with the Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly Initiative, the Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Massachusetts, and the Youth Mental Health Coalition.

The Kresge Foundation featured Live Well Springfield on their website on Janaury 17, 2023 in an article called, Partnerships, power of convening help Live Well Springfield Coalition advance climate policies.

Live Well Springfield Manager Samantha Hamilton participated in a panel, Building Community Power to Advance Climate Justice, Equity and Health, at the CEEJH 8th Annual Environmental Justice and Health Disparities Symposium.

Read Samantha Hamilton's Op-Ed in the Daily Climate, where she describes how Live Well Springfield is addressing climate change and health equity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market project has pivoted to providing free fresh-produce boxes to older adults at housing and senior-center locations in Springfield.