HEAR US

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Be inspired by Terry Powe, Springfield Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development; and former Principal of Elias Brookings Elementary School.

For seventeen years, Terry Powe served as the Principal for Elias Brookings Elementary School, where she fostered a culture of love for our students, educators, families, and school community; and where she inspired a model of teamwork in educating and serving others...

Be inspired by Elias Brookings 

Elementary School Educators...

Every person in every role in our building is an educator and an inspirer of love, compassion, knowledge, dedication, strength, and hope...

Be inspired by Wayne Moore, a passionate educator and community coach and mentor who earned his Master's in Special Education from Bay Path University. He has spent the past thirteen years teaching at Elias Brookings Elementary School under the guidance of former Principal Terry Powe. A lifelong mentor in the community, Wayne has supported and guided local youth for decades. During college, he volunteered with the Partnership of Brookline alongside his teammates. In recognition of Wayne's impact as an educator, coach, and mentor, he was named the 2017 Western Massachusetts Mentor of the Year. Beyond the classroom, Wayne is also a high school basketball coach, leading teams to multiple state and Western Mass championships.

Be inspired by Business Focus Springfield: Springfield Community Access Television.

 The Mission of Focus Springfield is to improve the quality of life for Springfield residents through stimulating economic development, community building, education, training, and promoting the benefits of living, learning, and working in the city. Located in the heart of the city at the corner of State and Main Streets, Focus Springfield showcases the cultural and educational achievements of our citizens, over the airwaves, via the Internet, or in the gallery space facing Main St. Focus provides training designed to encourage individual and community based programming, as well as real time activities that will enhance the downtown streetscape. 

www.focusspringfield.com

Be inspired by Ayanna Crawford and AC Consulting and Media Services...

 Educational Consultant and Motivational speaker for nonprofits and colleges in the Pioneer Valley. Ms. Ayanna C. Crawford (Springfield) is the proud mother of two children. 

She also is the owner/ President of AC consulting and Media Services specializing in workshops in communications skills; press releases; social media management & marketing with nonprofits and community-based centers in the New England area. She also has a love for public relations and media work. She currently works for the state of Massachusetts as Chief of Staff for Representative Orlando Ramos in 9th Hampden district. She was also a former Educator in Springfield Public Schools and she has been a guest lecturer at Smith College on “Best Practices for literacy development in Urban Schools” in the education department at Smith College. 

Be inspired by...

Retired United States Coast Guard Officer, Peter Niles...

Stay tuned for more information regarding Peter Niles, but for now please know that for the past four years he has served as a wise and compassionate dear friend, mentor, guiding light, and inspiration to me in our journey together as parents of Cadets at the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Though our Cadets just graduated, 

he will remain a trusted friend 

forever on my speed dial…

Be inspired by Jamila Jackson and The Embodied Leadership Project whose Mission makes it possible to work therapeutically with horses by providing free and low-cost programs both in-person and remotely from the farm. Our remote/distance sessions utilize the calming sounds of the handpan drum, video, storytelling, and meditation, allowing us to facilitate a bond with horses without participants needing to be physically present with them. 

www.embodiedleadershipproject.org
 

Be inspired by Rick's Place Grief support for children, teens, and their families.

Rick’s Place provides compassionate grief support to children, teens and their families through facilitated peer activities, school-based programs and community outreach.

Our goal is to provide a trusting environment in which participants who are grieving the death of someone significant can share their experiences, receive support and find community. No child should have to grieve alone.

www.ricksplacema.org

Be inspired by the Springfield Ballers.

 The Springfield Ballers provides affordable opportunities to youth in athletics through programs that promote academic achievement and overall health and wellness for the purpose of creating a complete and well-rounded student athlete. 

www.springfieldballers.com

Be inspired by Parent Villages, who

 partners with organizations to provide a two-generational approach to serving families. This enables us to provide support to both children and adults to close the opportunity and belief gaps which have negatively impacted the educational attainment and

 livelihoods of our families. 

www.parentvillages.org

Be inspired by Maurice Soulfighter Taylor...

Maurice Soulfighter is a multidisciplined cultural activist, who utilizes culture to encourage healing and address social political issues plaguing our communities.

He founded Poetic Recovery Cultural Exchange: 

An Open Mic and cultural space where different artists connect for cultural exchange; and encourage healing to facilitate connecting, build community, and cultural healing from social political issues and trauma

through reading and cultural expressions.

As a person in recovery, Lyricism has been a process of recovery, viewing the world, and engaging with people. 

Maurice is Co-Founder of P.E.A.C.E: (Peace through Education Acceptance Courage and Expression), a program that started for K-5 students at Elias Brookings Elementary School, but expanded for youth from the community. PEACE was created to ease the pain and suffering of students living in violent areas. The workshop was created to introduce student to their voices and empower them to use them through imagery, and planting seeds of belonging, connecting, and giving meaning to their voice and existence. 

www.mcsoulfighter.com

poeticrecovery.us

Be inspired by The Lucky Dog Day Spa, a full service dog grooming salon, committed to the health and well being of all!

Professional loving care for all fur babies!

Be inspired by Lavar Click-Bruce...

“I really love helping people,” he told MassLive in 2024. “My passion is coaching youth and being a father figure mentor. It’s very important to show our youth the way and continue to push forward with making our city a better place.”

In his words: “Just continue to persevere. 

Don’t ever give up on yourself. Continue to evolve as an individual and doors 

will eventually open up.”

Source: Masslive.com June 15, 2024

Be inspired by Educator Virna Langford as she talks about: Why kindness, compassion, and helping others is so important.
Let’s focus on unity and connectivity.
Let’s focus on the positivity in humanity.

Virna describes herself as  a kind, compassionate and helpful member of the human race, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a teacher, 

who is looking to inspire others and 

to be inspired by others. 

I am thankful for all that have encouraged and inspired me to become an educator and activist out here making the world a better place through establishing loving and meaningful relationships 

with people in and around the city.  

Click the link:

 The Hampden Country District Attorney Office Youth Advisory Board is dedicated to a year of collaboration, research, and advocacy by the Youth Advisory Board. Throughout the academic year, students worked in seven committees to identify challenges impacting young people: mental health, substance use, academic engagement, inclusion, social media, food insecurity, and healthy relationships. Students then work together to develop actionable recommendations. At the conference, they had the opportunity to present their findings and solutions to an audience of school leaders, law enforcement professionals, and community partners. 

Project Guide:

 2024-2025 Project Guide 

Compilation Video:

https://youtu.be/2_RJK42e520?si=omrRadZ-2sFKKW4X

Be inspired by Nicole Coakley, a remarkable woman who is dedicated to helping youth and families in the community by leading, empowering, and inspiring...

Be inspired by Eastman, whose mission is to exist to improve lives...

Eastman is committed to finding solutions to the world’s challenges and improving the quality of life for consumers. Together with their partners, they are focused on making materials that are better for everyone.

Be inspired by The Gray House, a small neighborhood human service nonprofit located in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Our mission is “to help its neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing and educational services in a safe, positive environment in the North End of Springfield.”

We fulfill our mission through our operations of The Market at Gray House, our Adult Education Program, and Kids' Club, as well as through the distribution of winter wear and other necessities. Over 11,000 unique individuals are served by these programs each year.

www.grayhouse.org

Be inspired by Make It Springfield a creative space for everyone...  Make-It Springfield provides a multicultural home that invites creativity, invention, and artistic experimentation for all. Read about our members, staff and leadership.  Make It Springfield supports the diverse creative needs of our community. 

Its dynamic, eclectic learning environment invites people of any background or skill level to explore and create, while promoting inclusion and collaboration in all forms of culture, art, and technology.

Make-It Springfield provides space, tools, programs and vision, especially for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, to explore and work on creative projects. Make-It Springfield provides a multicultural home that invites creativity, invention, and artistic experimentation through dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of skills and ideas.

www.makeitspringfield.org

Be inspired by Dalila Skinner...

Hello, my name is Dalila Skinner, 

but I go by Lila.

My passion for community organizing came as a surprise—even to me. To be honest, when I first got involved, I was just trying to help myself through a really difficult time. 

But everything shifted once I started speaking with residents in my community. 

I realized I wasn’t alone, and 

that I had a responsibility to do more…

I began joining organizations with the intention of helping those who felt silenced—

just as I once did. 

Over time, I became a voice for those who didn’t yet feel comfortable using their own. What started as a personal journey has grown into a deep commitment, 

and now I proudly wear many hats 

within our community.

I firmly believe that if you want to see change, 

you have to be the change.

Be inspired by Bob "the Bike Man" Charland and Pedal Thru Youth Team and volunteers. Pedal Thru Youth promotes an active and healthy lifestyle among youth by 

donating bikes and helmets to 

low-income or needy families. 

Pedal Thru Youth partners with local charities, law enforcement, and public schools to 

serve local communities.

Bob and the Pedal Thru Youth Team and Volunteers also support seniors in need of medical equipment by collaborating with businesses to collect and distribute medical equipment for free to those seniors in need.

Pedal Thru Youth also partners with local vocational school staff and students to 

fix electronics, equipment, and 

bikes for distribution to the community.

www.pedalthruyouth.org