Freedom Credit Union accepting donations for animal shelters

SPRINGFIELD — Through Feb. 29, Freedom Credit Union is inviting its members, employees and community to “Paws for a Cause” and make cash donations to benefit the Foundation for TJO Animals in Springfield and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter in Turners Falls.

“These amazing institutions provide food, water, shelter and a variety of critical services for thousands of animals in our region every year,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “They rely on donations to help fund everything from veterinary care to toys and bedding for the animals’ comfort and enrichment as they wait to find their forever homes.”

Freedom Credit Union has branches across the Pioneer Valley, including in Greenfield and Turners Falls.

ServiceNet names VP of strategy, program development

NORTHAMPTON — ServiceNet, a mental health and human services agency serving all four counties of western Massachusetts, recently welcomed Michael Kuta as vice president of strategy and program development.

Kuta comes to his new role following 16 years at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield where he gained progressive management experience. Most recently, he served as the hospital’s manager of operations for behavioral health and cardiac services, a position he assumed soon after the start of the pandemic. Prior to 2020, Kuta had been a supervisor in the Partial Hospitalization Program and before that, a behavioral health patient flow coordinator.

As Kuta noted, “the scope of my work changed over the years, but the same leadership principles applied — to meet people where they are and help them do what they do best. People are my specialty, whether I’m providing care or leading a team.”

Kuta’s path to leadership began at Elms College in Chicopee when he shifted his major from accounting to psychology and sociology before graduating in 2007. This merging of skills and interests further came together when he pursued a master’s degree in health care administration while working his way toward certification as a licensed social work associate.

In his first month at ServiceNet, Kuta has met with staff across the agency to discuss what is going well, what could use tuning up, and opportunities they see for further growth, development and community partnerships.

“As we continue in our strategic planning work together, it’s so important to hear from people who bring a wide variety of perspectives,” Kuta said in a statement. “Making connections and building relationships is what it’s all about.”