Regional Notebook: Jan. 14, 2023

Published: 01-13-2023 6:38 PM

Foundation names new president, CEO

SPRINGFIELD — The trustees of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts have appointed Megan Burke as president and CEO of the foundation.

Burke, a West Springfield resident, has been a community impact officer at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for more than seven years, most recently serving as its director of community impact grantmaking. She will begin working at the foundation on Jan. 18, succeeding Katie Allan Zobel.

Burke began her career working on international peace and security issues at the Ford Foundation and through the United Nations, according to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. She also lived in Nicaragua for several years, where her work supported the emerging LGBTQ movement and the development of a nation-wide campaign to advance human rights. Prior to her most recent position at the Hartford Foundation, Burke led the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a network of nonprofits engaged in advancing a ban on anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions worldwide.

Five area Civil Air Patrol cadets spend weekend flying

Five Civil Air Patrol cadets, including a Sunderland resident, spent a recent Sunday flying as part of Civil Air Patrol’s hands-on aerospace education program.

For two of the cadets, Jacob Kraiem, 16, of Chicopee, and Roman Powers-Moran, 15, of Easthampton, it was their first Civil Air Patrol orientation flight, also known as an O-Flight. The pair flew to New London, Connecticut, landed, and switched seats so each had a chance to pilot the aircraft. Katherine Stewart, 14, of Monson, Elwin Binu, 15, of Sunderland, and Alexander Miller, 14, of Rindge, New Hampshire, also participated in the O-Flight program.

According to Civil Air Patrol, O-Flights bring to life the concepts studied in the cadet’s aerospace education program. Cadets are entitled to five powered flights and five glider flights. The flights follow a syllabus with carefully crafted learning objectives designed to increase their knowledge of aviation fundamentals.

Cadets take the controls often during their O-Flights, but an experienced pilot remains in command at all times, and only the pilot will fly the airplane during takeoff, landing and other critical moments of the flight.

Civil Air Patrol is the civilian, volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. One of its main missions is to encourage and foster civil aviation in community aerospace education programs. The Brig. Gen. Arthur J. Pierce Cadet Squadron meets every Monday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Dickinson Hall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

United Way issues request for proposals

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United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region has released its 2023 request for proposals (RFP).

Flexible funding grants for general operating support are available to programs of nonprofits serving Franklin and Hampshire counties, with the exceptions of South Hadley and Granby. Programs must align with one of United Way’s funding priority areas: economic security, health and safety, and/or education and youth. To ensure accountability and transparency, all grant applications will be reviewed by United Way’s Community Investment Committee, a team of volunteers and United Way board members.

“Over the past three years, we have distributed over $2.7 million dollars in unrestricted funding toward maintaining continuity of services during the most difficult time in recent history. However, much has changed since March of 2020, and we want to make sure our funding is supporting the most pressing needs of Franklin County, Hampshire County and the North Quabbin region,” Geoff Naunheim, executive director of the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, said in a statement. “This single-year funding opportunity is another step in UWFH’s continuing assessment of the changing landscape of our region.”

Applicants must attend one of three informational sessions to get access to the application, which opens on Jan. 19. To RSVP, go to uw-fh.org/funding. Applications must be submitted through United Way’s online grants portal by the end of the day on Feb. 28.

Habitat for Humanity building three affordable homes

NORTHAMPTON — Applications are available through Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity for three affordable, three-bedroom, single-family homes to be built in Northampton.

Eligible applicants will have incomes up to 60% of area median income (adjusted for family size). People interested in submitting an application before the March 8 deadline are invited to attend one of the following Zoom information sessions to learn more:

■Jan. 28, 10 a.m.

■Feb. 13, 6 p.m.

■March 1, 6 p.m.

During each information session, potential applicants will learn about Habitat for Humanity’s selection criteria and how to prepare a complete application. The selection criteria include housing need, ability to make mortgage payments of $700 to $1,200 per month and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity, such as participating in the construction of the home and other projects. Details can be found at pvhabitat.org/apply.

According to Habitat for Humanity, all homes will be all-electric and built to ENERGY STAR standards. They are also designed so someone in a wheelchair can access them. Two homes will be two-story and one will be one-story; the one-story home will be adaptable for someone with mobility impairments.

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