News & Events

EVERSOURCE SUPPORTS OUR GREAT DAYS!

Eversource provided a grant to Sunshine Village to help support the organization as it begins rebuilding towards its future.

With many young adults, aged 16 to 21, looking to see what their options are when they enter the adult system of human services, the agency reached out to some community partners to help fund a newly created position to increase outreach to the Special Education Departments of local school systems and provide individualized attention within the admission process.  Eversource approved the grant application and allowed Sunshine Village to move forward.

“Sunshine Village’s experiences with Eversource have been nothing but positive.  In the past few months, we have had some issues with our HVAC systems and had to call Eversource out twice.  Both times, the response was both prompt and professional” said Gina Kos, Executive Director.  “With this generous contribution, we are even more grateful to them for their support of our mission” she added.

THANK YOU EVERSOURCE!

Sunshine Village is the proud recipient of a generous donation of $40,000 from the 2020 Stabilization Grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.  These funds will be used to purchase additional PPE, including Victory Sprayers, as well as technology for newly developed programming spaces as well as purchasing the equipment needed to continue to provide training to employees in CPR/First Aid in a COVID-19 safe way.  Funds will also be used to help the organization cover property expenses so that sites can be reopened for services.

Thank you COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS!

On Sunday, October 4, 2020, the 439 Top 3 hosted an Observance for National Disability Employment Awareness Month at Westover Air Reserve Base.  Several speakers, including Sunshine Village’s Executive Director, Gina Kos, made up the presentation panel.

Kos said, “I was honored to be invited to this event.  Sunshine Village is proud of our partnership with Westover Air Reserve Base and the work we have done together to employ people with disabilities.  Our commercial cleaning company, Westover Maintenance Systems, has been cleaning the buildings and hangars at the base for over three decades.”

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the 2020 theme for this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “increasing access and opportunity.”  In her presentation, Kos thanked the men and women, both military and civilian, who work at the base who have helped the organization increase access and opportunity for many people Sunshine Village supports within its Employment Services division.

Sunshine Village was the proud recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts this past July.  The Community Foundation partnered with the MA COVID-19 Relief Fund to distribute dollars locally and SSV was able to partner with them to provide additional GREAT DAY BAGS to the clients served who live with their families or on their own.

The GREAT DAYS BAGS were delivered thru the agency’s “Ring and Run’ program – but with the added component of a Wellness Check.  The Bags were filled with health supplies and a gift card to a local grocery store.  Resources on healthy eating, fitness and stress reduction were also included.  Two masks were also included so that clients could practice wearing them – in anticipation of their return to services.

Over 270 bags were delivered and they were received with great levels of enthusiasm!

Check out our enewsletter:  All About Our Great Days – June 2020. To sign up to receive our enewsletter click here

In an effort to keep our participants and staff
safe and healthy during the Covid-19 Emergency,

Sunshine Village will be closed
March 17^th-April 5^th

We will continue to update you on:

Our website: sunshine.us

WWLP – Channel 22

Emails

If you need to pick up medication, program sites
will be open from 8am-12pm on March 17^th and March 18^th.

Please call (413)592-6142 with any questions.

March 11, 2020

Dear Family Members and Guardians,

Governor Baker has called a state of emergency in Massachusetts to help government offices, schools and organizations respond to the growing concerns around the potential spread of Covid-19/Coronavirus. Sunshine Village is keeping up-to-date with all information as the situation unfolds and; most importantly, responding quickly to keep the individuals we serve and our staff as safe and healthy as possible.

No one knows how long or how extensive the spread of the virus will be, but we are closely monitoring the state and federal recommendations. With weather-related emergencies, we have had to close our programs and this current communicable disease creates similar challenges. With the current situation we can only control how we react and meet our responsibilities. We will make important decisions such as the possibility of closing program sites only if absolutely necessary. Below is our plan to respond to what we know now and what we can control to keep communication open and lessen the impact on everyone at Sunshine Village.

To date, we started an even more robust cleaning and disinfecting protocol for all of our sites. We have also begun handwashing and coughing instruction and regular reminders. There will be a fun contest to encourage peer-to-peer education on proper techniques and their importance in fighting the spread of germs. We are also utilizing all available hand sanitizing options and encouraging all who are sick to stay home. We are also restricting visitors to our sites and are assessing community access for the individuals we serve. Sunshine Village is committed to providing you with updates as appropriate and will communicate information to you in three ways:

• The most current information, including potential closings, will be updated on our website’s homepage www.sunshine.us
• Email and letter will be used whenever possible for important, but less time sensitive information
• Personal phone calls for individual specific issues and concernsWe ask that you notify your program site of all planned travel for your loved one, yourself, or for any family or friends that come into contact with your loved one, so that we can give further instructions based on our compliance with state or federal recommendations. We also recommend that you visit the following state website for further information on travel precautions: mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Please contact your program manager or case manager with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support as we respond to this ongoing situation.

Yours truly,

Gina Kos
Executive Director

CC: Department of Developmental Services

Regrettably, the board of directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the tournament for this year
out of respect and solidarity for the many businesses and partners that support us from the community.

Please save the date for next year – August 4, 2021!

Please contact Amie Miarecki at amie@sunshine.us
for more information or donation questions.

Check out our enewsletter:  Sunshine Village Newsletter – January 2020 To sign up to receive our enewsletter click here

We’ve partnered with two local non-profits to showcase artists with distinct abilities
on this user-friendly website that highlights their talents and entrepreneurial spirit.

Shopping for holidays, birthdays and special events just got a lot easier – and more fun!

You’ll find everything from hand-painted signs to ceramics and textiles all in one spot!

To learn more, visit: https://www.connectedcreators.net/