Pioneer Valley Project

The Pioneer Valley Project is collecting children's clothing, toys, cribs, car seats, all other equipment for kids, and disposable diapers for immigrant families. This summer we're supporting immigrant families who pay for child care out of their own pockets because it's very difficult for many of them to qualify for subsidized child care. Families pay $50-$75 a week for each child depending on the age of the child. Most of these families work for little more than minimum wage and they pay for their child care, their rides to and from work and often support parents, children and other family members back home. Some people only have steady work for four months each year because they work on tobacco farms.

Our project was looking for ways to help families get subsidized day care but we found that many of them either didn't have the proper identification or the hours offered didn't work for them (because many go to work at 5 or 6 AM and get back late, too). We decided instead to help support these families and help them offset the cost they pay for day care.

On Sunday, May 4, we gave out 44 packages of diapers to 29 families. We bought these diapers at the Food Bank of Western Mass but they still were expensive. They cost us over $9.00 per package and each package had either 34 or 40 diapers, according to the size. We also gave out a lot of children's clothing, two car seats, a crib, and lots of toys and other equipment for kids (like baby bottles), all things donated by members of local churches.

We are asking for donations of diapers and we especially need sizes 2, 5 and 6. Please buy a package of diapers and help a family offset the cost of child care. Or, if you have toys or equipment for kids that you are no longer using please donate it. We hope to give out diapers, toys, clothes and equipment all summer long. If you prefer to donate cash, that's fine, too. We're happy to come pick up stuff!

Thanks for your support!!

Maria Cristina Cuerda

Western Mass. Legal Services

One Monarch Place, Suite 400

Springfield, MA 01144

direct line: 413-686-9033

fax: 413-746-3221

Thank You...

for giving to the fund to feed immigrant farmworkers and their children over the winter. In November we gave food to 80 immigrants, in December to 40 people and in January to over 100 people. Your donation has allowed us to purchase food at the Food Bank of Western Mass. But, we still need your help. Most families won't have steady work until late March or April and are struggling to feed their families and pay their bills.

In December, with the collaboration of Brightwood Health Center and the impetus from Marty Nathan, MD, we began offering a medical clinic for immigrants who have no health insurance. Some individuals are visiting a doctor for the first time since coming to the US. Many have serious medical problems which have gone untreated and require attention. The Pioneer Valley Project has started a special fund to help immigrants purchase medications they need and for visits to specialists. The clinic is available to immigrants twice a month, during the evening. We are encouraging everyone to come to the clinic to establish a relationship with a doctor and to get a check up and we're helping people connect with dental care, which is a critical need.

Over 100 people came to our January meeting where we shared information and a meal. We surveyed the group about their needs and they told us that their most pressing problems include lack of work over the winter, needing help paying for heat, transportation problems (because they aren't eligible for drivers licenses), and wanting to learn English. We continue to provide information about their civil rights and offer them access to legal services. In January we started offering ESL classes once a week, free to all who would like to learn.

This weekend we'll have our monthly community meeting where we'll talk about a community garden project , how to support families who need child care and to support individuals who are providing day care so that we can make this service more affordable and more effective for all involved. We will also offer to assist families to access heat (some have none because they can't afford oil) and to help people sign up for fuel assistance to help them pay their heating bills.

We still need your help to continue to purchase food for March and hopefully April. If you would like to contribute to the food fund or the medical fund please send your check to the:

Pioneer Valley Project

c/o Holy Family Church

235 Eastern Avenue

Springfield, MA 01108

Please specify the immigrant food program or the immigrant medical fund.

Thank you!

Posted for M. Cuerda.