Northampton projects receive more than $1M in federal funding

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern
Republican file photo

NORTHAMPTON — Northampton is receiving two federal grant awards courtesy of U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern that total more than $1 million.

According to McGovern’s announcement, $897,000 will expand Stop It Now!’s child sexual abuse prevention programming in the city, and $500,000 is slated for the city’s Community Resilience Hub.

Stop It Now! Director Jenny Coleman told Reminder Publishing the group is a national program that has been based in Western Massachusetts for nearly 30 years.

“With this funding, we can now focus our efforts in Massachusetts specifically to support youth, families, parents and professionals in youth serving organizations and positions in having access to information and resources that will keep children and youth safe from sexual harm, and to experience a safe and health childhood,” said Coleman. “Preventing child sexual abuse does not have to be scary or isolating. Every adult can help keep children safe, build protective and strong safeguards, and know what to do when they have a concern. Stop It Now! is here for everyone, regardless of their concern of relationships. Sexual abuse is preventable, not inevitable.”

Coleman explained that specifically, this funding will help them upgrade their operations and support their free and confidential helplines and websites. She said this includes a helpline and website for adults who have questions about safety planning for youth, about how to speak up to discuss sexual safety with other adults, and to get help when they have concerns that an adult’s behaviors — including their own — could be harmful to youth or put youth at risk. There is also another website and helpline for youth, whatsok.org, available to help youth get accurate information and support when they have concerns about their own sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

“We will be able to provide free training and newly developed resources throughout the state — both through our online learning platform and live hosted trainings. We will continue our work to support the MA Legislative Task Force on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse,” added Coleman.

Coleman said this federal funding makes prevention possible at the level communities actually need as it is essential to allow organizations like Stop It Now! to meet the scale and urgency of preventing child sexual abuse.

“Every day we hear from people who are worried about their own or someone else’s behavior and don’t know where to turn. Funding allows us to be there in those critical moments — offering support that can change the course of someone’s life and prevent harm before it happens,” said Coleman. “Having champions like Congressman McGovern recognize and invest in this work reinforces that prevention is not only possible — it’s a priority. It helps reduce stigma and encourages more people to reach out for help. Support from leaders like Jim McGovern sends a powerful message: prevention matters. It affirms that protecting children and supporting families is a shared responsibility and that investing in prevention is both necessary and effective.”

The $500,000 award to Northampton will help the city create a Community Resilience Hub that provides daily access to shelter, meals and hygiene facilities.

Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra submitted a statement to Reminder Publishing in support of the award: “I’m deeply grateful to Congressman McGovern for helping bring this $500,000 investment for Northampton’s Community Resilience Hub. This support will help us meet critical community needs and better prepare Northampton for climate emergency challenges. Congressman McGovern has long been a champion for vulnerable communities, and this investment will help Northampton build a stronger, more prepared, and more caring city for everyone.”

The grants are part of $12 million in federal funding that McGovern awarded for community projects across the Second Congressional District on March 11, including a variety of projects he said will make life better for those across the district.

McGovern secured the money through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process, partnering with community stakeholders and local officials to develop proposals and bring federal dollars to the commonwealth.

“Every one of these awards is tied to a specific, tangible improvement folks here at home will see and feel – more childcare slots in Whitinsville, safer streets on Route 20 in Shrewsbury, cleaner drinking water in Leicester, a new fire truck for Conway, affordable housing in Worcester, and new resources to address economic injustice in Amherst and Northampton,” said McGovern. “These are concrete things that will make life better for all of us. My team and I worked closely with mayors, town managers, nonprofits and community leaders before doing the work in Congress to get this funding across the finish line.”

McGovern worked with stakeholders in communities throughout the Second District to secure funding for a total of 14 projects.

“These are targeted, practical investments that will strengthen public safety, expand opportunity and improve people’s lives,” added McGovern. “And we’re investing in the next generation by making smart choices now – paying it forward with safer neighborhoods, healthier communities and the infrastructure and service that our commonwealth needs to grow and thrive for years to come.”

A full list and detailed descriptions of all the projects that McGovern requested federal funding for can be found at https://mcgovern.house.gov/issues-list/fy-2026-community-project-funding-requests.htm.