SPRINGFIELD — Revitalize CDC, a Springfield-based community development organization, operates programs to create safe housing, adequate nutrition and digital literacy for people across the state. In early February, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal secured $250,000 in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, to help it continue to help others.
Revitalize CDC began in 1992 as “Rebuilding Together Springfield,” with a focus on repairing homes in the city. Since then, the organization has spread to operate in 11 of the state’s 14 counties. The scope of its work has expanded, as well. President and CEO Colleen Shanley-Loveless said the organization is still rooted in essential home repairs for people in need, but its Joined Forces and Healthy Homes programs also offer home repairs for veterans and upgrades to allow people to age in place. The Nutrition Rx program provides kitchen supplies, nutrition counseling and grocery items for people in need. The Digital Equity program teaches clients computer skills one-on-one in a home setting. It also helps people sign up for low-cost internet.
The organization’s most visible program is still GreenNFit Springfield, a one-day event in which 1,000 volunteers and 100 supporters rebuild one block of a neighborhood to make the homes energy-efficient, safe and healthy. This year, the program will take place on Saturday, April 25.
“We’ve really, really grown,” Shanley-Loveless said. When she joined the organization in 2009, she said she was one of two people working to serve just five households. In 2025, a team of 20 people helped 826 households.
Shanley-Loveless said the earmark will help the organization reach its capital campaign goal, which is now 86% complete. The campaign has funded a warehouse for Revitalize CDC to store cleaning products, including vacuums and air purifiers; repair supplies, such as wheelbarrows, paintbrushes and tools, and cold food storage. The federal funding will purchase steel racking and walk-in refrigeration. Right now, Shanley-Loveless explained, deliveries that come from Fruit Fair in Chicopee are stored in standard refrigerators.
Some of the earmark will be put toward information technology upgrades at the organization’s community engagement center, where it hosts classes in topics that include cooking and energy efficiency. The parking lot at the Cadwell Street headquarters also need to be repaved.
The work of Revitalize CDC is funded through donations, grants and private funding from businesses. Shanley-Loveless said 92 cents of every dollar the organization receives goes directly to services for the community. She also pointed out that Massachusetts offers a 50% tax credit to anyone, no matter where they live, who donates to Revitalize CDC. The organization has only received one other federal earmark. That one was received a few years ago through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is currently being used to repair 20 homes in Chicopee, Springfield and Holyoke. She said receiving federal funds can be a slow process, but the organization appreciates every dollar.
Shanley-Loveless said, “We’re really grateful to both Sen. Markey and Sen Warren for helping is provide services to help the community with these really essential needs.”
