HOLYOKE — The Western Massachusetts Training Consortium, located at 187 High St., shared upcoming events to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This milestone marks five decades of dedicated service and positive impact in the community.
The theme for the 50th anniversary is “Mission Possible,” reflecting on the unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those they serve. To commemorate this significant milestone, the consortium has planned a series of fundraising events throughout the year, inviting everyone to join in the celebrations and make this occasion truly memorable.
The Consortium mission “creates conditions in which people who have faced marginalization, oppression, or otherwise felt invisible are better able to pursue their dreams and strengthen communities through voice, choice, and inclusion. This is supported by an organizational commitment to address systems of oppression and work toward undoing the harms they have caused.”
The Consortium Executive Director Kristel Applebee explained the history and work of The Consortium over the past 50 years.
She explained that the organization opened in 1975 during a time of deinstitutionalization where places like Belchertown State School and Northampton State Hospital were being sued through class action lawsuits by family members who were not satisfied with the care their family members were receiving.
She further explained, “Institutions were closing in favor of community support and so why we have training in our name is we were started to help train folks who worked in the institutions and perhaps, more importantly, to listen to the folks who were living in the institution about what they wanted and needed for support to be able to successfully live independently in communities.”
The Consortium still carries the same values in their work today and have continued to grow and expand.
“Our work has expanded over 50 years to include all kinds of support for people to live in their most self-determined way in community and to be members of the community to the extent that they want to,” Applebee stated.
The organization has grown from having one office to 29 locations with nearly 400 employees and 13 unique programs supporting people throughout Western Massachusetts.
Programs include peer recovery support centers, mental health peer to peer centers, support for those healing from violence, and they also provide residential and community support to adults with developmental disabilities.
Applebee talked about the programs and said, “The impact we’ve had is people who are marginalized and experience being invisible in our society then become thriving, active people who have support to engage in healthy, enjoyable life activities that so many people take for granted.
The Consortium started their schedule of events with the Gallery of Thank Yous Kick Off Celebration on March 20 at Union Station in Northampton.
Applebee said it was a great opportunity to honor “the shoulders on which we stand,” including mentors, donors, sponsors, vendors, past organization leaders, longtime community members and board members.
The next fundraising event takes place on Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. with The Funny Raising Comedy Show with comedian Jess Miller and Friends. The event will take place at Summit View Banquet House, 555 Northampton St.
Tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/2jk7w7e5.
Applebee stated, “The comedy show is a real opportunity to have fun. You know, we’re in trying times where people are facing such struggles so to have the opportunity to come together and laugh and celebrate and have a great time. I think people just need a good laugh. They need a night to let down and have some fun.
The fundraising event after that will be a community engagement fair on Thursday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Veterans Park. A potential rain date is to be decided.
Applebee said there will be food trucks, music, organizations tabling and various resources available. It will be a great opportunity for the community for people to come together to celebrate and connect.
The final fundraising event that was announced was a Charcuterie & Conversation Donor Appreciation on Friday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. The location is to be announced.
Applebee said, “We’re really looking forward to gathering our donors to show appreciation to them, to have the opportunity to thank them for the great support and work that they’re doing. We could not do this work without the support our various funders and we want to offer a sincere thanks for all they do.”
Applebee also encouraged everyone to join in and make the most of these celebrations.
“Your presence and support will make a significant difference, and we look forward to celebrating our 50th milestone together,” she said.
For more information about The Consortium or its upcoming events, readers can visit wmtcinfo.org.
