Celebrating One Year of Community Spotlights
When Sanctuary set out on a mission to support individuals who are bravely committed to improving the health of our community and region, we understood that it would require dreaming big and approaching things differently. We envisioned a community of activists who show up for their community by showing up for themselves. Yet when we thought more about what to do with all of that creative and impassioned energy, it became clear that we needed to go outside our four walls and build connections with like-minded organizations. The Community Spotlight Series came into fruition, and was officially launched in March 2024.
Reflecting on the first year of outreach, awareness-building, and collaboration, there are many things we’ve learned and are inspired to build upon:
We’ve received an overwhelming response from spotlight organizations that our approach to community engagement is generous, appreciated, and impactful.
By providing multiple pathways for awareness-building (i.e. social media, blogs, newsletters, printed materials, and community events), we are leveraging Sanctuary’s resources in meaningful and unprecedented ways.
Many of the organizations we reach out to are very busy working through their annual calendars of outreach events and fundraising campaigns, so being invited to step back and reflect on the history, vision, and impact of their work through our blog post questionnaire is both refreshing and rewarding.
For organizations that lack a physical space to host meetings or community events, Sanctuary’s offer to make our studio available to them for an activity of their choosing can be profound. For some, there is a real barrier to renting out facilities at market rates, so the opening of our space to support their organization provided a pathway they could not have realized otherwise.
Offering a fresh take on how businesses can support the work of nonprofit organizations, the Community Spotlight Series is rooted in creativity and exploration. Partner organizations are challenged to think outside the box and identify new ways to connect with community members to tell their stories.
As a community center for personal healing and collective well-being, Sanctuary knew full well before we jumped into this project that the individuals working within each organization needed and deserved more opportunities for self-care. Leading a non-profit is emotional and taxing work, and without taking moments to rest and heal is not sustainable. And with the disruptive political influences now impacting our community organizations in cruel and damaging ways, it's that much more important to take care of these individuals. With that, we’re very excited to announce that we’ve begun planning our first annual Community Spotlight Retreat Day—a thoughtfully curated day of self-care and connection. Stay tuned for more information!
Lastly, we’re actively looking to fill up our 2025 calendar, so whether you are a part of an organization or would like to suggest one you think we should connect with, please fill out one of the forms on our Community Engagement page.
-Jonathan
Updates from past Community Spotlight Organizations:
Grow Food Northampton (April 2024)
Over the past year, we have continued to strengthen our programs and expand our impact. Our Community Gardens at Public Housing program has grown to 11 sites, providing more residents in Northampton and Florence with the opportunity to grow their own food. We received a grant to create a Farm & Food Access Hub at our Community Farm in Florence, which will improve food storage and distribution. This project became even more urgent after flooding in 2023, highlighting the need for more resilient infrastructure. We’ve also been actively advocating for more funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which helps families afford fresh food from local farms. Last year, we also launched the Stories of Seed Sovereignty Garden, a space that explores the deep history of seed saving and its role in food justice.
In 2025, we plan to build on the momentum of the past year. We’re focused on projects at the GFN Community Farm to add infrastructure for leasing farms, space for educational and community events and thoughtful land stewardship. Our year-round farmers markets (Tuesday Market and Winter Market) continue to grow and provide a financial boost for those on SNAP with our SNAP Match program and several vendors who accept HIP. In 2025 we're working with partners and community members to help convince Gov. Healey to secure full funding for the valuable HIP program. We're also deepening our connections with the Northampton Public Schools including field trips for all elementary students and a beloved after school club at JFK Middle School.
One of the biggest challenges we face is funding uncertainty. Changes in state and federal budgets could affect programs that many people rely on, including HIP and other food access initiatives. Climate change is another growing concern, as extreme weather events continue to make farming more unpredictable and increase the need for stronger infrastructure and climate resilience strategies. We’re also working to address systemic barriers that make it harder for some communities to access land and fresh food. Despite these challenges, we’re excited about what’s ahead. With the continued support of our community, we’re committed to strengthening local food systems and ensuring that fresh, healthy food is accessible to everyone. Join us!
-Niki Lankowski, Communications Manager
Read our Community Spotlight Interview with Grow Food Northampton
Donate to Grow Food Northampton | Visit their website
It Takes a Village (October 2024)
With joy and gratitude, we announce a transformative milestone—we've purchased our historic church building in downtown Huntington! This vibrant hub of family support houses Western Massachusetts' largest basic needs center, serving over 2,500 families annually. After years of relocations, our Village has permanent roots. We envision a welcoming, fully accessible center where families can find everything from essential supplies to parenting workshops, workforce training, and compassionate support—all under one roof.
Our Village has grown to serve nearly 6,000 families across 125 communities, welcoming newcomers from 36 countries! To reflect this diversity, we’re launching a Diversity Advisory Council. We are seeking passionate voices from all corners of our community: BIPOC individuals, LGBTQIA+ members, immigrants, refugees, foster parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, and other community stakeholders who share our vision of a truly inclusive Village. Learn more and express your interest here.
We have a growing need for volunteers throughout our programs—especially when it comes to the Village Closet and our Home Visit Volunteer Program that supports postpartum families. Individuals or groups that are interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities can learn more here.
-Kenzie Kinsella, Communications & Development Manager
Read our Community Spotlight interview with It Takes a Village
Donate to It Takes a Village | Visit their website
Northampton Survival Center (November 2024)
Our goal for 2025 is to distribute even more food to the low-income individuals and families we serve. In November, we laid the groundwork for this increase in capacity by purchasing a new freezer—thanks to donors who rallied together to fund the freezer and fill it with food. Our clients are excited to be able to choose frozen vegetables as an alternative to canned. Frozen veggies are picked and frozen at the height of ripeness, making them a healthy, convenient option for busy families. The new freezer has also allowed us to accept more free frozen foods from organizations like Rachel’s Table and the Food Bank, which means we’re distributing even more food to our clients.
We’re also working hard this year to increase our outreach to potential clients and our fundraising efforts to keep up with demand. In uncertain times, many local families worry about the reliability of benefits like SNAP and increased scrutiny around things like immigration status. We want our clients and potential clients to know that we’re a private nonprofit organization and we’ll have groceries available for everyone in our service area who needs us—regardless of immigration status.
-Danielle Brown, Development Director
Read our Community Spotlight interview with the Northampton Survival Center
