Here are the latest winners of Carlos Vega Fund awards to promote social justice

Carlos Vega Park, Holyoke

The Carlos Vega Park in South Holyoke. (Dennis Hohenberger Photo)Dennis Hohenberger / Special to The Republican

HOLYOKE — The Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice has awarded four mini-grants to organizations in the Holyoke area fighting injustice, oppression and poverty. The fund provides financial support to grassroots initiatives and organizations.

The 2023 recipients: Give with Love’s Back to School Drive; Holyoke Health Center’s expanding children’s book program; El Colibrí/Amherst Shelter’s pilot program; and an “appreciation grant” to Beyond Walls for their mural work in Holyoke.

The recipients will each receive a $1,000 award during a May 12 ceremony at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center.

Give with Love’s Back to School Drive will provide backpacks and school supplies to children in need. Holyoke Health Center will expand its children’s book program to provide age-appropriate graphic novels banned or challenged in communities to preteens ages 10-12 at well-child visits

El Colibrí/Amherst Shelter’s pilot program offers monthly passes to the Holyoke YMCA for unhoused women, giving them access to showers, health and fitness classes and other services to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

“We are very grateful to the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice board members for recognizing this initiative. This project seeks to return dignity to women living on the streets of Holyoke, most of whom do not have access to showers or bathroom facilities,” said Kevin J. Noonan, El Colibrí’s president.

Noonan added that helping women fulfill their basic needs is challenging.

Beyond Walls’ grant will support an engagement program. The group of artists painted murals celebrating the Puerto Rican community and its heritage.

The fund was established in 2010 to honor the legacy of Carlos Vega, the former executive director of Nueva Esperanza in Holyoke. Vega championed social justice causes and worked on behalf of South Holyoke until his death in April 2012.

A South Holyoke park bears Vega’s name and is within a short walk from Nueva Esperanza’s Main Street locale.

A statement said the mini-grants address injustice, oppression and poverty in the region, particularly for those marginalized by society. The fund promotes self-help and economic, political, and social justice.

Since its inception, the fund has given $66,570 to 52 regional organizations. Past awardees include The Gray House, Enchanted Circle Theater, Homework House, Holyoke Safe Schools Initiative, Western Mass Elder Care, and Holyoke Public Schools. Visit the fund’s website for more information

The Carlos Vega Fund also welcomed new advisory members: Amber Black of Easthampton, Iris V. Crespo of Chicopee, and Courtney Joaquin, granddaughter of Carlos Vega, who recently finished a social work degree at Elms College.

“I am thrilled to have three new members join the advisory board. Their experience and enthusiasm are energizing to all the board members. I am especially excited to have my daughter Courtney join and be part of her first board experience,” Aaron Vega said.

In 2022, Neftali Duran, a noted chef and teacher, was named the Carlos Vega Social Justice Award recipient. Duran, a native of Oaxaca, Mexico, was honored for his commitment to nutrition and alleviating hunger in the community.

By Beyond Walls
April 27th, 2023

Related Blog

The Downtown Lynn Cultural District Restaurant Guide

The Downtown Lynn Cultural District Restaurant Guide

🍽️ Calling all food lovers! 🌍 Discover the Downtown Lynn Cultural District restaurant guide, your passport to a world of flavors! 🌮🍝🌱 Lynn’s local restaurants offer a diverse array of […]

Read
🎉🎨 Celebrating 6 Years of United Rentals’ Incredible Support for Beyond Walls! 🙌✨

🎉🎨 Celebrating 6 Years of United Rentals’ Incredible Support for Beyond Walls! 🙌✨

  We are thrilled to express our deepest gratitude to United Rentals for their unwavering support over the past six years. Their generous contribution of lifts, generators, and exceptional service […]

Read
FINAL FRIDAYS: GALLERY NIGHT

FINAL FRIDAYS: GALLERY NIGHT

FINAL FRIDAYS: GALLERY NIGHT Join us on the last Friday of each month for Final Fridays! Each month features a different theme, music, art-making activities, and late-night fun at the […]

Read
The Lowell Sun | The Five Minute Read

The Lowell Sun | The Five Minute Read

Sept. 30, 2022 –In partnership with Project LEARN, ArtUp Lowell and Beyond Walls, Middlesex Community College is home to the installation of five murals on the college’s buildings, including the […]

Read
Biotech’s next destination: Why not Lynn?

Biotech’s next destination: Why not Lynn?

A piece of art commissioned by Beyond Walls in Lynn involves a rat made up of recycled materials. May 19, 2022. (Photo by Shira Schoenberg) UNCATEGORIZED Biotech’s next destination: Why […]

Read
How Art Creates Economic Health And Prosperity In Cities And Towns

How Art Creates Economic Health And Prosperity In Cities And Towns

with Al Wilson of Beyond Walls   “We activate spaces to strengthen communities, and that takes a wide variety of forms.” CEO of Beyond Walls, Al Wilson, talks using a creative […]

Read
The Great Brick Race and Doors Open Holyoke return to the city

The Great Brick Race and Doors Open Holyoke return to the city

Updated: Sep. 28, 2022, 5:46 a.m.| Published: Sep. 28, 2022, 5:45 a.m. 05.14.2011 | HOLYOKE – Dan Overton sends his brick racer for a test run while John Degnan looks on at […]

Read
Free Community Events in July Celebrate Creation of 3 New Murals in Fall River

Free Community Events in July Celebrate Creation of 3 New Murals in Fall River

July 7, 2022 By mikesilvia   Get ready for a colorful and fun-filled July in Fall River! The Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition (FRACC) and Viva Fall River invite […]

Read
LYNN COMMUNITY GETS TO PLAY AROUND WITH IDEAS FOR PARK

LYNN COMMUNITY GETS TO PLAY AROUND WITH IDEAS FOR PARK

BY ALLYSHA DUNNIGAN| April 6, 2022 Lynn City Councilor Rick Starbard is hosting a community meeting to discuss renovations for Cook Street Park. (Spenser Hasak) LYNN — City Councilor Rick Starbard, the […]

Read

Lynn will show its pride with a series of community events

BY ALLYSHA DUNNIGAN| June 2, 2021 LYNN — The city is celebrating Pride Month with a series of events in June, beginning with a downtown ceremony, where the Commuter Rail […]

Read