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Date: 5/31/2022
HOLYOKE – The Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice awarded $4,300 through five mini-grants to organizations in the Holyoke area who are fighting injustice, oppression and poverty.
Carlos Vega was a local activist for civil rights, community-building, education, healthcare and social justice in Holyoke and the donor designated fund in his name was started in 2010 to honor Vega on his 60th birthday and to continue his 40-year legacy by awarding small grants to nonprofit organizations through an annual competitive process. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
Carlos Vega formed and led Nueva Esperanza, a nonprofit group that is a catalyst and partner for Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean community in Holyoke. Vega passed away in 2012 with over 40 years of public service and activism to his name.
His son, former state Rep. and current Holyoke Director of Planning and Economic Development Aaron Vega, honored this year’s recipients during a ceremony May 20 at El Mercado, part of Nueva Esperanza. This was the same venue during the first announcements made in 2012.
The grants were awarded to initiatives that foster change and promote empowerment, self-help, and economic, political and social justice. The purpose of the grants is to support efforts to address injustice, oppression and poverty in the greater Holyoke area particularly for those who are marginalized within society.
According to Vega, the fund typically gives out grants that total $8,000 each year but the coronavirus pandemic caused funding obstacles for the current year. Vega added the grants are project-based to make a more significant impact, especially for organizations short on money or limited by conditions of other grants. He mentioned some recipients are first time but others are “returning customers.”
Awardees included WestMass ElderCare, who received $1,000, $1,000 to Coronavirus and our Western Mass Community, $1,000 to Granby To Go, $1,000 to the Gray House for Adult Education Health and Wellness, and $300 to Eagle Eye Institute.
Jennifer Dewitt of Granby To Go said the organization helps families and students who need nutritional assistance and support services. The group also provides donated clothing as well as food for students and operates out of the Granby Junior-Senior High School. The group used past and current grants to buy a washer, dryer and refrigerator which Dewitt said has made a difference for students and families involved in the program.
Sarah Asheim of WestMass Eldercare thanked the Vega fund for their ongoing support of the Rainbow Social Club, a group dedicated to the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer or questioning) community that was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Asheim said the group stayed connected virtually to cope with COVID-19 and now is looking to be on the up and out from the tough situation.
“The funding that we’re receiving from the fund is going to help up rebuild after the (coronavirus) pandemic,” Assheim said.
The group is open to persons 60 and over, friends, families and allies of the LGBTQ community and meets twice monthly and are looking to resume a popular meal program.
Later this fall, the fund plans to honor the legacy of founding member Mary Birks, who passed away in 2021 and was an outspoken advocate in Holyoke.