Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Forty-five years later, Springfield Partners is still fighting for the area's underserved

Date: 10/19/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- Although President Lyndon Johnson declared a war on poverty 45 years ago, that war still hasn't been won, Paul Bailey, executive director of Springfield Partners for Community Action, told Reminder Publications.

The non-profit organization is the official anti-poverty agency for Springfield and is noting its 45th anniversary with a gala celebration dinner on Oct. 29.

At the gala, Bailey will present community service awards to Dr. Matthew D. Sadof, pediatrician and director of School Based Health at Baystate Children's Hospital; Rev. Gregory Dyson, pastor of Church in the Acres and an advocate for the homeless; and Robert M. Coard, retiring President of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and a nationally-recognized shaper of social policy and legislation.

The achievements of former client Glenda Mercado made through the Individual Development Account savings program sponsored by the agency will also be recognized.

The agency was created 45 years ago through Johnson's legislation.

Bailey said the effort to eliminate poverty continues.

"We're still fighting it," he said. "It's an on-going issue."

He noted that levels of poverty "ebb and flow" with the economy and the current recession hasn't helped.

"I don't believe the majority of people are in those positions [of poverty] because they want to be," he added.

Curr-ently, Springfield Partners for Community Action (SPCA) offers a wide array of programs, which include Asthma Outreach, Community Health Advocacy, Credit Counseling, Energy Savings Workshops, Eviction Clinics, Extended Day Care, Financial Literacy Workshops, Home Furnishing Program, Homebuyer Education and HUD-certified Housing Counseling. SPCA also operates the New Beginnings Child Care Center.

The agency is bringing back the SERVE New England Food Program it once hosted. SERVE is a national program allowing people to buy food through a monthly allotment at a low price and with proof of two hours of volunteer service a month. The program is open to anyone.

Bailey said the job base has eroded in Springfield and he would work toward "linking Springfield with more thriving communities such as Hartford and New Haven [Conn.], Worcester and Boston."

He doesn't think Springfield has any different challenges than any other urban community.

He said that he would like to see additional funding for education programs -- "anything to give people a skill" -- as well as well as greater emphasis on addressing health issues such as diabetes.

While funding is an issue for most social services agencies, Bailey said reductions in state funding hasn't been an issue as most of SPCA's backing comes from federal sources. He said the agency received close to $1 million for programming and another $8.6 million for its weatherization program through stimulus funds.

"The funding today is solid," Bailey said.

"We're here for some time to come," Bailey continued. "Hopefully we won't be around for another 45 years."

For tickets or information about the 45th gala, visit www.springfieldpartnersinc.com or call 263-6500 ext. 6504.