Families First - Western Mass

05/15/2026

Today on International Day of Families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💙, we celebrate the strength 💪, resilience 🌟, and love ❤️ that families bring to our communities every day.

At Families First, we are proud to partner with parents and caregivers across Massachusetts 🏡 to build strong families and thriving communities through our programs 📚, support networks 🤝, and opportunities for connection 🌈.

Every family deserves to feel supported 🫶, empowered ✨, and seen 👀. Today and every day, we honor the many ways families care for one another 💕 and the communities they help shape 🌎.

To learn more about Families First, visit our website www.families-first.org

05/08/2026

🎉💛 What a beautiful day at our 2nd Annual Families First FEST Western Mass 💛🎉

Last Saturday, May 2, families from across the community joined us at the Holyoke War Memorial Building for a day full of fun, connection, music, performances, activities, resources, giveaways, and so many smiles ✨🫧🎨🎶🏀

Thank you to every family, volunteer, performer, vendor, sponsor, and community partner who helped make the day so special 💫 Your support and energy mean everything to us 💛 We hope to see you all again next year 🎉✨

📸 Here are some photos from the day! Click the link below to view the full gallery 👇✨ https://www.families-first.org/families-first-fest-wma/

05/07/2026

05/06/2026

Finding your truth isn’t easy 💛 but no parent should have to do it alone

Roxanna, a mom from Dorchester, shared how being part of our program helped her rebuild, grow, and feel supported after trauma. Through connection with other moms and a space that felt safe from day one, she found strength she didn’t know she had ✨

“This program was so impactful… it helped me shape and develop a strong mentality.”

Stories like Roxanna’s remind us why this work matters. Families need connection. Parents need community. And together, we build each other up 🤝

💬 Programs like this are essential for families
💛 Thank you to every parent who shows up and shares their story

🔗 Read more and stay connected!https://www.families-first.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FY26-Spring-Newsletter.pdf

04/26/2026

🎉 Families First FEST Western Mass is just 1 WEEK away! 🎉

Get ready for an afternoon full of fun, performances, family activities, community resources, and exciting raffle prizes!

📍 War Memorial Building
310 Appleton St, Holyoke
🗓 Saturday, May 2, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

🚗 Parking Info:
There are 2 parking lots near the building available plus plenty of street parking!

• A parking lot directly in front of the building (Appleton & Chestnut St)
• An adjacent lot across the street (Maple & Appleton)

Just look for our signs and balloons and you’ll know you’re in the right place 🎈

✨ What to Expect:
Doors open at 1 PM and we’ll kick things off with an exciting Waist Drum Performance to welcome everyone in!

Enjoy local vendors, family resources, kids activities, and performances throughout the day including Bomba and the Chinese Association of Western Mass.

We’ll also have a special guest arriving at 1:30 PM 👀 plus alumni photos at our step & repeat and our raffle drawing to close out the day!

Everything you need to know is in the link below ⬇️ https://www.families-first.org/families-first-fest-wma/

Bring the whole family and come celebrate with us. We can’t wait to see you there 💙

04/23/2026

🎉 RAFFLE ALERT at Families First FEST Western Mass! 🎉

Don’t miss your chance to win some amazing prizes. Join us at the event and enter the raffle. Winners will be drawn at approximately 3:10 PM, and you must be present to win.

✨ We’ll have 6 lucky winners taking home:
• $50 gift card to Ximi-V. A curated selection of unique clothing, toys, jewelry, cosmetics, home items, and more
• $61 gift card to Altitude Trampoline Park. Perfect for a fun-filled day
• Apple Watch Series 7
• 3 Core Meditation Trainer by Hyperice devices

📍 War Memorial Building
310 Appleton St, Holyoke
🗓 Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
⏰ 1:00 to 3:30 PM

Enjoy a fun afternoon with performances, activities for kids, community resources, and more, all while entering for a chance to win.

👉 Register here: https://www.families-first.org/families-first-fest-wma/

Bring your family, invite your friends, and we’ll see you there!

04/23/2026

✨ Parent Leader Spotlight ✨

Precious Jones is a shining example of the heart and impact our Parent Ambassadors bring to Families First 💙 From supporting families in our parenting programs to showing up at community events, Precious is always ready to uplift, connect, and inspire. Her positivity, dedication, and passion help strengthen our community every day, and it shows in every interaction she has.

Want to learn more about Precious and see how Families First is making a difference for families across our community? 📖 Check out our Spring Newsletter for her story and more powerful moments of impact.

🔗 Read more and stay connected!https://www.families-first.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FY26-Spring-Newsletter.pdf

04/21/2026

📺✨ Our Executive Director Sue Covitz and Parent Ambassador Precious Jones were on Mass Appeal this morning sharing all about Families First and inviting families to join us at Families First FEST Western Mass! 🎉

Get ready for an afternoon full of family fun with activities, community resources, entertainment, and so much more 💛👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎶🎨

📍 War Memorial Building, 310 Appleton St, Holyoke
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 1:00–3:30 PM

🎟️ Register today and learn more: https://give.families-first.org/2026WMAFFFest

https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/families-first-fest-western-mass-event/

(Mass Appeal) – Families First is a nonprofit that amplifies the power of parents so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities.Here to tell us more about their Families…

04/16/2026

Get ready for hands-on fun at Families First FEST Western Mass! 🎉

Explore our Special Activities, including a chance to try out the harp and violin with the Community Music School of Springfield and enjoy a plant potting experience with Hampden County Juvenile Probation.

There’s something for the whole family to discover, create, and enjoy. Join us for an afternoon of fun, learning, and community connection! 🌱🎻✨

Learn more and get all the event details here: https://www.families-first.org/families-first-fest-wma/

01/03/2026

Proud moment for parent leadership.

Our Executive Director is serving on the Community Steering Committee for Massachusetts’ Initiative to Reduce Child Neglect, representing parent leadership while working alongside the State Steering Committee and partners across the Commonwealth.

Convened by The Children's Trust, this statewide coalition brings together state agencies, family serving organizations, individuals with lived experience, and communities to shift the way Massachusetts supports families. The goal is to strengthen connections to support so filing a report to child protective services is no longer seen as the first or only option.

We are honored to contribute to this work and to help ensure families and parent leaders are at the center of solutions.