HCC, GCC grants for paraeducator, nursing assistant training
HOLYOKE – Holyoke and Greenfield Community Colleges recently landed Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grants from the state, part of $1.5 million to community colleges across Massachusetts to train more than 500 unemployed and under-employed people.
These grants will be administered through 13 of the state’s public community colleges and are designed to equip adult workers with the skills necessary to thrive in key industry sectors, ensuring that the workforce is prepared with the skills for the opportunities of today and tomorrow.
HCC’s $123,235 grant will be used to educate students in paraeducator training, while GCC’s $102,309 grant will go toward certified nursing assistant and phlebotomy training.
“As federal support for education declines, Massachusetts is charging forward – investing deeply in our community colleges and the students they uplift,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These TRAIN grants demonstrate that our commonwealth understands community colleges are not just classrooms, they are engines for equity, opportunity, and economic growth. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for continuing to lead with that vision.”
Klyman honored as Lawyer of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman, a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., has been named Lawyer of the Year in the fields of trusts and estates and elder law in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, marking the 19th consecutive year she has been honored by her peers.
A Westhampton resident, Klyman is regarded as one of western Massachusetts’ preeminent elder law and estate planning attorneys. She began her legal career at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin more than 30 years ago working with clients in the areas of elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, estate planning, estate administration, trust and estate litigation and MassHealth appeals.
In addition to her client work, Klyman has dedicated her career to advancing the practice of elder law and special needs planning and educating lawyers interested in representing elder and disabled clients facing difficult financial, personal and legal choices.
Klyman is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American Bar Foundation, and is an active member of the national and Massachusetts chapters of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). For 20 years prior to entering the legal field, Klyman worked as a journalist in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Florida.
Big Y highlights promotions
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y recently announced a series of promotions within the company as part of its continued focus on nurturing talent, fostering a culture of growth and recognizing the hard work and passion of its employees.
Employees from Hampshire County include Karri L. Pappis, of Belchertown, bakery sales manager; and Keith E. Callahan, of Holyoke, night manager.
2025 Women of Impact to be honored
SPRINGFIELD — The Women of Impact class of 2025 has been announced by BusinessWest. This year’s honorees are:
- Tara Brewster, vice president of business development and director of philanthropy, Greenfield Savings Bank
- Ayanna Crawford, president, AC Consulting and Media Services
- Tracy Friedenberg, executive director, Bacon Wilson, P.C.
- Rania Kfuri, vice president for philanthropy, sales, and marketing, Glenmeadow
- Chelsea Kline, executive director, Cancer Connection
- Angelina Ramirez, CEO, Stavros Center for Independent Living
- Amanda Sanderson, executive director, Resilience Center of Franklin County
- Sarah Rose Stack, lecturer of public relations, UMass Amherst
The Women of Impact awards gala will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of eight are available. They can be purchased at https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar/women-of-impact-2025/
In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program tohonor women in the region whose lives reflect that title. There are so many different ways to create positive change in the world. The women honored through this program have been successful, inspiring, and, most importantly, impactful.
Florence Bank, employees donate $73K to United Way
FLORENCE — Florence Bank recently announced a gift of $73,520 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. Florence Bank provided direct support of $50,000, and its team members pledged an additional $23,520 as part of the bank’s annual workplace campaign. The combined gift will be used to support the annual Diaper Drive, food insecurity efforts, the Ski United event and several event sponsorships.
Geoff Naunheim, executive director of United Way, said he hopes that Florence Bank’s commitment will encourage other organizations and individuals to consider increasing — or doubling — their pledges.
Florence Bank has a long history of supporting United Way, and these current team members are taking part in various efforts: Christina “Chris” Mullen, loan servicing manager / assistant vice president, and Ryan Hess, commercial team leader / vice president, are United Way Campaign Committee members, and Mullen also writes 50 to 100 thank you letters to donors each month on behalf of United Way; Jenna Rahilly, chief human resources and strategy officer / senior vice president, sits on the Community Investment Committee; and Kim Baker, commercial loan operations and compliance specialist / vice president, helped found Ski United.
In 2025, 54 partner nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley were supported with United Way grants. For a list visit uw-fh.org/, click on Our Impact / Community Investment.
To donate through the website, click Donate on the Home page or mail a check to P.O. Box 123, Northampton, MA 01061; make checks payable to United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region.
