Latest news with #HelixHumanServices
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services holds Pride flag-raising ceremony in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – June is Pride Month, a time for celebrating and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. One local organization marked the occasion with a special flag-raising ceremony. The Springfield nonprofit Helix Human Services hosted the flag-raising on Tuesday as a colorful symbol of inclusion, acceptance, and hope. DCR partners with local LGBTQ+ organizations to host Pride Hikes in Mass. Despite progress made in recent years, the LGBTQ+ community still faces political attacks and discrimination. This event is just one example of how Helix is working towards creating safe spaces and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. It's also helping to build resilience and strength amongst the LGBTQ+ community. 'I think now today it's incredibly important to make sure that we recognize individuals,' said Helix Human Services CEO Mark Paglia. 'And under the climate we live in every day, celebrate individuals, celebrate who they are and who they want to be.' Helix has started programs and services for the LGBTQ plus community. This includes their SHARP residential program which is a safe home for young adults to support youth who've experienced trauma with moderate to severe mental-health and behavioral-health challenges and may be struggling with their personal identity. And during this event, the non-profit also celebrated 160 years of serving the Springfield community. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services Host 7th Annual Taste of Margarita Fundraiser
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Five o'clock in Springfield Friday evening looked a lot like Margaritaville. Though the bartenders were new to the job, they got out of their comfort zone for a meaningful cause. 'We're actually putting a project together for an outdoor basketball court and a play-skate for Mill Pond School in Springfield,' shared Mark Paglia, CEO of Helix Human Services. Helix provides therapeutic services to children and families who've experienced trauma. At the event, eight different businesses got the chance to take part in competing for the title of best margarita. Those mixing and pouring included Lumin, an IT business, White Lion, and a local landscaping company. 'The Hot Honey Be-garita, so we made it with mango puree, Mike's hot honey, fresh lime juice, then we blend it,' shared Anne Collins with Elegant Affairs. 'I'm going between the Hot Honey, which is like a frozen one, but the spicy watermelon one is a huge favorite of mine too, ' shared Kelly Eddy. Pine Hill Landscaping took home the bragging rights and a full right after being crowned this year's winner with their spicy watermelon margarita. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services celebrates 160 years
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – One Springfield non-profit celebrated its 160th anniversary Tuesday morning, marking nearly two centuries of helping families and children in Hampden County. To put it in context, Helix Human Services predates the automobile by about 20 years. In that time, they've held true to their mission of helping those in need. The non-profit started as the Children's Study Home after the Civil War. Their work with children who've experienced trauma has been renowned by local and state officials over the years. 22News Meteorologist Chris Bouzakis wins National Weather Service contest for snowfall prediction CEO Mark Paglia spoke about the continued support from the public, 'I'm incredibly pleased that the community has continued to support us, and politicians, stakeholders, social workers, and a lot of our employees came to celebrate the work that we do.' Reports suggest that Massachusetts has at least 8,500 children in foster care, with only around ten percent of them adopted each year. Helix also provides trauma support for adults and families. Helix is also Springfield's oldest non-profit and the oldest family service organization in Massachusetts. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services celebrates 160th anniversary with flag-raising ceremony for National Child Abuse Prevention
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)- It's National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse is one of our nation's most serious public health problems. For 160 years, Helix Human Services has been raising hope for a brighter future for children and their families in Springfield. The organization began as 'The Children's Study Home' during the Civil War in 1865. Seven women from different churches met to address a rising crisis. The most recent data shows that about 600,000 children were abused and neglected in staff with Helix Human Services and the city of Springfield raised a flag in memory of the young lives lost due to violence, abuse, or neglect. 'We understand that the work of protecting children is not done in isolation, it thrives on collaboration,' said Mark Paglia, CEO of Helix Human Services. 'It requires the dedication of every one of us.' Staff from Helix Human Services are making a call to action. They told 22 News they want everyone to teach children resilience, because at least one in seven children has experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the U.S. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
