Author: john_velis

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VELIS DELIVERS 5TH ANNUAL STUDENT LETTERS TO VETERANS’ HOME

(11/11/2024) Today, Senator John C. Velis delivered letters from local students in the Hampden and Hampshire District to residents at the Veterans’ Home in Holyoke in honor of Veterans Day. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Velis has organized this initiative with over 20 different schools from Westfield, Agawam, West Springfield, and other communities participating.

“What began as an effort to find a way for our community to safely share our appreciation with Veterans at the Home during the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitation at the Home was extremely limited, has now become an annual tradition that the Home’s residents, and local teachers and students throughout our community, look forward to each year,” shared Senator John C. Velis, who is a Veteran himself. “One of my favorite things about this project, apart from the smiles that it brings to the residents, is the opportunity that it provides for our local students to learn and reflect on the sacrifices that these men and women have each made to protect our nation and the freedoms we hold dear.”

Velis shared that student of all ages, from pre-school all through high school, helped create over 1,000 letters, cards, and even a large American flag sign for the residents of the Home this year. Additional letters from students will be shared by Senator Velis with the American Red Cross to be included in care packages sent to troops overseas.

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Week of November 9th

Hello everyone, 

Before jumping into all of the activity around the district this week I want to share how grateful I am to have been re-elected this Tuesday  to serve as the State Senator of Hampden and Hampshire District. It’s an absolute honor and privilege to have the opportunity to continue to represent our district in the Massachusetts Senate! Thank you! 

This week we have had a lot to celebrate in and around our district. I kicked off Thursday over at Barnes Air National Guard Base to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new “Minuteman Gate”. The new gate was relocated to be right along Route 10 and 202 as part of overall upgrades at the base as we prepare for the new F-35 Jets.  

Later that day I made my way over to the Holyoke Veterans’ Home where I joined Governor Healey, Secretary Santiago, Representative Duffy and many other local officials from around Western Massachusetts to celebrate a major milestone in the construction efforts of the new Home. With the iron work now completed ahead of schedule, it moves our community closer to finally achieving a new state of the art facility that is befitting of the service and sacrifices of our Commonwealth’s veterans. Constructed and designed to meet the changing medical needs and demographics of our veteran population, this new facility will bring new meaning to the Veterans Home in Holyoke’s mission of providing care with honor and dignity. I look forward to continuing to watch this construction take shape and the day that our veterans can finally call this new facility their home! 

This week my team and I also spent of time traveling to schools all around the district to begin collecting letters from students for the residents of the Veterans’ Home. What began as an idea to safely connect with residents of the Home during the pandemic has now became an annual tradition for my office. Our local students have done an excellent job writing such thoughtful and artistic letters and I can’t wait to share them with the residents on Monday afternoon.  

I rounded off the week over at Gateway Regional Middle School to speak with students from Russell and Montgomery about the importance of Veterans Day. Gatherings like these provide an incredible opportunity for students to hear from Veterans in their communities about their service and the sacrifices they have each made to protect our nation and the freedoms we hold dear. I also hope that this opportunity inspires and encourages the next generation to consider joining our armed services.  

This week my office hosted office hours in Agawam. Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday November 12th from 10:00AM to 11:00AM and in West Springfield on Tuesday November 13th from 11:00am to 12:00PM. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Best, 

John Velis 

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Week of November 2nd

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween. This past week has been another busy one in our district and at the State House, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you. 

On Monday, I had a blast calling Bingo at the Agawam Council on Aging. Visiting our local senior centers is always a great time but if I must admit calling BINGO continues to be one of my favorite activities to participate in. Thank you to Director Cindy Sullivan for inviting me to help call a few games! 

I was over at the State House on Tuesday to help convene the first meeting of the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. I am beyond grateful to the Senate President for entrusting me to lead this commission during a time when our Jewish friends and neighbors are enduring such disturbing acts of hate in our Commonwealth. Last year, Massachusetts saw 440 individual acts of antisemitism across our state including acts of vandalism, harassment, and physical assault targeting Jewish children, adults, and institutions. Simply put- there is no room for hate of any kind in Massachusetts. Over the next year the Special Commission will be making its way across the state to meet with those with subject knowledge expertise and to hear from community members on how we can reverse these alarming numbers. 

On Friday, I visited Holyoke Medical Center to present a citation to Maria Quinn, whom I had the honor of nominating for the Latino Excellence Awards. Maria is the Director of the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Support Services at Holyoke Medical Center, where she leads a dedicated team in providing vital support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders.  Maria’s leadership and innovative strategies are helping to break down barriers and create a supportive environment for those in recovery. I am proud to celebrate her work and the difference she is making in our community. 

I also want to give a heartfelt congratulations to Cheryl Richards, Brian Richards, and Bill Westerlind who all received the Volunteer of the Year Award for their incredible dedication to our community. Cheryl and Brian have been serving a monthly meal at the Westfield Soup Kitchen for the past 25 years and Bill helps leads the incredible programs with Artworks of Westfield. All of their commitment to bettering our community is a true testament to the spirit of service. It was a privilege to share a citation with them and to recognize all the other remarkable volunteers who were nominated. 

This week my office hosted office hours in Westfield and Southampton; Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday November 4th from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.  

Sincerely,  

John Velis  

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Senator Velis Receives Legislator of the Year Award from Providers’ Council

(Boston– 10/30/2024) Last week, the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers presented Senator John C. Velis with the 2024 “Legislator of the Year Award” during the Council’s 49th Annual Convention and Expo in Boston. Senator Velis (D- Westfield), who serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, shared how honored he was to receive this award.

“Our human service workers are truly some of the most selfless people out there, directly caring for those in our communities with disabilities or those struggling with a behavioral health challenge. I am truly beyond honored to be recognized by the Providers’ Council and their members for my work advocating for these frontline heroes.” shared Senator Velis. “I am particularly grateful to my dear friend Lois Nesci, and all those at the Gandara Center, for nominating me for this award. It is such a privilege to be able to work alongside such dedicated community partners like the Gandara Center to learn about the challenges that need to be addressed to make behavioral healthcare more accessible.”

Senator Velis was joined the Provider’s Council at Westfield State University as a guest speaker this past September during the organization’s Western Massachusetts Caring Force Rally, which highlighted the essential services provided by direct support professionals. This session, Velis helped usher an expansive substance use and recovery bill through the Senate which would establish a licensure process for recovery coaches in the Commonwealth. If included in the final Senate-House compromise package, this provision would provide much anticipated recognition of the importance of lived experience and help grow this profession with-in the human services sector.

“Senator Velis demonstrates his commitment to the individuals of Massachusetts who need support and services to manage the challenges that substance use, and behavioral health bring to their lives. His support of our industry, the providers that work hard every day to make a difference, is unwavering and he ensures his advocacy for the resources we need to carry out our missions.” shared Lois Nesci, CEO of the Gandara Center. “He does this in both words and action. I have often shared with the Senator that when he visits a program or attends an event, he truly “shows up” ….. ready to support, ready to listen and ready to take the next steps. My sincere congratulations to someone who makes an incredible difference every day.”

The Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, also known as the Providers’ Council, is Massachusetts largest human services membership association representing over 220 community-based agencies around the Commonwealth including the Gandara Center. During the ceremony the Provider’s Council recognized 13 other individuals from across the state for their work in the human services sector.

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Weekly Update – October 26th

Hello Everyone, 

I hope everyone had good week.  The leaves seemed to have hit their peak, and the Pioneer Valley has been absolutely gorgeous this week.  While it has been unseasonably warm this week, I would like to remind everyone that my office is readily available to assist with applications for fuel assistance should you or anyone you know need it.   

I started off my week proudly accepting the Legislator of the Year award from the Providers’ Council. This wonderful organization works and advocates on behalf of our hard-working human service providers across the Commonwealth. I am extremely grateful to my good friends at the Gandara Center for nominating me for this honor. The Gandara Center, and all those like it here in our region, provide such critical services for families and individuals in need. Much of the legislation that I was able to get over the finish line this session was due in large part to their knowledge and collaboration.  As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, it’s my honor to work alongside programs and providers like the Gandara Center. 

Wednesday, we had a farewell that will be felt across the Westfield community.  Mary Lou Niedzielski, longtime coordinator for the Westfield Council on Aging, and my dear friend, will be retiring from her role at the end of the month.  After many years of service to the folks of all ages in and around Westfield, you will be deeply missed. Thank you for everything that you have done for our community.  Please enjoy your retirement; it is so well deserved! 

Friday morning, I presented a citation to Wayfinders to commemorate the ribbon cutting of Rosewood Way, a new housing development in Agawam. This new mixed income housing will go a long way to providing sorely needed housing options to those in our community with their 62 new residences. Congratulations! 

Friday afternoon, I attended the Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon.  Our small businesses are the backbone of our community, and the Chamber makes sure they have the resources they need to thrive.  This luncheon was very productive, and we discussed how Beacon Hill can best work alongside our business community to make sure that Westfield and the surrounding towns continue to develop.  Thank you to the Chamber for hosting and for asking me to speak.   

This week my office hosted office hours at the Russell COA on Tuesday.  Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Westfield COA on Monday October 28th from 11:30am to 12:30pm and at the Southampton COA on Wednesday October 30th from 9:30am to 10:30am. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

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Weekly Update- October 19th

Hello everyone, 

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the long weekend and peep some of the leaves.  The temperatures got below freezing for the first time this year here in Western Massachusetts.  I would like to remind everyone that my office stands at the ready to help in applications for fuel assistance.  The earlier the better is a good rule of thumb.   

Wednesday morning, I joined Massachusetts Secretary of Education, Patrick Tutwiler, right here in Westfield to discuss options available to Westfield High students preparing for higher education.  Since 2014, Westfield Public Schools has had the “Westfield Promise Program” which allows students who are still in high school to take introductory courses at Westfield State University, allowing them to have a leg up on deciding where they would like to focus their studies once they are in school.  I would like to than the Secretary for coming all the way out to Western Mass and am looking forward to working together to better our education system here in the Commonwealth.   

Later that afternoon, I joined members of the Holyoke legislative delegation to celebrate the announcement of $1 million in Congressional funding that has been allocated to the Holyoke Health Center’s workforce development program.  This pivotal program would help build our healthcare workforce right here in Western Mass; training students to have fulfilling careers in sectors that are so desperately understaffed.  Thank you to Senator Markey and the federal delegation for helping to secure this funding.   

Thursday evening marked the celebration of the 50th anniversary for the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation.  The purpose of this corporation has been to return former military assets from Westover back to civilian use and has converted over 1,300 acres to places of businesses over the last half century.  Here’s to another fifty years!

This week my office hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday.  Next week we will be at the Russell COA on Tuesday October 22nd from 11:30am to 12:30pm. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

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Weekly Update- October 12th

Hello everyone, 

I hope that everyone’s fall is off to a good start.  As leaves and temperatures begin to drop, I would like to remind everyone that my office is readily available to assist with fuel assistance applications for you or anyone you my know.    

This past Thursday marked World Mental Health Day. In celebration this week I spoke at Holyoke Community College as a part of my “Let’s Talk about Mental Health” listening session tour.  The students and faculty who participated were incredibly engaged and empathetic, and the topics we touched upon ranged over so many of the issues associated with mental health.  Stigma around mental health issues remain ones of the biggest barriers to those suffering, and I hope forums like this help normalize the conversation and encourage folks to feel comfortable enough to reach out for help when they need it. It is incredibly heartening to know that many of the students who participated in the listening session hope to be the next generation of mental health providers. Thank you, HCC and President Timmons, for providing this opportunity! 

Wednesday morning, I joined Representative Finn at the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club to see some of the new programming they have going on. Our local Boys and Girls Club are always working hard to serve our youth, and I appreciated to opportunity to connect and discuss how we can best continue to advocate for them out in Boston.  Later that day, I toured the Placon Plastics manufacturing facility also in West Springfield.  Employing approximately 100 Massachusetts residents, this facility provides important employment opportunities for those in our communities.  Thank you to Placon for inviting us and for sharing with us your work to achieve a more sustainable future. 

Thursday evening, I attended the ribbon cutting for the new office of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce.  This was a wonderful event where I was joined by my fellow elected officials and business leaders from all across the community.  The Chamber does such good work making sure our local businesses have the resources they need and that our region continues to grow. I’m looking forward to seeing how this new space will help serve them in that mission.  

This week my office hosted office hours in Agawam, Chicopee, and West Springfield. Next week, we will be at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday October 15th  from 10:30am to 11:30am and again on Wednesday at the Holyoke COA from 10:00am to 11:00am.   If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Please enjoy the long weekend and wishing a yom tov and a meaningful Yom Kippur to all those observing.  

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

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Weekly Update- October 5th

Happy October Everyone, 

I hope everyone has been enjoying the cool fall weather this past week.  As a reminder, if you or anyone you know is in need of help with a fuel assistance application, my office is always ready to assist. 

I started off my week at the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development listening session with other members of Chicopee’s legislative delegation. It was an important opportunity to hear from members of the business community about the challenges that they face as well as the state resources that have assisted them. Informative discussions like this are helpful as my fellow legislators and I begin to think about new legislation to file next session. 

Tuesday marked the grand opening of the House of Kooladas in Chicopee where my staff presented a citation on behalf of the Senate.  I love seeing new small businesses open in our community and I wish the best of luck to the House of Kooladas as they embark on this journey.   

Later that evening, Representative Pease and I attended a Southampton Selectboard meeting to provide an update on our work in the legislature. I always appreciate the invitation from our local municipal officials to join them at these community meetings not only to update them on my work advocating for their community on Beacon Hill but also to discuss new issues and needs that a community has. Thank you Chair Fowles and Town Administrator Szczebak for the invitation! 

I started off Wednesday morning with the West of the River Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative breakfast where I met with business and community leaders from Agawam and West Springfield to talk about how the legislature can best work to grow our local economy.  Following this, I went over to Holyoke to attend a meeting with other elected officials to hear about Tapestry Health’s plans for the future. Tapestry Health is on the frontlines making a real difference each day with their life saving work sharing harm reduction resources and building relationships with those struggling with addiction in our community. 

Thursday, I had the pleasure of touring the Project New Hope’s facility right here in Westfield alongside with representatives of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. All too often our veterans, who deserve the best our country can offer, fall into food insecurity and Project New Hope does the very important work of fighting against this and providing other valuable services to assist our nation’s heroes.  

Next week my office will be hosting office hours on Monday, October 7th, at the Agawam COA from 11:00am to 12:00pm, on Tuesday, October 8th, from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Chicopee COA, and again at the West Springfield COA on Wednesday, October 9th, from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

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State Representative Simon Cataldo (D-Concord) and State Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) Announce Commission to Combat Antisemitism

We are grateful to the Senate President and House Speaker for appointing us as co-chairs and entrusting us to lead Massachusetts’ first statutory commission on combating antisemitism. The work is urgent and the mission is critical. Over the past several years, our Commonwealth has earned the ignominious reputation as a hub of antisemitic activity. We have heard it through harrowing accounts from Jewish students, parents, educators, and people of all backgrounds who feel it on a visceral level in our communities. And we see it in the 2023 data:

  • Last year, there were 440 antisemitic incidents recorded in Massachusetts, a 189 percent
    increase from 2022.
  • The 189 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts outpaced the 140
    percent increase in such incidents nationwide.
  • Massachusetts recorded the fifth-highest number of incidents per state in the country,
    behind only California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
  • Of these incidents, vandalism increased by 70 percent, harassment increased by 444
    percent, and the number of assaults doubled.
  • 127 cities and towns in Massachusetts saw at least one antisemitic incident last year.

This is not ok. These trends must be — and can be — reversed through concerted action. As cochairs, we will ensure that this commission will work with great dispatch to meet our statutory charge, established by Session Law (Acts of 2024) Ch. 140: namely, to provide specific, evidence-backed guidance on how to implement the White House’s national strategy to counter antisemitism, improve awareness in schools and the workplace, address harassment and hate crimes, bolster security for places of worship, build upon existing best practices, and more.


We will approach this exercise with humility and care, recognizing that antisemitism is a fraught and complicated topic in today’s society. Our work will not, however, be compromised by those who believe the problem of antisemitism is being exaggerated — it is not — or who feel that a singular focus on antisemitism for a commission is inappropriate. Antisemitic fear mongering, conspiracy peddling, and hate have for millennia been a harbinger of wider threats to democracy and peace throughout the world. This commission will work towards stamping it out in Massachusetts. As we do so, we will be mindful of one of the core tenets of Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew phrase that translates to “repair the world,” that there is virtue in engaging in work you know you cannot complete.


We will be joined on the commission by leaders from around the Commonwealth who have
subject matter expertise in our statutory mandate, including appointees of the Senate President, one of whom shall have expertise in combating antisemitism and one of whom shall represent a Jewish community organization in the Commonwealth; appointees of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall have expertise in combating antisemitism and one of whom shall represent a Jewish community organization in the Commonwealth; appointees of the House and Senate Minority Leaders; appointees of the Governor, one of whom shall have expertise in legal issues related to civil rights and civil liberties; appointees of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; the Attorney General or a designee; the chair of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination or a designee; the Commissioner of Higher Education or a
designee; the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or a designee; an appointee of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association; an appointee of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Incorporated; and an appointee of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc.

L’shana tova.

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BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL BINDERY HONORED BY LEGISLATURE AT ANNUAL MANUFACTURING AWARDS CEREMONY  

(10/01/2024- AGAWAM) Following a nomination from Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Bridgeport National Bindery Inc. was honored last Wednesday as a 2024 recipient of the “Making it in Massachusetts” Manufacturing Award presented by the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. This award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership skills in the manufacturing industry. The company was presented with this award at the 9th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, September 25th at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. 

“This past April I had the opportunity to tour Bridgeport National Bindery’s facility in Agawam where I got to see firsthand to see how some of my favorite books are printed and bound.” shared Senator Velis. “I was beyond proud to nominate Bridgeport for this statewide award, in recognition of the contributions they make to our local economy and community. Local businesses in our Commonwealth like Bridgeport are a vital element of our state’s business sector and showcase Massachusetts manufacturing prowess every day on the national and international stage.” 

For over 75 years, Bridgeport National Bindery has been thoughtfully making books with individual attention and care. Bridgeport National Bindery has both embraced and adapted to rapidly changing technology in its manufacturing space while continuing to produce better books, faster. Bridgeport National Bindery offers numerous products, services, and workflows to meet the needs of their clients.  

“On Wednesday Dan Swiecanski and I attended the Manufacturing Awards Ceremony over in Foxborough, and we appreciated the nomination that Senator Velis provided to us,” shared Bruce Jacobsen, Executive Vice President of Bridgeport National Bindery, Inc. “It was good to be able to meet and mix with a variety of other awardees. During the event we were able to connect with a couple of companies that may provide us some assistance down the road. “  

Each year, the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus hosts the Manufacturing Awards Ceremony to highlight many of the Commonwealth’s most noteworthy manufacturers and celebrate their successes as leading manufacturers in the industry. This recognition is reserved for Commonwealth manufacturers that exemplify what it means to “make it in Massachusetts” and propel their industry towards continued growth and innovation. This year, over 50 diverse manufacturers were selected by legislators from across the Commonwealth to be recognized at the awards ceremony. 

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