Happy February everyone,
We’re officially past the ten darkest weeks of the year. It’s not much to notice yet but I’ve been enjoying the sunlight that we’ve been getting after the workday.
Speaking of the work week, we’ve had a busy one here in the Hampden and Hampshire District. Monday morning, I met with fellow Committee members from the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery at the Afiya Peer Respite Center in Northampton. This facility provides an essential service to families and loved ones who serve as caregivers in their home. The mental health of our caregivers all too often goes overlooked as an essential part of the care process and this organization does great work in providing care for those who provide care. I am grateful to the Committee for traveling out to Western Massachusetts to see this great organization at work.
Wednesday afternoon, I met with the Secretary of Veterans’ Services, Jon Santiago, to discuss the HERO act. This landmark piece of legislation, which recently had its first hearing before the Joint Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, would go a long way to expanding services for our well deserving veterans here in the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing the work on this bill and reviewing all other legislation concerning my fellow veteran as Senate Chair on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs ahead of the Joint Rule 10 deadline next week.
Yesterday morning, I also met with officials and experts from across the region as a part of the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness. This working group brings together community organizations from throughout Western Massachusetts to collaborate on ways to keep people housed and to connect those who are housing insecure to stable housing. Friday morning’s meeting consisted of an informative conversation alongside my colleagues from the delegation on how we can support the Network’s goals and priorities.
Last night, I was also lucky to join many from the Town of Agawam to celebrate the inauguration of their new mayor, Chris Johnson. I’m sure Mayor Johnson is going to do an excellent job and I look forward to working alongside him to best benefit Agawam.
With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, Irish cultural festivities have begun here in Western Massachusetts. Just last night I attended the Westfield Sons of Erin’s Colleen Ball and tonight I’m looking forward to attending the Agawam St Pattrick’s Day Committee’s Colleen Ball. Congratulations to both Colleens and their Courts. I look forward to seeing you all at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Holyoke!
This week, my team hosted office hours at the Southampton COA on Wednesday morning. Next week, we will be at the Agawam office hours on Monday at 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.
Have a great weekend,
John Velis