Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, alongside City Councilor Maria Perez, State Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., and Springfield Police Department Deputy Chief Steve Kent, joined Paul Mina, President and CEO of United Way Of Pioneer Valley, partners, and supporters at the United Way’s Community Service Center located at 1441 Main Street. The gathering was to officially declare Friday, February 11, 2022, as ‘211 Day’ within the City of Springfield. Jennifer Metsch, Director of Constituent Services for State Senator Eric Lesser, and Ryan McCollum, Owner and Principal of RMC Strategies, also attended the event.
The ceremony featured a special virtual address from Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, who conveyed greetings and expressed gratitude to the Massachusetts United Way for their steadfast support of the state’s 211 system. Lt. Governor Polito presented a proclamation declaring February 11, 2022, as Massachusetts 211 Day throughout the Commonwealth. Mayor Sarno followed suit by presenting a proclamation recognizing Friday, February 11, 2022, as 211 Day in the City of Springfield, reinforcing the city’s commitment to this vital resource.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to our state leaders, including Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, for their dedication to ensuring our residents have readily available access to this crucial mental health resource,” stated Mayor Sarno. He emphasized the significance of mental health support, “Especially during these challenging and unprecedented times of COVID-19, the need for mental health support is more critical than ever. A special thank you to Paul Mina and his dedicated team at United Way of Pioneer Valley for consistently stepping up and providing invaluable support to our community. United Way of Pioneer Valley celebrated a century of service last year, and their unwavering commitment and dedication to our community remains as strong as ever.”
Across Massachusetts and the nation, United Ways annually observe 2-1-1 Day on February 11th to promote awareness of this essential public service. Mass2-1-1 operates as a comprehensive telephone and online information and referral service for all Commonwealth residents, providing assistance 24/7, 365 days a year. Call2Talk, a vital component of Mass2-1-1, serves as its dedicated mental health helpline.
The Mass211 Call2Talk Springfield satellite office is strategically located within the United Way of Pioneer Valley premises at 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103. This co-location enhances accessibility and strengthens the partnership between these crucial community services.
