UMACC 2022-23 Giving Stories
Luis’s Story: Supporting Community, Culture & UMass Students
Luis Marentes, Associate Professor of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the Spanish and Portuguese Program and CESL Fellow
I give to several organizations including Nuestras Raices and Nueva Esperanza which are based in Holyoke. So many people see the City of Holyoke as a city with problems and deficits, but I see Holyoke as a place rich with inspirational people and organizations that I respect and admire. I don’t see my donations as “charitable,” but as one more way to collaborate. My contributions go to resourceful, competent people who understand the community and culture, who are supporting important work at UMass and providing unique opportunities for UMass students. No one from outside the community could be able to accomplish the work that is being done at Nuestras and Nueva. They are truly of grass roots.
In my work as a CESL Fellow, I have seen UMass students’ lives and career trajectories transformed by the work they have done translating in a public health capacity. With the help and guidance of Nuestras, our students have navigated complex systems, done studies, and successfully improved the quality of food in Holyoke Schools. In this chaotic time in the history of virtual relations, our UMass students have connected, immersed themselves in community, and their lives have been enriched and transformed.
Jackie’s Story: Ensuring People Don’t Go Hungry
Jackie Brousseau-Pereira MPA ’00, PhD ’18, Campaign Co-Chair and Assistant Dean and Director of First-Year Seminars, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have a roof over my head, clean clothes on my back, and enough food to eat. During my teen years, after my parents split up, my single mom struggled to support us financially. Throughout college, I worked two jobs to pay my rent and expenses and the part of my tuition that was not covered by the Pell Grant or other financial aid. Throughout my twenties lived paycheck to paycheck, mostly working jobs without health insurance or paid time off.
Over the past several years, I have given both money, items, and time to the Easthampton Community Center (ECC). This organization is at the heart of Easthampton, the little city that I call home. ECC Director Robin Bialecki works tirelessly – particularly since the beginning of the pandemic – to make sure residents of Easthampton and surrounding communities don’t go hungry. ECC distributes thousands of pounds of food to folks in the community each month and even has a gluten free pantry. I’ve donated gently used clothing to their clothing closet and volunteered at food distribution. I’m grateful this organization exists to help people in need.
Sid’s Story: Fighting For Access To Basics We All Deserve
Sid Ferreira ‘87, Med ‘08 Campaign co-chair and Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life
Growing up in West Africa in Guinea-Bissau during a colonial war I saw first-hand how oppression affects certain segments of the population. In this case, it was darker skinned people who were under the colonial system.
My father was a dark skinned African man who was the budget director for the country. Even though he was the smartest man in the room, my father was always required to have a European supervisor. My dad would actually have to teach his “supervisor” how to do the job.
For me, getting involved in UMACC is all about defeating oppression and the types of injustice and indignities that my dad and others experienced. By donating I can help make sure that everyone in our community has access to the basics that we all deserve, such as education, housing, food, water, healthcare, a job, etc.
I donate to A Better Chance (ABC) program through UMACC. ABC is a national residential high school program which prepares academically talented and highly motivated African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American students from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles in the broader community. Donations to ABC fund the program in Amherst where ABC scholars live and benefit from support while they attend Amherst High School.
Liz’s Story: Why I Donate Through UMACC
Liz Tousignant, Moves and Furniture Project Manager, Campus Planning, Facilities and Campus Services
I like giving through UMACC because it is so easy. Once a year I just send the UMACC office an email with the donations that I want, or I click a few buttons and it’s done. I don’t have to write a check or answer solicitations, and I know I have supported the nonprofits I love and that I am all set for the year.
Another benefit to donating to my favorite charities through UMACC is that it lets the community around us know that UMass is there for them and that our employees matter. Some people don’t know that UMACC benefits off campus nonprofits. In fact, 100% of the funds donated through UMACC go to off-campus nonprofits.
I have been on the nonprofit side of a fundraising campaign and I know how much energy it takes for a charity to send out those appeals. By giving through a workplace campaign it lessens the work the charities have to do. They don’t need to spend the money to get donations and to remind people to renew. For this reason alone, workplace giving campaigns are great. The charities don’t have to make that phone call or seal that envelope to get money from me!
Plus, since it is so easy to renew, they are going to get that money again next year and for many years after that.
There are so many benefits to donating through UMACC.
Our Co-chairs: Why Giving Matters
UMACC Co-Chairs Jackie Brousseau-Pereira and Sid Ferreira share their thoughts about being a part of a Community
Crystal’s Story: Who Knows What You Might Discover…
Crystal Maldonado, Director of Marketing and Communications, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, Pictured with daughter Maya Cunningham
The impact reading had on my life was profound, and it’s because of this I passionately support The Friends of the Springfield Library, which makes diverse, meaningful books available to those who need them most. Through this charity, the libraries in Springfield, Massachusetts can provide everything from literature and media to special programming to updated technology and resources.
Now that I have a three-year-old toddler, I’m especially appreciative of our local library, which has become a second home for me and my daughter. It’s there that my toddler will cook in the “pretendin" kitchen in the children’s section, and it’s where we discover picture books that remind us we are strong and powerful.
Libraries remain one of the few places in our communities that asks nothing of us; we don’t have to spend a cent to enjoy its offerings. During a time when libraries are fighting national book bans and dealing with underfunding, I feel like these spaces need more support than ever.
For me, donating to The Friends of the Springfield Library is a meaningful way to give back to a city I love and celebrate the joy of books. After all, who knows what you might discover on your next trip to the library?