Haydenville church to host suicide prevention forum

FLORENCE — Suicide prevention is the topic for a community forum Sunday from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Bombyx Center in Florence.

“Talk Saves Lives: A Brief Introduction to Suicide Prevention” is sponsored by the American Society for Suicide Prevention, Haydenville Congregational Church and the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity.

The focus of the program is that suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what is known about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what can be done to fight suicide, according to organizers.

Participants will learn the common risk factors for suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe.

The program is free. Registration is encouraged but not required. Beverages and desserts will be available after the presentation.

The Bombyx Center is at 130 Pine St. in Florence. To register visit the Bombyx Facebook page.

Zonta announces service grant awards

BELCHERTOWN — The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will award $6,000 in service grants to three local organizations at its May dinner meeting. The nonprofits receiving money include:

■Safe Passage, which will get $2,000 for its Anthology Project. The project allows survivors to tell their own unique stories through visual art pieces that enables community members to experience a better understanding of what it means to be a survivor.

■Girls Inc. of the Valley will get $2,000 to fund building supplies needed to support expanded programs to meet the needs of girls and young women.

■CASA of Hampden County will receive $2,000 for its CASA Literacy Project. The grant will be used to purchase materials to enhance learning opportunities for court appointed special advocates and foster work and create training sessions to teach caregivers, grandparents and other concerned partners how to help children develop listening and comprehension skills, as well as how to organize their thoughts to retell their story.

Zonta’s May dinner meeting will take place at Ludlow Country Club on May 13. The program follows a gathering at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Pay $28 at the door for the buffet, but RSVP is required by May 9 to info@zontaqv.org.

For more information, contact Mary Knight, secretary, at 413-219-8260.

Cancer Connection to host screening of ‘American Symphony’

FLORENCE — Cancer Connection will host a free screening of the acclaimed 2023 documentary “American Symphony” at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity on Wednesday, May 1. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring artists who will offer reflections on creativity and their personal healing stories.

American Symphony follows musician Jon Batiste, who, in 2022 finds himself the most celebrated artist of the year with 11 Grammy nominations including Album of the Year. In the midst of that triumph, Batiste embarks on his most ambitious challenge to date, composing an original symphony. This trajectory was upended when Batiste’s life partner, best-selling author Suleika Jaouad learns that her long-dormant cancer has returned.

Panelists will include internationally renowned musician Rochelle Rice (formerly of Sweet Honey in the Rock), local visual artist Malaika Ross, librarian and cartoonist Francesca Passiglia, and writer Pam Roberts, who leads the “Spirit of the Written Word” workshop at Cancer Connection.

There is no charge for admission to the event, but tickets must be reserved in advance. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the screening at 6:30 p.m. and the panel discussion to follow. Bombyx is located at 130 Pine St. in Northampton.

For more information and to reserve tickets: bombyx.live/events/american-symphony/.

Citizens, UNCF to award $50K in scholarships 

Citizens Financial Group and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) have established the first-ever “Citizens Helping Citizens” Scholarship, which will provide $50,000 in scholarship to 10 high school students entering a two- or a four-year accredited college, university, or trade school this fall.

The Citizens Helping Citizens Scholarship was established to make post-secondary education accessible for all students, especially those in low-income and underrepresented communities.

The scholarship application is now open, and all students are encouraged to apply by May 13. For more information, visit uncf.org/.