Amherst Community Connections Celebrates 16th Anniversary with Fall Open House
Some of the guests at Amherst Community Connection's 16th Anniversary Celelbration on October 11, 2025. Photo: Amherst Community Connections
Amherst Community Connections celebrated its sweet 16th anniversary on October 11, with about 100–125 people attending an open house on a gorgeous fall afternoon. The entire office—the five rooms and the hallway—was packed with guests. Several local bakeries donated sandwiches and delicious treats. Friends and neighbors brought homemade cookies and beautiful flowers from their gardens to share.
Two board members led sing-alongs on guitar and melodica, featuring songs like Blowin’ in the Wind, This Land Is Your Land, Amazing Grace, and other well-loved classics. Guests were singing their hearts out in the afternoon sun while teenagers played cornhole and children gathered around a big glass jar, guessing how many candies were inside for a chance to win them just in time for Halloween.
Three arts and crafts sessions took place in the case management rooms: an animal portrait drawing workshop, an afghan crocheting table, and a greeting card design station. Each room was standing-room only.
To top it all off, our 17-year-old rapper, Bryan Caswell, gave an incredible performance—rapping straight from the heart about resilience and determination, reminding us that no matter how hard life gets, it’s up to us to make it work.
About Amherst Community Connections
Amherst Community Connections (ACC), a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, provides information/ referrals, case management, outreach and advocacy services to vulnerable individuals and families in the Pioneer Valley community. We help them secure immediate relief as they plan for and achieve long-term stability. We walk alongside, support and guide people to improve their quality of life by helping them access basic resources: housing, food, income, healthcare.
ACC raises awareness of the personal, social, and economic ravages of homelessness and organizes the community to engage in long-term, coordinated solutions that emphasize homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing, affordable housing and appropriate supportive services.