Western Mass. State Legislators Deliver Funds for 413Cares

SPRINGFIELD — Several Western Mass. legislators recently delivered $200,000 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) to support 413Cares.

Launched in 2019 by PHIWM, 413Cares is a digital resource tailored to help Western Mass. residents find low- and no-cost resources. It is also a tool that local service providers use to make referrals to services for their clients. The partner organizations behind 413Cares continually help to update the information, given that available resources and the community’s needs predictably evolve over time.

Thousands of people utilize 413Cares every year, with more than 133,000 searches and more than 153,000 interactions with programs.

State Rep. Michael Finn, state Sen. Adam Gomez, and other state legislators from Western Mass. helped secure the state funding for 413Cares in the FY 2025 budget within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

“I was proud to work with the Public Health Institute to file this budget amendment to support 413Cares, a vital resource connecting thousands of residents to critical services like housing, food, and healthcare,” Finn said. “This funding will ensure that this free, user-friendly database continues to provide up-to-date, accessible information to residents across our communities. With demand for these services on the rise, 413Cares has proven to be an essential tool in connecting our neighbors with the resources they need to thrive. It’s about meeting people where they are and ensuring they have the support they deserve.”

Added Gomez, “I am grateful to be here celebrating the work that the Public Health Institute is doing to connect people in Western Massachusetts with the resources that they need to stay healthy, safe, and looking toward the future. Providing funding for organizations like this is a smart investment for our state as these groups on the ground are aware of the issues their constituency faces and are able to meet them where they are to satisfy their needs. I am proud to support this initiative in the budget each year, and I look forward to hearing more positive stories on the impact that 413Cares has on the lives of people in my district.”

This year, the funds are shared by PHIWM, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Community Action Pioneer Valley, Quaboag Hills Community Coalition, and United Way of Pioneer Valley. Baystate Health provided startup funding to launch 413Cares and has continued to support it.