Connecting the Greater Springfield Mass Communities

Communications, connections, community

Helping the Greater Springfield Mass Community connect and communicate.

Digital connectivity and literacy are essential to success and survival in the world of today, full stop. Many jobs have migrated to fully online or hybrid models, leaving those without reliable internet access or sufficiently modern hardware without even the most basic opportunity to compete for available positions. Those without access to online news and communities of interest are left isolated, and despite the myriad benefits of modern existence the fragmentary, ad-hoc nature of social media information distribution leaves far too many feeling disconnected and isolated from their immediate physical communities. Even essential government services have migrated online, leaving those lacking connectivity without access to the same fundamental safety net others take for granted, something truly tragic in a state as wholly invested in the fundamental well-being of its citizens as is Massachusetts.

Founded in 2024 by Stephen Howard, Erica Rachel Andrews, and Arianna Gray, springfield.community is dedicated to helping the communities we live in by improving digital equity, communications, and connections both digital and face-to-face.

Our technology donation, refurbishment, and distribution program seeks to unite those in need of the hardware essential for full participation in the modern world with the tools they need to thrive. We make this possible by tapping into the currently underutilized stream of electronic waste generated every day by our society and redirecting it from landfills and more energy-inefficient recycling efforts, then doing the work to redirect the result into a place where it can make the most difference, both in the hands of those it benefits and in our climate on the planet we share.

Our Greater Springfield Event Calendar strives to put us all in touch with our neighbors amidst the backdrop of the vibrant community we create together. Inspired in part by the brilliant attempt of 19hz.info to create a single unified calendar for electronic music events, our community of volunteers strives to make finding something fun, relaxing, empowering, educational, enlightening, edifying, energizing, inspiring, or chill as easy for the residents of Hampden County as finding a good concert has subsequently become for the residents of other population centers like Boston and San Francisco.

Potential future projects relate to education in digital literacy addressing topics from the basics all the way up through the same skills we utilize to run our programs, free digital connectivity initiatives serving marginalized individuals in and around Greater Springfield, and more. Check back for updates, we always have something new in the works!