Hwei-Ling Greeney

Founder and Executive Director of Amherst Community Connections

Hwei-Ling started her long-term commitment to serving community members at local soup kitchen Not Bread Alone where she worked for over twelve years. Her commitment to serving people there, (driven by her love for cooking and her passion for sharing the delicious meals she prepares to the people who need it most), ended up being a pivotal moment in her life. She recalled fondly how one particular patron whom she served for over ten years, was “very bright” and would always stay after they were done serving the meal to help her clean up. She elaborated how he inspired her to look for more ways to fulfill the variety of unmet needs of the community that she was serving, “I was serving people delicious hot meals, but I thought to myself, ‘That’s just not enough!’... I wanted to do more.” And do more she did when she founded Amherst Community Connections in September of 2009 where she has been helping to connect the local homeless and at-risk-of-homelessness populations to the organizations and resources that they need. This includes helping them access much needed emergency housing, funding, and resources as well as working with them to find permanent solutions to their homelessness and the many other challenges they face.

When she is not too busy lending her compassion, knowledge, and expertise to those in need, however, you might be able to catch her taking long walks around the area listening to her favorite podcasts such as This American Life, On the Media, and TED Talk. Although keeping up with her will probably come as a challenge to many since Mrs. Greeney can boast an impressive average of 8-10 miles of walking every day, (or about 20-28,000 steps daily), according to her Fitbit, which lends itself to her family’s competition to see who can be the most active. Although competition is only a small element in her active lifestyle. She confided in me with a warm smile that her motivation is better found in what she does while out walking, “Sometimes when I get listening to a podcast and it’s really good I just keep walking, and walking, and walking… I just don’t stop!” As far as anyone here at ACC can tell that seems to hold true for everything that she does, including her work!

Susan Ciftci

Role in ACC: Case Manager

Anurima Chattopadhyay

Role in ACC: Case Manager

Anurima began working at Amherst Community Connections (ACC) in June of 2021 as a Grant Writing & Strategy Intern. Since then, she has assumed a variety of roles within the organization including Manager of the Housing Innovation Project, Caseworker, Case Manager, and more. She believes strongly in ACC’s mission: to advocate for both families and individuals struggling with homelessness in Hampshire County. From providing support in acquiring affordable housing, food stamps, and other benefits to meeting more specific needs—including those related to mental health and well being—Anurima is grateful to be part of an organization and movement that seeks to implement change and address these goals in a formative way. She appreciates ACC’s holistic approach to caring for those in vulnerable positions and is proud to be part of a community committed to uplifting and empowering those we serve.

Currently a philosophy student at Amherst College, Anurima hopes to pursue a career in medicine. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks on the Norwottuck Rail Trail, immersing herself in the study of new languages, and trying local restaurants!

Naviah Barrow

Role in ACC: Case Manager

My name is Naviah Barrow. I am a senior Legal Studies major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, minoring in Psychology and Sociology. My grandmother raised me in Hartford, Connecticut. She always tried to be the barrier between my childhood innocence and the grim reality of living in a derelict city. As I got older, I began to take notice of the poor quality of life that city dwellers struggled with. Many people I knew had one or more conditions: an incarcerated parent, were undereducated, lived paycheck to paycheck, struggled with substance abuse, were forced to be on welfare, or experienced homelessness. A common fallacy is that the disadvantaged purposefully put themselves in these positions. Though I never believed that, it became clear how incorrect that statement was once my grandmother got laid off in the recession. She did nothing wrong, but her life trajectory changed overnight. Adding disability to her list of struggles, I grew to be an independent child that she could rely on. I helped her apply for assistance programs, taught her technological skills, and read over every form to maximize her benefits. That is when I understood the importance of using my voice and knowledge to advocate for those who do not have the same privileges or capacity as I do. Academically, I have taken law and sociology courses that discuss why and how society oppresses marginalized groups. Then, we look for ways to minimize such disparities. With this, I learned fixing a broken system requires changes within different levels of society, not just the government. In the future, I would love to see my academic skills flourish into a career in family law. ACC's mission is inch-perfect with making a difference locally but also my personal goal of connecting with others to make thoughtful differences in their lives. I am hopeful that this internship experience will provide me with basic tools to implement into my first year out of college!

In my free time, I love meeting new people and traveling to new places. I enjoy creating meaningful relationships, hearing about life experiences different from mine, and getting to try food from different cultures. When I’m at home, I spend a lot of time watching detective and crime shows or studying for my LSAT!

Claudine Gale

Role in ACC: Caseworker

The reason I want to work with vulnerable populations, besides just feeling bad about their situations in general, is because I come from a very privileged background. Not only am I white, but my father was in the military for 20 years, which made our family very wealthy, especially in that the government is currently paying my tuition at a time when affirmative action has been struck down and it's harder than ever for the less wealthy to get a degree. Therefore, I feel an obligation to use my privilege to give back to society, and helping people through social work seems like the best way I can. For a long time I was ignorant of the daily struggles and indignities suffered by people less fortunate than me; it wasn't until high school and the election of a certain president that I slowly came to realize just how biased our society is in so many ways, and how I had been given a free pass from almost all of them simply because of how I was born. Even then, I originally came to college wanting to do computer science, until sophomore year when I finally understood that social work was truly the best way for me to make the world a better place for everyone.

I have lived in Portland, OR since 2014 when my parents moved us here after my dad retired from the Coast Guard. As a result, I was exposed to all kinds of progressive ideas from the people around me, especially during the Trump Administration. At that time, I was consistently involved in protests against all the vile actions the president was taking against minorities and the poor, but I still didn't see myself as making an actual career out of this kind of activity. As far as social work specifically goes, my epiphany that set me on that track came during the summer of 2022. At that time I was working as a Target Security Specialist at the second-most stolen from Target in the country, because I had been planning on going into criminology. However, at the end of the 3 months I worked there, I realized that 90% of the people stealing things were doing so because they were homeless, hungry, and desparate. My job was really nothing more than further degrading them in front of a whole store of people with more money than them. My fellow security workers consistently used derogatory language when referring to these people, which I hated, and by the end I was committed to the idea that security was absolutely not the field I should be in if I really want to make a difference in people's lives. Instead, helping people at the root of their problems will prevent them from turning to crime in the first place, making the community safer and better for everyone.

Mostly I hang out with my friends in my spare time! We love going to plays at the school, seeing a movie at Hampshire Mall, or just chilling on the grass or at the dining hall. I'm also secretary of the Science Fiction Society of UMA, I do stand up at The Drake during their monthly open mic nights, and I love to read both classic authors like Jane Austen and newer ones like Terry Pratchett! My friends will tell you I'm also a huge history fan, especially movie history. My favorite actresses are Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, and Katherine Hepburn!

Kendall Fiore

Role in ACC: Caseworker

I wanted to work with the people Amherst Community Connections serves as I want to become involved and work hands on with the Amherst community. I am motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those facing significant challenges. I want to help marginalized communities and help to address the systemic issues, advocate for social justice, and contribute to positive change in their lives. My freshman year I attended San Diego State in California. During my time there I did a research project on the homelessness in California, which opened my eyes to the impacts of the broken systems and world we live in. The systems in place are extremely broken and I want to help those in need navigate them, hopefully leading to change. I am an aspiring lawyer and I am excited to begin helping out the people the Amherst Community Connections work with, as I’ve always had a passion for advocating for those in need. I want to be the fighting voice for those who are unable to. My parents are both lawyers, and growing up I saw them help those who are less fortunate and bring justice to their cases. The testimonies I have heard have inspired me to follow in their footsteps and become a person who realizes injustice and wants to work to fight against the systems. I am detail-oriented, organized, and have strong communication skills which will be useful in navigating the systems the Amherst Community Connections uses. Also, I am empathetic, patient, and resilient. In the face of challenging situations, I understand that progress may take time, but I will not stop fighting and working until justice is served for the Amherst communities' people. Through my previous jobs I have learned skills such as problem solving, interpersonal skills, and a teamwork mindset. Challenges may arise, but I will work to overcome them and assure those in need that I am doing everything I can to help them. I also can work independently, which will allow for personal connections to be made between myself and those that the Amherst Community Connections work with. With these skills, I believe I will be able to serve the community members effectively. 

Outside of work and during my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, going on hikes, running, and skiing. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am also a food fanatic and love trying new foods.

Khushi Banga

Role in ACC: Caseworker

My primary motivation for working with the populations that ACC serves is deeply rooted in my commitment to helping out the community. I firmly believe that contributing to the betterment of our communities is a responsibility that everyone should embrace. Giving back is something that is important to me and my goal for the future is to serve the community and help people through my work. 

Growing up as a daughter of immigrants, I faced many challenges. It was difficult to navigate the world because I lived in two distinct cultures which left me conflicted and uncertain of my identity. Moreover, there was a noticeable absence of individuals who shared my background, further accentuating the sense of isolation. Witnessing my parents' unwavering dedication to providing for our family, working tirelessly to make ends meet, and prioritizing our education for a brighter future, instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude and determination. Their resilience and sacrifice serve as a constant source of inspiration, motivating me to extend a helping hand to those facing financial or other hardships.

My personal values closely align with ACC's mission and agenda, which emphasize the fundamental principles of compassion, respect, kindness, and open-mindedness. I have always derived immense satisfaction from assisting others, and I am deeply committed to advocating for the underprivileged and marginalized members of society. I firmly believe that individuals lacking access to basic resources and opportunities should be at the forefront of our collective priorities.

I envision my journey in community service as a progression from small, meaningful changes to more substantial and far-reaching impacts. By initiating change at the grassroots level, I aim to lay the foundation for broader transformations within the community and, ultimately, on a larger scale.

My unwavering dedication to community service, shaped by my immigrant background and guided by values that mirror ACC's mission, fuels my desire to effect positive change. Through small, purposeful actions, I am driven to make a lasting impact on the community and, ultimately, contribute to a more equitable and compassionate society.

In my leisure time, I find joy in various activities. Spending quality time with friends is important to me and I always enjoy the presence and company of those who are close to me. Additionally, I have always enjoyed going to art museums and creating art myself, specifically by sketching and painting. My passion for K-pop dancing not only keeps me physically active but also allows me to express myself creatively. My love for travel, cultural exploration, and culinary adventures further enriches my understanding of the world and my ability to connect with diverse individuals and communities.

Penny Reynolds

Role in ACC: Caseworker

My name is Penny Reynolds, and I am a freshman at UMass Amherst pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with the eventual goal of becoming a physician. 

Outside of my arrival at UMass I have spent most of my life in New Mexico, where I have been accustomed to a surrounding of diverse socioeconomic conditions, and had been raised predominately by a single mother. While my mother continues to serve as my driving force of inspiration, stemming mainly from her diligent and persevering disposition, we had often struggled to make ends meet. In confronting this, I had begun working at a young age to ensure that we were fiscally supported, and through this experience I have gained a meager understanding of the conditions that most impact low income communities. My goal as I continue to move into the professional sphere is to further this insight to better care for my future patients. I find the ability to comprehend circumstances ranging beyond the anatomical basis as an essentiality to create more compassionate approaches through clinical practice. I also often enjoy engaging myself in activities focused in the realm of human service, as ensuring the allocation of supportive means in addition to the expansion of accommodating resources is among the strongest passions of mine. I believe through my past experiences, alongside the comprehension I continue to gain through my voluntary work, that I will continue to strive in bringing passion into the face of adversity. 

Aside from this work, I often enjoy doing anything outdoors! Being from New Mexico, I love to go on hikes through mountainous terrains and take photos along the way. While I have cherished my time at UMass and on the East Coast so far, I find myself often missing the mountainous scenery and local wildlife of the desert terrain. I am also an avid tennis player, and though I sometimes lack talent for the sport, I always have fun while playing a match even if I never hit a single ball! My first time playing the sport had occurred during my freshman year of High School, when I had chosen to do the spontaneous and attend try-outs without ever holding a racket before. Someday, I hope to gain enough dexterity to provide free lessons to people of all ages and provide the joy I found through this sport to others, possibly starting a league of my own. 

Josh Berins

Role in ACC: Community Volunteer

I moved to Amherst when I was eleven and grew up here. I moved away for several years at a time on different occasions, but I kept coming back to the area because my family lives here and it is a great place to live.

I have known Hwei-Ling for many years as we live in the same neighborhood. After Hwei-Ling got me a job cooking breakfast at Craig's Place, I was looking for other volunteer work, so I joined ACC. I wanted to work for ACC because I could have very easily have ended up in a situation where I could have been homeless if I did not have the support of loving parents who allowed me to live with them.

I have many skills that I put to work at ACC such as bookkeeping, computer and printer help since I at one time I was a computer technician. I also help clients with case work, and I am on The Board of Directors at ACC.

In my free time I like to walk on the bike path or hike up a mountain. I also make Silver and Glass jewelry which I sell just outside of the Amherst Farmer’s Market and at Craft Fairs and Online. You can see my jewelry at www.jdbcreationsbyjoshua.com where I have my online store. I work in three mediums: Precious Metal Clay, dichroic glass, and wire wrapping of Stones.