My Work

Current Work:  Systems Change

Springfield Wellness Leadership Council (SWLC)

The Springfield Wellness Leadership Council (SWLC) is being reimagined as an interdisciplinary, cross-departmental coalition and coordinating body led by the City of Springfield. City department heads and program staff live and work in Springfield. We do not commute in for a paycheck and drive home to a neighboring city at the end of the day. We live, work, play, and send our children to school here. Many of us were born here, whether we stayed or left and found our way back home later in life.

This reimagined council builds our shared capacity and defines our shared work in a way that positions the City of Springfield to lead on the issues that directly shape the health of our city and our residents. The structure of municipal government touches every social determinant of health (food access, housing, safe streets, parks, transportation) and every quality-of-life issue a resident might face (noise, litter, road safety, ADA access). The SWLC frames the success and health of our city as a shared responsibility, using a whole-of-government approach.

My vision for this work is informed by more than a decade in Springfield's municipal government. Over those years I came to articulate a set of recurring challenges:

• Fragmented efforts and siloed funding: departments apply for grants or take on projects without knowing what other departments are doing, and without leveraging in-house expertise.

• Grants end, and projects end or stall: sustainability is hard when funding runs out or priorities shift, so work often gets shelved or recycled.

• Repetitive outreach: surveys and engagement keep asking residents and community-based organizations (CBOs) similar questions, which breeds survey fatigue.

• Popcorn-style engagement: community engagement happens only when there is capacity (funding, people) or when it is required, rather than as a sustained practice.

• Over-reliance on external consultants: outside consultants fill gaps in capacity and coordination, but at a significant cost that eats up a large portion of grant budgets.

• Funding-driven rather than priority-driven: when funding sets the agenda, we have less control over the direction of the conversation.

• No institutional memory: without it, projects and coalitions keep feeling like they are starting over.

A revitalized SWLC will begin to build municipal infrastructure that gets the city moving in the right direction. It lets the city leverage resources more efficiently, reduces our dependence on outside consultants, builds institutional memory over time, makes us more competitive for funding, and moves us away from performative or one-time engagement. Concretely, a standing council lets us:

• Leverage existing programs and capacity ("I have this program, you have this need").

• Lead the conversation and be proactive, shaping city priorities over time as a leader and an equal partner rather than waiting to be invited in.

• Advise city leadership through memos and report-outs to the Mayor, Commissioner, and department heads, increasing connectivity across government.

• Apply for funding as a coalition, pooling eligibility, knowledge, and capacity for larger opportunities.

• Call in community partners and CBOs when the time is right, through presentations, speakers, and structured conversations on relevant issues.

• Serve as a centralized community engagement hub, giving departments and grants more support when they need resident feedback.

• Tell our own story, highlighting successes and sharing what is happening across the city, with members able to submit items.

• Respond in real time, with a standing place to hold conversations and act on issues in a knowledgeable, structured way.

• Create a stronger linkage point between city departments, residents, funders, and CBOs, streamlining processes and reducing duplication.

I am leading the charge to revitalize the SWLC. I brought the idea to my Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner through a formal presentation, secured their approval, and then met one on one with department heads and program staff across the city to pitch the vision and build buy-in. I developed the communications materials to carry that vision upward and outward (one-pagers, slides, and talking points shared with the Mayor's office) and recruited a design team to serve as the internal planning committee, with representation from Health and Human Services, Parks, and Elder Affairs. Together we planned a half-day retreat that invites colleagues citywide to step out of their offices and bring the vision to life. The invitation went out on the Commissioner's letterhead, and two technical assistance providers from the statewide Mass in Motion network are supporting with co-facilitation and note taking the day of so I can participate as a colleague. The Mayor and Commissioner are confirmed and giving remarks. The retreat is scheduled for the end of June 2026.

Current Work:  Environment Change

The Root Mason Square

The Root Mason Square is a free, intergenerational third space being built in the heart of Mason Square at 106 Wilbraham Road. A third space is the place that exists outside of home and outside of work or school: somewhere people can drop in to relax, connect, and build relationships with no expectation to spend money or accomplish anything. The Root is being built to be exactly that, a neighborhood living room open to teens after school, seniors with stories to share, parents, and anyone curious about what is happening. It is housed at MLK Family Services, which leads the project and serves as its fiscal agent. It is currently under construction and it is set to open in summer 2026.

Mass in Motion supports The Root as a place-based, neighborhood level environmental change project, and I am proud to champion its impact. A new, free, walkable gathering point in a majority Black and Latinx neighborhood that has weathered decades of disinvestment changes both the built environment and the social environment. It builds social capital and lays the groundwork for outcomes Mass in Motion has worked toward for years: community economic development, support for skill building, first time employment, intergenerational connection, social cohesion, civic engagement, and broader resident health advocacy. That is why I positioned The Root as a Community Economic Development strategy within the Mass in Motion workplan.

In my role as a core partner, I have worked to put the resources of city government and the statewide Mass in Motion network behind something residents are building for themselves. I have been involved from the beginning. I helped plan The Root's community design dinner, where I also facilitated a breakout group, and I have served on both the leadership team and the resident steering committee since they formed. I sat on the interview panel that hired A'kala Chaires, The Root's founding lead and first hire. As the project moved from consultant led planning toward a community run space, I stepped in as a core partner to directly support MLK family services. I am serving as a thought partner and a steady point of continuity so the transition does not stall and the founding lead onboarding is smoother. Because the founding lead is a resident stepping into this role, my work is grounded in onboarding, empowering, and capacity-building alongside her. I am also bringing Mass in Motion and broader SDHHS programming into the space as it opens for space activation at no cost to The Root.

Food Access & Food Systems

Springfield FRESH

I led the Springfield Food Retail Environment Survey for Health (FRESH) initiative, conducting an in-depth assessment of healthy food access across 71 stores in four zip codes. Working with interns and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, this project quantified the ways in which corner stores and small food retailers are (or are not) serving as viable sources of healthy food in low-income neighborhoods.

The project generated a comprehensive report with policy recommendations, an interactive mapping tool, and sparked meaningful conversations about what 'food access' really means in communities facing food insecurity. FRESH remains a resource for advocates, planners, and partners working to improve food environments in Springfield.

Healthy Retail
Beyond Springfield FRESH, I've championed healthy retail work by:

• Conducting site visits at food retailers and small/medium/large grocers across the city. 

• Supporting store owners and managers in stocking healthier products, and connecting them with programs that can help with refrigeration, lighting, and small business technical assistance. 

A comprehensive approach to healthy retail considers physical space and curb appeal, community perception, workforce development, SNAP and WIC compliance, public safety, accessibility, and product mix. This systems-level thinking helps move beyond individual behavior change toward creating environments where healthy choices are easier for everyone.

Hunger Relief Policy Advocacy
I've consistently advocated at the local level for hunger relief policies and programs including SNAP, WIC, and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). These programs directly increase the buying power of low-income residents. Hunger relief work includes supporting local food pantries in adopting client choice models that respect dignity and cultural preferences, and working to strengthen our emergency food system.

Springfield has the highest SNAP participation rate in Massachusetts, making this advocacy critical to the wellbeing of nearly half the city's population.

Learning from the Grandparents
In partnership with The Springfield Food Policy Council and New North Citizens Council, I co-facilitated intergenerational storytelling events at two senior centers in different neighborhoods of Springfield. At the Raymond Jordan Senior Center and North End Senior Center, elders shared memories of cooking, gardening, farming, and food traditions with visual scribes from Dpict capturing their stories in real time. 

The North End event was conducted entirely in Spanish, honoring the cultural and linguistic heritage of our Latino seniors. A hot Puerto Rican lunch from El Sazón Criollo set the tone for dignity, celebration, and connection. These events strengthen community bonds and center the wisdom of those who have lived these food histories.

Built Environment &  Active Living

Walk Audits

I planned and led walk audits across Springfield to assess pedestrian safety, walkability, and neighborhood infrastructure quality. In partnership with Walk Boston and Walkbike Springfield, we engaged residents to record observations and recommendations using '8 to 80' design principles.

On Worthington Street, we examined crosswalk visibility and traffic concerns. At Amore Road and Blunt Park, a community-driven audit emerged from residents in the Bay Area Neighborhood Council who raised safety concerns about a pass-through area. Findings from the Blunt Park audit informed a CDBG funding application, developed in partnership with the Parks Department, to improve the space.

Complete Streets & Infrastructure Advocacy
As an active member of Springfield's built environment committee, I advocated for equitable distribution of Complete Streets funding and pushed for urban planning that prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. This work focuses on ensuring that investments in sidewalks, crosswalks, streetlights, curb cuts, and bike lanes reach neighborhoods that have historically been underserved to create safer, more accessible streets for all residents.

Safe Parks & Open Gyms
For several years, I secured mini-grants from Health New England and helped select sites to sustain Safe Parks and Open Gyms programming. 

• Safe Parks engaged youth in summer activities at parks throughout Springfield including park cleanups, park audits, design charrettes, and end-of-summer presentations in partnership with the Parks Department, YMCA, and MOCHA. 

• Open Gyms keeps school gymnasiums open for recreational activities during winter months (December through April) when outdoor options are limited. The program proved so successful that the city committed $10,000 from the general fund to continue it; transitioning the program from grant dependent to institutionally supported.

Community Engagement

Resident Health Advocates

I've facilitated two cohorts of the Resident Health Advocate (RHA) program, an initiative that empowers Springfield residents to provide meaningful input on local health priorities. Through monthly meetings, capacity-building workshops, and hands-on projects, RHAs develop skills in advocacy, data literacy, and civic engagement. The program has partnered with technical assistance providers like MAPC for Data 102 training and HRIA for specialized sessions. RHAs have contributed to walk audits, grant applications, and ongoing conversations about what healthy neighborhoods should look like.

Neighborhood Council and Public Engagement
I regularly attend Bay Area Neighborhood Council meetings, C3 community policing meetings in the North End and Forest Park neighborhoods, and New North Citizens Council events such as coffee talks, national night out, and network nights. These connections have led to resident-driven projects like the Blunt Park walk audit and helped expand Mass in Motion's visibility and reach.

Education and public speaking

University Guest Lecturing

I've been invited to guest lecture at universities and colleges throughout the region on a range of topics including:

• Public health 101: foundational public health concepts

•  Food systems and food access work

•  Social determinants of health 

• Policy systems and environmental (PSE) change 

• Built environment and infrastructure advocacy

• LGBTQ+ health, advocacy, and prevention work 

These talks use frameworks like the socio-ecological model, 8 to 80 design thinking, root cause analysis, and the groundwater effect to help students understand how structural and systemic factors shape health outcomes. Interactive exercises, like the Tree Exercise for exploring social determinants, help make abstract concepts concrete and actionable.

Youth Engagement at Springfield Honors Academy (SHA)
In 2025, I launched a pilot youth engagement program at Springfield Honors Academy, introducing sophomore students (age 15) to public health concepts over a six-week curriculum. I developed the full curriculum in collaboration with SDHHS and SHA leadership, adapting Resident Health Advocate materials to be more engaging for a younger audience. Technical assistance providers including HRIA led specialized sessions. This pilot opens possibilities for ongoing intergenerational collaboration between youth and adult community health advocates.

Intern & Student Supervision
Over many years, I've supervised and mentored interns at both the graduate and undergraduate level, providing hands-on learning experiences in community health practice. This includes guiding students through projects like the Springfield FRESH assessment, supporting their professional development, and helping them connect academic learning to real-world public health challenges.

Crisis response

COVID-19 Emergency Food Distribution

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I coordinated emergency food delivery in collaboration with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). When contact tracing nurses identified patients in isolation or quarantine who needed food assistance, I signed families up for delivery and maintained a database of client information. I coordinated logistics with the Hampden County Sheriff's Office and Probation Department to ensure safe, timely deliveries that followed social distancing protocols. Household sizes ranged up to 16 people in multigenerational homes, underscoring the scale of need and the importance of responsive local coordination.

Vaccination Celebration & COVID Remembrance
I served as lead planner on two significant COVID-19 public events. The Vaccination Celebration was a community-centered event designed to encourage vaccination uptake by creating a welcoming, joyful atmosphere complete with free food trucks, ice cream trucks, vendors, live music, a DJ, and public health nurses administering vaccines. Later, I planned the COVID-19 Remembrance Ceremony on the steps of Springfield City Hall, honoring those lost to the pandemic.
These both involved securing city approvals and permits, coordinating speakers and the agenda, managing budget and cost concerns, securing vendors, working with our graphic design team on outreach materials, and managing day-of logistics to ensure a successful event.

SNAP Crisis Response
When significant SNAP benefit delays threatened food security for Springfield residents in November 2025, I responded with urgency. I developed clear, accessible one-pagers explaining what was happening with benefits and where residents could find emergency food including the Food Bank of Western Mass food finder, 413Cares, the HIP vendor map, and Project Bread's hotline. These resources were posted on the City of Springfield website and the internal employee intranet. I also created action step recommendations for SDHHS leadership outlining short, medium, and long-term strategies, and began building a municipal coalition and task force around SNAP and food security vulnerabilities.

Long-Term SNAP Policy Response
Beyond immediate crisis response, I've worked to understand and communicate the long-term impacts of federal SNAP policy changes under H.R. 1. This included attending trainings, conducting independent research, and consulting with policy experts like Pat Baker at the Mass Law Reform Institute. I developed detailed explainer materials for professionals; walking through each policy change, its significance, and practical implications; as well as simpler one-pagers for residents focused on action steps and available exemptions. I presented materials to Public Health Council at the request of my Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. All materials were translated into Spanish through my program associate, ensuring bilingual access.

Advocacy & board leadership

CISA Board of Directors

I serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), a regional buy local organization working across the three counties of Western Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin). CISA cultivates excitement around local food production, and directly supports local farms by offering trainings and technical assistance on a range of topics from growing practices, business/employee management, climate resilience, grant writing, and more. In this role, I help provide strategic guidance at the intersection of public health, local food access, and environmental sustainability, ensuring that community health perspectives inform decisions about our regional food economy.

Springfield Pride
I'm a founding member of the Springfield Pride Parade Committee, having helped organize the city's first annual Pride event in 2022. Each year, I coordinate SDHHS's presence at Pride, ensuring staff participation in the parade contingent and visibility for public health resources that serve our LGBTQ+ community. Pride in Springfield represents years of advocacy for visibility, celebration, and belonging.

LGBTQ+ Health Advocacy
Beyond formal roles, I've worked to connect LGBTQ+ community members, particularly younger people, with resources for sexual health including PrEP access and HIV prevention. I've advocated for more informed clinical practices around newer prevention options and worked to ensure that LGBTQ+ health perspectives are represented in public health conversations. This advocacy is personal and ongoing.

         benleebland@gmail.com