Our First Event: Harvesting for Hope
A Vendor & Community Celebration
Saturday, October 10, 2026 • 1:00–6:00 PM • Amherst, MA
Shop local vendors, connect with community resources, and enjoy family-friendly activities. Vendor tables are $45.
Vendor registration is now open: contact@growingupwithhope.org • (413) 261-9599
Share Our Event Flyer
Harvesting for Hope
Help us spread the word. Share the flyer with friends, family, local vendors, and community partners. Vendor registration is now open for October 10, 2026.
Growing Up With Hope
Building Stability. Strengthening Families. Restoring Hope.
Growing Up With Hope (GWH) is a community-based nonprofit supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, domestic violence, and other barriers to stability. Through intensive case management, advocacy, resource navigation, and community partnerships, we help families address immediate needs while working toward long-term stability, independence, and hope.
Hope Begins With Support
Families experiencing homelessness and instability often face several challenges at once. GWH provides individualized, compassionate, trauma-informed support that considers the needs, strengths, priorities, and goals of the whole family.
Meet the people behind Growing Up with Hope!
Founded and led by professionals committed to compassionate, community-based support for individuals and families.
Fijerique Koffi-Tessio, MSW, LADC I
Founder
Erin Saunders, RN
Co-founder
Our Approach: Meeting People Where They Are
Every family’s circumstances are different. GWH does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We collaborate with the people we serve to understand their priorities, strengths, challenges, and goals. Our work is grounded in compassion, dignity, advocacy, collaboration, empowerment, and hope.
Intensive Case Management & Advocacy
We work alongside individuals and families to identify needs, establish goals, navigate complex systems, and connect with resources that support immediate safety and long-term stability.
Housing Stability & Basic Needs
We assist families experiencing homelessness or housing instability with housing navigation, advocacy, emergency resource connections, benefits, transportation, employment, education, and other practical needs.
Family & Behavioral Health Support
We connect families with parenting and childcare resources, healthcare, mental health and substance use services, recovery and harm-reduction supports, and specialized domestic violence programs.
Educational Programs
Workshops and training focused on life skills, wellness, and empowerment to break cycles of disadvantage.
Advocacy and Resources
Helping clients access healthcare, housing, and social services through outreach and Case Management to build lasting stability.
Get in touch
Telephone: (413) 261-9599
E-mail: contact@growingupwithhope.org
Address: Springfield, MA