Spotlight On: Alianza
Our Member Relations Committee was pleased to surprise Alianza as our October 2026 Member Spotlight Presented by Ted & Barbara Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. The Spotlight was received by Carmen Nieves, Executive Director of Alianza, accompanied by Pamela Barnes, Deputy Director, and Alyssa Lunghi, Board President.
Especially during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we wanted to shine a spotlight on Alianza. Alianza is an organization dedicated to assisting, supporting and empowering those whose lives are affected by domestic abuse. They offer free, confidential services to those whose intimate partner, caregiver, or family member makes them feel unsafe. Since its founding, Alianza has sheltered more than 10,000 women and children, and assisted 22,000 others through their community support programs. Each year, Alianza shelters approximately 80 to 100 women and 140 children.
Alianza, formerly known as Womanshelter/Compañeras, was originally founded as a grassroots collective in 1980 by Jane Sanders. Sanders, who at the time worked for the Hampden County Women’s Center in Springfield, recognized a great need for domestic violence services in the area. Jane was soon joined by two other women – Jane Frey and Jane Schraft – and in the fall of 1979 the “three Janes” began organizing community meetings to explore establishing a shelter in Holyoke for abused women. One year later, in December of 1980, opened the shelter. The organization officially changed names in 2021 to Alianza, which is Spanish for “alliance”, a name chosen to signify solidarity and community support, and that the community must work together as an alliance to ensure that everyone can live free of domestic violence. Today, Alianza is led by Executive Director Carmen Nieves, who has been with the organization for over 20 years.
Alianza offers a myriad of resources, such as: help finding emergency shelter and safe housing, food and clothing; medical support; assistance in building a personal safety plan; support group resources; help navigating the court orders and legal help; therapy and one-on-one advocacy and support; childcare; access to to community resources; support groups, and more. Situations involving domestic violence can be delicate and unique to each survivor, and Alianza believes each person deserves the respect to make their own choices, and to feel empowered and supported by staff with a high level of emotional support for independent decision-making.
On September 26th, Alianza hosted their inaugural 5k fundraiser, called the “Cider Donut Dash”. The race featured a timed 5k run, a 1.5 mile walk, and concluded with apple cider and of course, cider donuts. The Nor’easter storm didn’t stop participants and supporters from showing up and embarking along the Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke! There were 450 runners/walkers in what will now be an annual event, as they raised $40k, almost double their goal. The race supported survivors and the work that Alianza does to provide safety, advocacy and hope for Individuals and families throughout Western MA.
Thank you, Alianza, for providing critical resources and assistance to people in the most difficult moments. Your care for the community does not go unnoticed!
