Member Highlight: Shereene Robinson

Shereene Robinson’s journey of personal transformation began when she first stepped into a Union Capital Springfield (UCS) meeting, a moment that would open her eyes to the resources, programs, and passionate individuals working to improve their community. Through UCS, Robinson found more than just guidance; she discovered a supportive network and the tools she needed to reshape her future—empowering her to go beyond what she thought was possible and to help others in the process.

(Photo of Springfield, MA taken by @413valleyguy via Instagram)

“When I started going to the meetings, I found out there were so many programs available, so many enthusiastic, great people that live in this town and want to do better by the community, for themselves. It was just eye-opening and exciting, it was a wonderful surprise. But it was also very frustrating because a lot of people don’t know about these programs that are available,” said Shereene Robinson, who shared her experience with UCS.

Robinson has been a dedicated member of UCS for over a year, and the community around her has become one of the biggest assets in her life. UCS was able to connect Robinson to resources regarding financial education, which pushed her towards a more financially literate outlook on her struggles. 

“There’s amazing organizations and communities out there to promote a healthy and thriving future for everybody. For everybody,” said Robinson. 

Robinson spoke about a time in her life where she felt under-accomplished, and unworthy of what she called, “the American dream.” Her kids had grown up and left the house, and Robinson had dreams of working full time and being able to vacation. The realization that the American dream Robinson had been promised would not be coming followed shortly after.

“If you’re getting help from assistance, as soon as you make ‘too’ much, you’re done. There’s no chance of saving any money or doing anything,” said Robinson.

Robinson felt she couldn’t understand financial jargon, or subsequently how the finances around her worked. The deeper question Robinson faced was, who did she go to with questions about this? 

“Through my connections at Union Capital I found out the first time you go to pay your 401K, there's a fee. Then you have to pay taxes on it. This is before you touch your money. So if you have, say, $500,000 saved up, you gotta pay taxes, you pay a fee, then you don’t have $500,000. And a lot of people don’t know that. No one tells you that.” 

Though she already felt financially educated, Union Capital helped push her to help others understand financial jargon and become financially literate. Robinson has been able to meet a lot of community role models and have set up future partnerships for teaching her programs. 

“The members of Union Capital are outstanding. The programs are phenomenal. It helped me to see beyond what I thought I knew about the community and myself.”

Left to right (UCS Network Coordinators): Jasmyn Quinones, Jess Torres, and Nicole Coakley.

Robinson has also participated in some of the Leadership courses offered through Union Capital, and because of that she has been able to make a goal for herself to teach financial education in order to promote financial literacy in the community. 

“I cannot see myself at 70 years old just going to a job and being miserable,” Robinson said, “Because of what was going on in my life, I hadn’t been working, and I got to volunteer in the community.” 

Robinson is a certified phlebotomist, but during a trying period of trying to find work, she began to volunteer. Through volunteering, she got to connect with her community and get to know the area she lived in. During the excitement of volunteering and forming a relationship with her community, Robinson decided to go back to school for Medical Assisting at Holyoke Community College. 

“I’m on student senate, I’m in the Christian club, I was in ASL club, I am enjoying the experience, and I never would have done that before, but now I’m immersed in it.”

Through UCS, Robinson was able to better her connection to the community but also to her education. She had gotten more engaged in the community by furthering her knowledge and becoming uplifted through volunteering, through studying, and through bettering herself.