🍨 Sweet updates from Open Sky programs!

Spring/Summer 2024 Edition

Over $170,000 raised at the Safe Homes Gala

On April 12th, Safe Homes hosted the 2024 Safe Homes Gala and People of Courage Awards at the AC Hotel by Marriott Worcester. People of Courage Awardees were recognized for their leadership and contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community.

There were 350+ attendees and together raised over $170,000 through the Fund-A-Need, online silent auction, ticket sales, and sponsorships.

Several Open Sky staff members were in attendance, celebrating the awardees and supporting Safe Homes.

All proceeds from the event supports Safe Homes programming such as:

• Free one-on-one mental health counseling
• Community outings and adventures
• Hot meals for drop-in days
• Transgender Resource Center
• Workshops with community partners
• Restocking the food pantry

Worcester Public Library Community Resource Fair

Open Sky and Central Community Health Partnership (CCHP) attended the Community Resources Fair at the Worcester Public Library on May 21st.

The event was hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Attendees were able to learn about services from local agencies and listen to personal stories and artwork of healing and recovery.

Boston BullPen Project Journalism Event

Dana Eaton, Community Supports Team Lead, attended the Boston BullPen Project's event celebrating Boston Sports Journalism Heritage. Dana was able to meet journalism legends including Dan Shaughnessy, renowned Boston Globe Columnist.

The Boston BullPen Project has partnered with Open Sky for several years to provide financial assistance to individuals served. Through funds from BullPen, individuals can purchase life changing items and services such as furniture, bikes, and driving classes.

CVS Training Program Graduation

Congratulations to the individuals who graduated from the CVS Training Cohort on May 15th. This program helps individuals to develop their skills for successful careers and is sponsored by the Central MA Employment Collaborative (CMEC).

Family Fun Fishing Day

On Saturday, May 4th, about 300 people attended Family Fun Fishing Day, with 208 participating in the contest! The Community Membership Department appreciates the dedicated FFFD Planning Committee Members, including individuals served from the Blackstone Valley, their supporting programs and staff, the Family Support Center for running a great activity area, all of our FFFD partner organizations and the many volunteers. Without all of you this would not be possible!

This event is hosted by Open Sky Community Services, Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor Volunteers-in-Parks Program, Blackstone River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

Worcester Bravehearts Pen Pal Club in Full Swing

The baseball season is in full swing and Open Sky has teamed up with the Worcester Bravehearts for another Pen Pal Club!

Throughout the summer, players and individuals served will exchange journals and get together in August for a cookout at Fitton Field.

Interested in participating in next year's Pen Pal Club or want to get involved with other Community Membership initiatives?

Learn more at openskycs.org/communitymembership or contact Michelle Benjamin at michelle.benjamin@openskycs.org.

Furry Friends

Velma

Velma is the Community Membership Team's mascot, and furry companion of Dana Chalberg, Community Membership Facilitator. Velma goes to work with Dana at the Alternatives' Whitin Mill and they enjoy visiting individuals and staff at programs. Velma makes regular visits to the OASIS program often bringing comfort to individuals who are new to the program and who may miss their own dogs at home.

When not at work, Velma participates in the sport of Nose Work, recently earning her Nose Work Level 3 Title and a blue ribbon for a first-place finish. The Community Membership team has hosted Nose Work Mock Trials in 2023 and 2024.

Teddy

Teddy and his human, Rose, recently visited the Leominster Art Group and Linwood House! A few years ago, when Rose worked for Open Sky, she applied for a community innovation grant to become a handler and owner of a NEADS assistance dog. As an LICSW, Rose hoped to use the dog as a resource for individuals served in her programs. She is now the owner of her own private practice and has recently completed training at NEADS with her ADI assistance dog, Teddy! 

Rose is happy to make Teddy’s services available to any program or at any event where Open Sky staff and individuals could benefit, at no cost. Contact Rose for more information or to meet Teddy!

Rose Seibold, LICSW (she/her)

Helping the helpers.

Holistic Mind Spa

www.holisticmindspa.org

508-251-9815

Congratulations to Karen Duby!

Karen Duby, LICSW, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Open Sky, was recognized for her participation in the Massachusetts Institute for Community Health Leadership (MICHL) on Friday, May 3, 2024.

MICHL is a nine-month program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation which seeks to develop evolving leaders in public health and within the health care system.

CMHA Walk for the Homeless

On May 19th, Team Open Sky participated in the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance's 39th Annual Walk for the Homeless at Elm Park.

We had a great turnout from Open Sky's housing team who support individuals and families needing housing assistance and resources.

Center for Hope Legislative Breakfast

Omo Fagboore, Career Pipeline Director, was awarded an Outstanding Leadership Award at the 33rd Annual Center for Hope Legislative Breakfast on May 21st.

Gathered with the Providers of Central Mass, key government officials, and families advocating for disability rights, this year's theme 'Disability Myth Busters' aimed to shatter stereotypes and reaffirm that we should always #AssumeIWill!

Valley Friendship Tour

We had an AMAZING time at this year's Valley Friendship Tour on June 1st!

The community gathered at the Alternatives' Whitin Mill to walk, run, and bike throughout the beautiful and historic Blackstone Valley. Afterward, we enjoyed lunch and entertainment at the Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza.

Together, we raised over $117,000! All proceeds fund essential services at Open Sky and programs had the opportunity to raise funds to directly benefit individuals they serve.

Congratulations to the top fundraising team, the Wrentham Rascals!

Open Sky has Pride!

Leominster Summer Stroll

Rebecca Ladue, Behavioral Health Service Director, and her daughter represented Open Sky at Leominster's Annual Summer Stroll. They had a sand art table for kids and shared information about Open Sky's Services. This is one of many places Open Sky has been and will be represented in the community this summer!

Human Services Career Support Cohort 4 Graduation

Twenty-eight people graduated from the Human Services Career Support Program on June 21st.

Roughly 150 people were in attendance at the graduation ceremony for twenty-eight members of Cohort 4 of the Human Services Career Support Program. The program is part of the Central Mass Career Pipeline Program, which is a collaborative initiative between Open Sky, Seven Hills Foundation, African Community Education (ACE), Southeast Asian Coalition (SEAC), Mass Hire, Healthy Greater Worcester Coalition, UMass Chan Medical School and the City of Worcester.

The Human Services Career Support program is designed to provide training, wrapround supports and job rotations for immigrants, refugees and other underserved groups to help them start their careers in the human services field. Since inception, the program has trained 100 people over four cohorts, and has a retention rate of 83%.

The graduation attendees heard from speakers such as Che Anderson of UMass Chan Medical School, Tommy Heavren from Commonwealth Corporation (a funder of this program), Lisa Jeronymo, VP of HR at Open Sky, Lorie Martiska, EVP/Chief Advancement Officer at Open Sky, CEO’s Ken Bates of Open Sky and Kathee Jordan of Seven Hills, Omo Fagboore, Career Pipeline Director, and from several participants in the program, and then enjoyed a musical performance by Faustine, a member of Cohort 1. The group named themselves The Conquerors and are ready to begin their careers!

Cohort 5 started this month and we are excited to welcome them into our programs!

CARE Corner:

Committee Advancing Racial Equity

BIPOC Meet-Up

Our Mann Street office turned into a runway at the first BIPOC Meet-Up on June 4th. Stay tuned for info on future Meet-Ups!

Staff came together for a potluck and had a fashion show highlighting various parts of their cultures.

These Meet-Ups are an opportunity for BIPOC staff to hang out, have fun, and learn about each other's backgrounds.

While working at Open Sky, if you witness or experience discrimination or racism, please SPEAK UP. Even if you're not sure, don't be quiet about it. Easily submit an incident report with this QR code, or reach out to the Diversity/Race Equity Office.

Text or Call: (508) 318 - 7385

Email: diversity@openskycs.org

Speak Up may be used to report incidents of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, ableism, and all other forms of discrimination.

This process is confidential and you're protected against retaliation.

Open Sky's leadership will follow up with an appropriate response.

ValleyCAST Summer Concerts - Every Thursday at the Alternatives' Whitin Mill

Open Sky Game Day at the Worcester Bravehearts - Thursday, July 25th

Open Sky Health Fair - September 18th, 10-2pm, Alternatives' Whitin Mill

Congratulations to the following Open Sky staff members and programs who go above and beyond, and have received recognition for their work this quarter. Thank you for all you do! If you see any of these incredible people, let them know how much they are appreciated.

Supervisors can nominate staff for recognition by completing the Employee Recognition Form found here.

Celebrating Years of Service Milestones (April through June):