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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
I strongly encourage all of you reading this newsletter to register for next week's program: Bouncing Forward - Learned Hopefulness in Challenging Times, featuring Dr. Dan Tomasulo.
I first learned of Dr. Tomasulo when our network partner SPARK Kindness hosted him for a virtual program last July. His words stuck with me and we worked hard to get him to come here virtually to share his expertise with us (thank you Westborough Public Library and Westborough Civic Club for helping make it possible).
Rather than encouraging people to ignore reality or wear unrealistic "rose-colored glasses," Dr. Tomasulo shares techniques and thinking to help people approach the challenges in their lives (such as those brought upon by the pandemic) from a place of hopefulness. At the time of this newsletter release, we already had more than 90 people register to attend. CLEARLY, hope is something we all need to hold on to. Be sure to register for your spot!
Several major religious holidays have been or will soon be celebrated by many in our community. Jews celebrated Passover beginning on March 27th while April 4th marked Easter Sunday for Christians and Hindus celebrated the Holi Festival on March 29th. Looking ahead, Muslims will begin their holy month of Ramadan on April 12th. For the second year in a row, the pandemic impacts the ways people honor their traditions during these important holidays, but hearing from some about modified plans proves that resilience is alive and well in our community.
Finally, here is where my thinking is at this moment...Springtime in New England is a good metaphor for where we are in this pandemic - a warm, sunny day in March gives way to an unexpected, vigorous snow squall that dumps an inch of snow on would-be buds. With COVID-19, we are simultaneously experiencing the movement towards "the light at the end of the tunnel" while also living in the reality of daily infection, illness and quarantine news - in our community, across the country and around the world...And so, while I am beginning to sprinkle my spring clothes into my wardrobe, I still have my winter coat hanging on the hook and I will keep it out for a bit longer.
I "hope" to see you all next Wednesday evening at Bouncing Forward: Learned Hopefulness in Challenging Times.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, on behalf of the Westborough Connects team
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
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Program NEXT WEEK - over 90 already registered! |
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About the program
In his presentation, Dr. Tomasulo will discuss his most recent book and share positive, action-based strategies to help people of all ages and stages of life learn how to change their mindset to a more hopeful one. Dr. Tomasulo will talk about the many mental and physical health benefits of hope and its ability to help us all become more resilient. He will provide simple steps we can all learn and practice as we “bounce forward” from these challenging times.
While this presentation is designed for adults, the information and techniques can be applied by people of all ages. Pre-registration is required. English-language closed captioning will be available.
About the speaker
Dr. Dan Tomasulo is the Academic Director and core faculty member at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology, a MFA in writing, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of the recently released book, "Learned Hopefulness, The Power of Positivity to Overcome Depression."
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We are looking for ONE MORE VOLUNTEER to help us out during this virtual program. If you are willing and available, please email Laura Cerniglia at lauraconnects3@gmail.com.
No prior experience necessary!
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Co-hosted by Westborough Public Library and Westborough Connects. Additional program funding provided by Westborough Civic Club.
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Upcoming Emotional Resilience Training for Young Adults |
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Westborough Youth and Family Services (WYFS), in collaboration with Westborough Connects, is seeking young adults (ages 18-26) to participate in a free small group online training aimed to foster emotional resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Training will be facilitated by a mental health professional and young adult from Minding Your Mind. Must be residents of Westborough.
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Young Adults, ages 18-26, click the button to register. |
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The goals of the training are to:
- Recognize signs and symptoms of mental health distress, beyond day-to-day stress.
- Address the unique ways that young adults may be vulnerable to distress due to the pandemic.
- Identify tools and strategies to manage distress.
- Learn how to support others who are in distress.
- Learn about resources and access help.
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Questions? Want more information first?
Call or email Cara Presley, Director of WYFS: presleyc@town.westborough.ma.us, 508-366-3090.
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This program is made possible by grant funding from
the MetroWest Health Foundation.
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Mark your calendars for Westborough Unplugs!! |
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Several community groups, businesses and town departments - including Nourse Farm, Veg Out at Nourse Farm, Westborough Recreation, Westborough Public Library, Westborough Community Land Trust, Westborough Public Schools, Release Well-Being Center and Westborough Connects - are busy planning special activities that highlight ways to have fun and engage outside of our screens during National Screen-Free Week. Stay tuned for details! You can also keep up-to-date on plans via Facebook HERE. |
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We are grateful to Westborough Civic Club for their generous support of Westborough Unplugs.
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Community Programs and Events |
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PLEASE NOTE: A goal of this newsletter is to highlight free, community-focused events that are open to all and bring us together. We do our best to keep up with all the great things going on around town, but we need your help! Please reach out and let us know about any events that would be important to include! Email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com. Thank you.
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Children's Story Time at Hollywood Salvage
Sponsored by Hygge House Books
April 10th - two session options: 11am and 1pm
Westborough resident, educator and Hygge House Books owner, Beth Orsini, will be at Hollywood Salvage to read aloud from a selection of culturally diverse picture books for two 20-30 minute sessions: 11 am and 1 pm. This program is designed to promote listening skills, foster empathy, and arouse children's curiosity about the world around them.
Children will also be able to color in and take home their own bookmarks, provided by Hygge House Books. The programs are FREE and open to all.
Due to safe social distancing practices, space is limited to six spots per session and preregistration is required. There is no cost for this program. Appropriate for children ages 4 and up. Register HERE.
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From the Westborough Public Library Teen Zone... |
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Epic Writing Showdown with Lawn Games for Teens
Wednesday, April 21, 1-2:30pm
Library Front Lawn, 55 West Main St, Westborough
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The Teen Zone is very excited to host a brand new, LIVE-In-Person writing contest for teens that will feature giant lawn games, delicious snacks, a super prize, and of course....lots of creative writing. Participating teens will be given characters and a setting and it's up to them to write a super story and present it to the group. Teens will vote for their favorite and the winner will receive a $40 gift card!! This program is only open to 12 teens and will fill up fast so be sure to register today to reserve your spot. Register HERE.
NOTE: Since this event will take place outside, please prepare for the weather. Bring a lawn chair or blanket! Rain Date: Thursday, April 22 at 1 PM
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This event is FREE and open to all.
The Boroughs YMCA is located at 4 Valente Drive, Westborough.
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WeCARE is hosting a
Little Anti-Racist Library Painting Party
Sunday, April 25th - two sessions: noon and 1pm
Come and join us for a painting/decorating party for our Little Free Anti-Racist library! Younger children should join us at noon; older (10 and up) - at 1pm. We will provide all supplies! Pre-registration is required for this event. Register HERE.
What is a Little Free Library? We have several here in Westborough. This will be the first dedicated to anti-racist books. Learn more about them HERE.
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Westborough Historical Society presents:
“The Legacy of Birding in Westborough”
Monday, April 26th, 7 pm
In these times of COVID, bird-watching in the serenity of nature is a popular pastime. Edward Howe Forbush (1858-1929) lived in Westborough, became the state ornithologist in 1908, and was a founder of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Westborough Library’s case of taxidermied birds is a product of his expertise at age 18. Society President Kathy Cavaliere will reveal the fascinating career of Edward Forbush.
Continuing that bird-watching legacy, Wheaton Biology Professor Scott Shumway of Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT) and local ornithologist Sean Williams, Visiting Assistant Professor at Holy Cross, will describe different habitats and their favorite sites for birdwatching in Westborough. (Co-sponsored by the Westborough Community Land Trust and the Westborough Historical Society.)
Registration available HERE
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Between May 2nd and 9th, you may notice beautiful "Gratitude Gardens" sprouting up in front of Westborough Public School locations around town. Be sure to drive or walk by to check them out.
What is a "Gratitude Garden?"
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Westborough Education Foundation (WEF) is hosting a fundraiser whereby parents, caregivers and community members can purchase toy pinwheels as a token of appreciation for the talents and efforts of Westborough educators. Volunteers from the Westborough Education Foundation will be "planting" purchased pinwheel "flowers" at each of the Westborough Public Schools. The initiative will enable WEF to fund grants to teachers and educators for the implementation of innovative educational programs, partnerships and enrichment activities which are outside the funding normally provided in the school budget.
How can you learn more?
Visit the Gratitude Garden page of Westborough Education Foundation website HERE.
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Westborough Wildflower Hunt
Hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust
March-June 2021
Help WCLT inventory the wildflowers on our properties by taking part in this fun scavenger hunt! Check the WCLT Facebook page HERE every month for posted pictures of wildflowers that bloom that month. If you see those flowers in Westborough, comment with a picture and include where you saw them. Have fun and learn to identify local wildflowers at the same time! PLEASE, absolutely no picking flowers or damaging plants!
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Upcoming SPARK Kindness and Partner Programs |
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Thursday, April 15th, 7-8pm
Dr. Brisco-Smith will present on how parents and caregivers can support themselves and empower their BIPOC children amidst racism and trauma. An afternoon session for educators and school leaders will also be offered.
For more information and to register for either of these FREE virtual programs, click HERE.
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Grateful for Support of Westborough Connects |
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Thank you Westborough Women's Club for your recent donation to Westborough Connects! We are very grateful for your support and partnership.
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Opportunities for Connection; Helping Others & the Environment |
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WCLT Annual Earth Day Clean-up |
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April 10th-17th
Hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust
Deadline to sign-up: April 9th
Every year, the Westborough Community Land Trust sponsors a town-wide litter clean-up in Westborough. Visit HERE to sign up and select an area to clean this year. All signups MUST be done online.
NOTE: Due to continued coronavirus concerns, no in-person signups or picnic will take place. Trash bags will be dropped off at participants’ homes by the 10th or you can arrange to pick them up. You may clean your chosen area any day or time before noon on April 17th.
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The Westborough COVID-19 Community Fund was established to distribute resources to residents in Westborough who are disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Hosted by the Westborough Rotary Fund, Inc., the Westborough COVID-19 Community Fund was created following the recommendations of a task force in Westborough, aimed at identifying and responding to community needs related to the impact of COVID-19.
It has set a goal to raise $30,000 by April 16th. Click HERE for more information.
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On March 31st, the Square One collaborative team presented "In Their Own Words: Stories of Hope," featuring 3 amazing Westborough High School alumni sharing their experiences as teens and young adults dealing with mental health challenges. The program was broadcast on Westborough TV and you can watch it HERE. We encourage high school students, parents and caregivers to watch this powerful panel discussion and hope it will prompt good discussions within families and social circles as well as provide information about resources within WPS and through Westborough Youth & Family Services, and help counter the stigma associated with mental health.
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On Saturday, March 27th, local friends and supporters SHOWED UP, joining together at the Westborough rotary to stand up against anti-Asian hate. Read more about the rally, which was organized by Westborough Chinese American Association, in this Community Advocate article.
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Congratulations to Gibbons Middle School student Aryan, the winner of the first ever Westborough Public Library Teen Kindness Writing Contest. The challenge required participants to answer the question “If you were given $50, how would you use it to pass forward kindness to others?” Aryan’s idea was to use the money for ice cream gift cards to be distributed at Gibbons Middle School. The catch? Students will have to be caught in an act of kindness to receive the Dairy Queen gift card. Three cheers to Aryan for a great idea that spreads kindness.
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Hastings Elementary Kindergartners in Mrs. Doyle's and Mrs. Collins' classes have been busy making films about Westborough. Click on the teacher's names to see their AMAZING videos and learn about all the "must see" places in town!
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Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
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April is Autism Awareness month and April 2nd was World Autism Day. Recently, Westborough resident and Westborough Connects board member, Aileen Barretti, posted on Facebook about visual symbols related to the Autism community. As a society, we recognize certain symbols as they relate to health, brands, movements, and beyond. We wanted to share her thoughts on previous and currently acceptable symbols. Read them HERE. |
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- Westborough Connects, in conjunction with the MLK Program Team, publishes a monthly Racial Justice Toolkit each month. You can read previous editions HERE and sign up to receive them moving forward HERE. Each month’s toolkit features a theme and includes at least four recommendations for things to read, listen to, watch, or do. The recommended resources are free and available through the Westborough Public Library. They are released on our around the 18th of each month and will continue for the remainder of 2021.
- The Cambridge Center for Adult Education is offering an upcoming free program, Showing Up Right: Anti-Ism and Cultural Competency Discovery for Volunteers. The 90-minute program will be held via Zoom on April 22nd from 5-6:30pm. For more information, click HERE.
- The Westborough Affordable Housing Trust is now accepting applications for Covid-19 emergency rental assistance. Applications are due April 20, 2021 at 5pm. For more information, including flyers in 5 languages, click HERE. NOTE: the Trust is matching rental assistance donations through COVID-19 Community Fund, dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.
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"We search for hope from afar; while the little things offer solace in the dark."
-Angie Weiland-Crosby
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Westborough Connects is grateful for the support of Reliant Foundation, through its Community Grants Program. This support enables Westborough Connects to continue its mission of building a connected, kind and resilient community. |
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About Westborough Connects
Westborough Connects is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472) focused on building a more connected and kind community where everybody feels like they belong. Often in partnership with others, Westborough Connects creates opportunities to support and celebrate the diversity, spirit, and character of Westborough through programs and events that are community-based, strengths-based and dedicated to connecting people to resources and each other.
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