The Charlestown Coalition News: 

Issue 68

April 2022

Acknowledgement of Recent Community Violence

Last month, our Trauma Response Team supported 3 individuals impacted by the recent community violence in Charlestown. Youth and families were directed to local supports to address symptoms of trauma. Additionally, our trauma team continues to coordinate with Charlestown and Boston providers to advocate for additional resources and increase safety in the community. We will continue to work with anyone effected by community violence and direct them to necessary supports. If you or someone you know is in need of support during this time, please contact our Trauma Response Team either through our hotline at (617) 643-0449 or email Phenice Zawatsky here.

Recovery Court Graduation Highlight

In early April, we celebrated Darlene Elias who completed the Charlestown Recovery Court process in just 18 months. We are honored to see yet another graduate of the program and look forward to many more. Keynote address was given by Maryanne Frangules, Executive Director of MOAR, Massachusetts Organization of Addiction & Recovery. Since 1991, the MOAR has been

organizing recovering individuals, families and friends into a collective voice to

educate the public about the value of recovery from alcohol and other addictions.

Recovery Court was spearheaded by Shannon Lundin and began in May of 2013. This program a specialized court session which assists individuals on probation who suffer with chronic Substance Use Disorders. These individuals voluntarily participate in court-stipulated drug treatment as an alternative to prison. The partnership between the Charlestown Division of the Boston Municipal Court (BMC), its Probation Department and the Charlestown community has been strengthened over time, and has supported many people through their recovery.

Congratulations Darlene!

TURN IT AROUND cleans up the Peace Park!

In honor of Earth Day, we participated in the Annual Peace Park Clean Up! Huge thank you to our partner The Kennedy Center, and to everyone who came by! Thank you to Baby Boyle Bouquets for the flowers, Charlestown YMCA for the pizza, MGH Charlestown & Dr. Linda Forsyth, Gina Endres from Councilor Mejia's office, and the Transformational Prison Project for helping!

Save the Date: TURN IT AROUND 10-Year Celebration

Race & Equity Dialogue

Join us on Tuesday May 17th at 5:30pm for our monthly Race & Equity Discussion. This series explores important topics about the impact of race, policing in urban settings, and equity. It is open to all members of the Charlestown community and the general public. Please note meetings are once again in person!

This forum is being co-sponsored by the Charlestown Coalition, Turn It Around Youth Program, Senator Lydia Edwards and her team.

Community Partner Highlight:

Christ Church Leaders JD and Natalie Mangrum

JD and Natalie Mangrum have been married for 18 years; they have two sons, Noah (b 2009) and Owen (b 2012). In 2016 they moved to Charlestown to start a new church in the community. JD is Pastor of Christ Church Charlestown, a church with a simple mission of "bringing Charlestown together.” Pre-pandemic, the church met on Sundays at the Harvard-Kent; during the pandemic, they met at various locations around the neighborhood; and in February of this year, Christ Church moved into their permanent location at the First Church building. Christ Church and the Mangrums love Charlestown and have served with Turn It Around, Kennedy Center, Special Townies, youth sports, Charlestown Mothers Association, the Bunker Hill Day Parade, our neighborhood schools, and more. The Mangrums love coffee, the Red Sox, and being involved in the neighborhood. If you see them out and about or in the building, please say hey; they say, “Thanks for hearing our story; now we want to hear yours!” 

Trauma Response Team

The Charlestown Coalition’s Trauma Response Team was formed in July 2016 through a grant from the Boston Alliance for Community Health (BACH). The Trauma Response Team initially started as a group of residents who wanted to learn more about trauma, its impact on the community, and how they could best serve residents during traumatic situations. 

Over the past several years, the Trauma Response Team has served as an important part of the Charlestown Coalition by supporting the community and connecting people to treatment concerning issues around loss, community violence and substance use disorders. Our Trauma Response Team consists of dedicated and passionate people who are leaders in their community. 

Throughout this year we have highlighted all our trauma team members and we hope you have enjoyed getting to learn more about each of them. During the month of May, we will be hosting a Mental Health Awareness event that will give you a chance to meet our trauma team in person, ask questions and learn more about what they do in the community. Please join us on May 12th at the Christ Church Charlestown (10 Green St.) between 6-8 P.M. We hope to see you there! 

To learn more about the Trauma Response Team go to our website at:

https://charlestowncoalition.org/trauma-response-team/

Trauma Response Team Training with the International Trauma Center

In response to the recent pandemic and our Massachusetts on-going mental health crisis, our trauma team felt it was important to learn more about suicide prevention. During the months of March and April, our trauma team participated in a suicide prevention training where they learned to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide, what to do if someone is expressing suicidal ideations or a plan and connecting people to the appropriate supports and services. Our suicide prevention training was provided by Dr. Robert Macy from the International Trauma Center. As a result of this training, our trauma team members are aware of the signs and how to support people who may be thinking about suicide. In addition, our trauma team includes mental health providers, who are trained professionals, and we work very closely with the local community health center, MGH Charlestown and New Health Charlestown, to support residents’ mental wellness. 

Trauma Response Team

May 3rd at 5:30 PM

Meetings are held at Charlestown Adult Education. Contact

Phenice Zawatsky to learn more.

Charlestown Family Support Task Force 

May 3rd at 12 PM

Meetings are held virtually until further notice. Contact Phenice Zawatsky to learn more.

Job Posting: Project Manager with Mass General Hospital Office of Equity and Community Health

In November 2020, the MGH Office of Equity and Community Health unveiled the Hospital’s Structural Equity Plan. The goal of the plan is to address structural and overt racism within and outside the organization. These efforts are now in complete alignment with Mass General Brigham’s (MGB) United Against Racism (UAR) efforts, referenced locally as the Equity Inclusion Plan. The Project Manager will play a critical role in supporting ongoing coordination and management of several programs and activities within the Office of Equity and Community Health.

See posting here.

To learn more about our programs, our staff, community partners, resources, upcoming events, TURN IT AROUND, program impact, and more, click below: