November 2024 Newsletter

Celebrating Excellence at the 2024 Recognition Awards

On November 6, Open Sky hosted its Recognition Awards Reception at the College of the Holy Cross, celebrating the remarkable achievements of employees, programs, community partners, and individuals served by the organization.

Each honoree represents the dedication and impact driving the agency forward.

Congratulations to all the awardees for their inspiring contributions as Open Sky looks ahead to another year of meaningful work!

Safe Homes Program Honored with National Award

Open Sky’s Safe Homes program has been honored with the 2024 Community Activism Award by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS). Program Director Oscar Oliveira Soens and Service Director Heather Stravato accepted the award on November 9 at the NOHS 2024 Conference in New Orleans.

Safe Homes supports LGBTQIA+ youth and their straight allies, ages 14 to 23, across Central Massachusetts. The program has been recognized as a beacon of hope for its commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The Community Activism Award highlights individuals or organizations making significant social justice contributions at local, state, and national levels.

New Video Shares the History of Whitinsville and the Whitin Legacy

ValleyCAST and Open Sky partnered with the Whitin family to create an historic video, over ten years in the making, which tells the story of the Whitin family, their companies, and the village of Whitinsville.

It follows this history from the late 1700s to the present while drawing in the perspectives of local historians, members of the Whitin family, and individuals from the Northbridge community.

Hitting the Ice with the Worcester Railers!

This season, individuals served by Open Sky programs and staff, along with their families, are enjoying Worcester Railers hockey games, including themed suite nights like Autism Acceptance and Hometown Heroes.

Open Sky Joins the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance

Open Sky has joined the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA), marking an important step in advancing our "whole health" mission to promote wellness, stability, and meaningful lives for individuals and families. This strategic membership reflects our deepened commitment to addressing housing instability and homelessness in Central Massachusetts.

Through MHSA, Open Sky will gain access to valuable resources, including research, training opportunities, and best practices in housing and homelessness services. The membership also connects Open Sky to a statewide network of nearly 100 community-based organizations, fostering collaboration and innovation in service delivery.

Additionally, we will participate in MHSA’s strong advocacy efforts, contributing to shaping policies that directly impact those they serve. This partnership aims to drive systemic change in tackling homelessness and housing inequities.

We look forward to the opportunities this membership will create for the organization and the communities we support. 

Save some of your Black Friday cash to make someone smile this holiday season!

What's Going On at Open Sky?

Open Sky Community Services provides services to nearly 8,000 individuals in Central Mass each year facing complex challenges. That means that support is needed year-round so we can continue to provide services and remove the barriers to living a fulfilling life.

You have the power to ensure that individuals and families experiencing mental health diagnoses, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and homelessness get the help they need, every day of the year.

Have additional feedback or ideas for future newsletters? Let us know at info@openskycs.org