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February 28, 2025: Issue 4
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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Embracing New Beginnings
“Transformation is an ongoing process that tends to appear ordinary, when, in fact, something extraordinary is taking place.” - Suzy Ross
The month of February is considered a month for new beginnings. As we approach the end of winter and look towards warmer spring days on the horizon, now is a perfect time to practice self-reflection and view change as a necessary and natural part of our lives. Practicing self-reflection can include letting go of things that no longer serve us, having compassion for ourselves, and making room for the opportunity to begin anew.
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In the recovery world, many believe in the practice of greeting each new day as a chance to begin again. With this mindset, each new day can provide us with an opportunity to start over, set new goals, and embrace positive changes. Embracing change is a fundamental aspect of recovery. As we approach spring, it can serve as a powerful reminder that change is not only possible but it is also transformative. Change is an inevitable part of life, not just for individuals in recovery but for all of us.
Though change is a natural part of life, it can often be accompanied by feelings of fear and doubt. Even when we know that change is necessary, needed, and unavoidable, it can be both scary and overwhelming. When we make the decision to close one door, accept change, and let go of the things that no longer serve us anymore, it is normal to feel apprehensive, but this period of transition can lead to powerful transformation.
Each new chapter in our lives presents us with an opportunity to learn and grow. Embracing new beginnings offers us a chance for a fresh start and the opportunity to invite a new outlook on life. Everything we experience in our lives, each challenge, every misstep, are all opportunities for us to learn and evolve as human beings. While we are on the precipice of our world undergoing its annual seasonal transformation, we can be reminded of our own personal capacity for growth and renewal.
Here are some tips for embracing new beginnings:
- Try to work at setting small, achievable goals for yourself
- Be open to new experiences
- Spend time with friends and family and other community that can be part of your support network
- Practice self-compassion
- Start a gratitude journal
- Try a new experience like taking a class, reading a new book, learning a new skill, starting a new hobby
- Be gentle and kind with yourself and others
- Look for opportunities that offer a chance to form new connections
Wishing you all a restorative end of winter as we move towards warmer, sunnier spring days ahead.
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Sincerely,
Kristen Cuddy-Pease, Program Associate
Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and North Quabbin
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UPCOMING EVENTS
See what's happening at OTF this month.
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COVID-19 RESOURCES
Explore OTF's COVID-19 Resource Guide.
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Franklin County/North Quabbin 2024-2025 Winter Response Resources for Unhoused Individuals
Click here
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MASSACHUSETTS SUBSTANCE USE HELPLINE
Hope is here. Get help.
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413Cares
Resources for Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region. Click here.
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NQCC'S Newsletter
Resources and upcoming events in the North Quabbin Region.
Click here.
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CONNECTIONS #87
Find local resources in this issue.
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Emergency Services Resources for Unhoused Individuals
Click here.
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The PACES CONNECTION
Click here for resources
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Grayken Center for Addiction
Training & Technical Assistance
Click here to view and/or register for trainings.
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GCC Community Engagement and Workshop Events
Click here to view and/or register for trainings.
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Rural SUD Info Center
Click here for resources.
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268 Bags of Nonperishable Foods, $3K Collected
Greenfield Recorder 2/18/25
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The annual Supper for Six food drive brought together families, friends and coworkers from across Franklin and Hampshire counties last week to support community members facing food insecurity during the February school break.
The United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region’s affinity group, Women’s Way, hosted the 21st iteration of the food drive at the organization’s Greenfield offices. Donors arrived in a drive-thru fashion, with vehicles loaded with bags of nonperishable foods, and were met by volunteers ready to offload the contents into the office.
Many students’ families rely on public schools for food and face financial uncertainty during school breaks. Women’s Way looks to alleviate financial pressures for these families by providing free groceries. The organization collected the bags of food before giving them to community partner groups Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts, Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Center for Self-Reliance, the Franklin County Community Meals Program, the Mary Lyon Foundation and The United Arc for distribution to children and families in need. According to Jenny Coeur, the United Way’s program manager, this year’s drive collected 268 bags of food and more than $3,000 in monetary donations.
“Right now, food is an issue in the community,” said Terry Desautels, chair of Women’s Way. “ As long as the need is still there, we’re going to keep this program going.”
The event relies almost entirely on donations from community members and organizations. Many donors have been participating year after year, as is the case for Turners Falls resident Maeve Shaughnessy, who has been participating for 10 years.
“It’s just such a wonderful program,” Shaughnessy said. “We are able to donate and give back to the community through this safety net we offer.”
Janice Ward, of Pittsfield, and Ian Vukovich, of Northampton, have been part of the donation team at Greenfield Savings Bank for three years. They said they look forward to the Supper for Six food drive as it inspires friendly competition with colleagues.
“We have a contest with our team to inspire some additional donations,” Ward said.
Another leading donor group are the students, parents and faculty members at The Bement School in Deerfield. Every year, the school provides bags to students who bring them back filled with nonperishable foods.
Heather Holohan-Guarnieri, the mother of a Bement School student, found out about the Supper for Six food drive through the school’s parent association and decided to get involved. “I heard Bement was doing a big donation,” Holohan-Guarnieri said. “All grades were invited to participate.”
The Supper for Six food drive transitioned to a drivethru format as opposed to a walk-in event during the COVID-19 pandemic. After hosting its Blooming Backpacks event at a walk-in venue last year, Desautels hopes the food drive will also return to that format by next year.
Women’s Way is always looking for volunteers to help run events like Supper for Six, Desautels added. “People should know that the Women’s Way is doing this,” Desautels said. “If you have the opportunity to donate or spread the word about it, we would be very happy.”
More information on Women’s Way events can be found at uw-fh.org/womensway.
Staff Photo/Paul Franz
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS | |
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Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
March 5, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 pm *Please note time change*
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
March 10, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
March 10, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Education & Prevention Committee
March 11, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee Meeting
March 14, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
April 7, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
April 8, 2025
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
April 10, 2025
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
April 11, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
April 16, 2025
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Consult our website or Facebook Page for updates. Please email us with any questions!
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FEATURED EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
Click here for Post-Opioid Overdose Outreach Services | |
Time Sensitive Announcements | |
Now Through March 15th - Register for a Free Tree | |
Now Through April Enrollment at The Literacy Project
It's not too late to join The Literacy Project! We're still enrolling students through April and offer flexible classes, both virtual and in-person to adults. Whether you're working towards your GED/HiSET or building skills for your career, we’ve got you covered. Learn at your own pace, with support every step of the way. Best of all, our classes are FREE! Call us today at 413-774-3934 to get started. Let's make your goals a reality!
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February 28 The Story of Ophelia | |
February 28 & March 1 Treasure Island | |
March 1 Dance For a Cause | |
March 1 Clothing Swap & Mend | |
March 3 - April 7 Monday Buddy Basketball | |
March 3 - May 2 Ann Feitelson: Quilts Exhibition
Reception March 12
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March 4 Consumer Debt: Navigating The Process
A Know Your Rights Event
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March 5 (every other Wednesday) Salasin Project Housing Support | |
March 8 Local Author Storytime with Eric Bennett | |
March 8 Beyond Flowering Plants: Helping Pollinators Thrive Year-Round | |
March 10 Greenfield Healing Clinic | |
March 10 Computer Basics Class | |
March 10 Stress Relief Series for Tweens and Teens | |
March 10 Community Soup Night! | |
March 18 RML READS Adult Book Club | |
March 20 Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training
You can register here.
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March 20 A Deep Presence: 13,000 Years of Native American History | |
March 28 Music Dance Party | |
March 29 College Behind Bars | |
April 4 An Evening Under The Stars: Tapestry Health 2025 Gala | |
Save The Dates: April 16 & 17, 2025
Together For Hope: Shaping the Future of Addiction Care
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Save The Date: May 30, 2025
The Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness
9th Annual Regional Gathering
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UMASS Amherst Clerk IV Position in Health Promotion & Policy
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MONTHLY WORKSHOP CALENDRS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
Community Action Family Center | |
Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Great Falls Discovery Center | |
Greenfield Public Library Children's Programs | |
LifePath Healthy Living 2025 Winter Workshops | |
Montague Public Library Programs | |
North Quabbin Recovery Center | |
Sunderland Public Library | |
Union 28 Community Network for Children Program | |
Housing Help With Greenfield Housing Authority | |
SNAP Application Assistance | |
Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield | |
What's Happening at The NQRC | |
All Recovery Meeting at The RECOVER Project | |
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Monday/Wednesday/Friday
The Community Closet at The Franklin County Reentry Center
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Monday - Friday
Movement Group with North Quabbin Recovery Center Peer Leaders
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Mondays Breathwork Detox-Guided Group Adventure | |
Mondays North Quabbin Patch Parents' Council | |
Mondays Breaking Barriers at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Mondays Art Guild Meetings | |
Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin | |
Mondays Community Yoga at Wildflower Alliance | |
Mondays Recovery Through Creativity | |
Mondays All Recovery Meeting and Drop In Recovery Coach Support | |
Mondays CNC Playgroup at the Erving Public Library | |
Second Mondays - North Quabbin B.R.R.A.V.V.E. Task Force Meeting | |
Mondays Alternatives to Suicide Group | |
2nd and 4th Mondays Parenting Together at the Brick House | |
Third Monday Alphabet & Allies | |
Third Monday Parenting With Pride | |
Mondays and Thursdays Hygiene Supplies Pick Up at the Brick House | |
Mondays and Thursdays The Brick House Food Pantry | |
Tuesdays Through April 23 Nurturing Fathers | |
Tuesdays Nurturing Program for Families in Recovery | |
Tuesdays Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle | |
Every Other Tuesday - Housing Support Drop In Hours | |
First Tuesday - Dads' Group | |
Tuesday Tea Time & Community Resource Drop-In | |
Tuesdays North Quabbin Recovery Center Coffee Hour | |
Tuesdays Greenfield Suicide Loss Group | |
First Tuesday - P.A.R.T. Task Force | |
Tuesdays Drop-In Knitting & Sewing Sessions | |
Tuesday & Thursdays Weekly Reentry Groups | |
Tuesday Men's Anger Management Group
Wednesday Women's Anger Management Group
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Wednesdays Through April 16 Cooperative Co-Parenting Through Separation and Divorce | |
Wednesdays - Wendell Library Playgroup with Sylvia | |
Wednesdays - Playgroup at the Leverett Library with Gillian | |
Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC | |
Wednesdays Health Connector & Mass Health Navigator Drop In Hours | |
First Wednesday Gentle Yoga and Breathwork with Jennifer | |
First Wednesday - Money Wise Financial Education Sessions | |
Second Wednesday - Whatever Wednesday's | |
Third Wednesday - Fatherhood Meetup | |
Last Wednesday - Office Hours With An Attorney | |
Thursdays January - March Bilingual Music & Movement | |
Thursdays Through May 22 Parenting Journey | |
First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
Thursdays Mens Group in the RPX | |
Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House | |
Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish | |
Thursdays Windows and Mirrors Playgroup | |
Second Thursdays -Peer Grief Support After Overdose Death | |
Second Thursdays North Quabbin Housing Task Force | |
Third Thursdays Court Service Center Walk-in Days at the North Quabbin Patch | |
Fridays FreeWrite of Franklin County | |
Friday All Recovery Meeting and Drop In Recovery Coach Support | |
RECOVER Project Friday Nights | |
First Friday - Open Mic at the RECOVER Project | |
Fridays - The Garden Path | |
MassHealth Navigation Support
First Friday from 9am-12pm and Third Friday from 1pm - 3pm
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First & Third Friday Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group | |
Second Friday Wound Care Clinic with Amy Pierno | |
Second Friday Chosen Family Night | |
Third Friday: Karaoke at The RECOVER Project | |
Respite Care and/or Funding for Respite Care | |
Psychological Testing & Evaluation at Gandara Center | |
Community Support Program & Recovery Support Navigator at Gandara Center | |
Gandara Center Outpatient Services | |
Free Hypnosis Sessions With Certified Hypnotist Jenn Avery | |
Re-entry Workforce Program | |
Homeshare Program with LifePath | |
Pathways to Advanced Manufacturing | |
Specialized HVAC Training | |
Specialized Information Technology Training | |
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Support & Resources After the HEALing Communities Study
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SafeSpot Virtual Overdose Spotting Hotline | |
CHCFC OBAT Same Day & Tele-Health Appointment Information | |
Free Meals and Essentials at Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall | |
Come Cook with Franklin County Community Meals Program | |
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Available | |
Eviction Self-Help Booklets Available in Multiple Languages | |
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MLRI has recently updated and translated some of our self-help booklets for unrepresented tenants facing eviction. While we still recommend tenants facing eviction seek legal help, we know resources are limited and many tenants have to represent themselves. We hope these booklets can be helpful to pro se tenants and their advocates.
You can see the full list of booklets below, or at MassLegalHelp. The booklets can help tenants prepare for court, outline their legal claims, and file court forms. There is also a booklet to help public housing tenants navigate the Grievance process.
Please reach out if you have any questions about the booklets and how they can be used.
What steps to take before going to court and what to bring to court.
An easy-to-use checklist that tells you what conditions violate the State Sanitary Code. You can also use the free self-help guided interview, MADE: Up To Code.
The Answer is a court form that tenants facing evictions can file with the court to outline your legal claims and tell the court your side of the story. You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services’ free self-help guided interview, MADE.
How to ask the court to accept your Answer and Discovery forms late. You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services’ free self-help guided interview, MADE.
A form with instructions for tenants facing eviction to get information to prepare for their trial.
A form with instructions for tenants in foreclosed properties to get information to prepare their case.
A form you can file to transfer your eviction case from a District Court to a Housing Court.
How to get a new court date if you missed your court date.
If you lost your eviction trial and think you have a good case, you may appeal. This document tells you which Appeal form to use.
How to file an appeal from a case in Housing Court.
How to file an appeal from a case in District Court.
How to get time to stay in your home if you lost your case.
How to ask the court to pay for court costs.
How to think through the terms you want in an agreement. Includes a worksheet and stipulation forms to use when you go to court. Read this booklet as webpages and watch the videos!
How to correct errors on your online court records. The Booklet includes the court form you can save to your computer, fill out, save again and print when ready.
A booklet for tenants in Mass. about the grievance process, including worksheets to help you prepare for a grievance hearing.
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Update! Greenfield CSC New Hybrid Operations Change | |
Beginning Tuesday, 9.3.24, the Greenfield Court Service Center (CSC)services will be in-person and remote: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-1pm; 2pm-4:30 pm, and Fridays, 8:30-1pm.
For ANY/ALL REMOTE REQUESTS, please contact the Virtual Court Service Center, M-F 9am -2pm, if you do not have an emergency. You can reach them for an intake, Monday-Friday, 9am to 2pm, by Zoom video or telephone as outlined below:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615261140 or Dial (646) 828-7666. Enter the Meeting ID number 1615261140 and then press # #.
If you have an emergency, and still need remote services, have the court department reach out directly to Greenfield CSC office by email for assistance at greenfieldcsc@jud.state.ma.us.
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COMMUNITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region www.opioidtaskforce.org | |
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