The Charlestown Coalition News:

Issue 90

February 2024

Welcome to the Charlestown Coalition's Monthly Newsletter!

We are a community-based organization here to support the neighborhood of Charlestown by connecting our neighbors to services, building relationships, and providing fun and safe spaces for community members to connect.

In our newsletters, you'll find event flyers, recaps on what we do on the day-to-day, resources, information on our youth programming, and more. Thanks for following along!

Thank you, Julia!

The Charlestown Coalition would like to wish Julia a heartfelt farewell. Julia, one of the Family Support Circle interns has been a light of joy since her first day on the job. Julia became an instant favorite amongst the Charlestown community through her infectious laugh, dedication, and service to the residents in the community. During her time with the FSC program, Julia provided counseling, and case management services, and co-facilitated a wellness group for students at the Warren Prescott Elementary School, and the Charlestown Adult Education Center. We want to thank Julia for her commitment to her clients, the community, and the Charlestown Coalition.

Turn It Around - February Newsletter

Charlestown in Solidarity:

Race and Equity Community Dialogue

This past month's Race Dialogue was special. We had quite a few people show up for their first time with us, and it only added to the rich conversation. This month's topic focused on "Wokeness", and asked each person on what their "take" was on the term. The answers were as diverse as the participants and equally as eloquent. It's always so wonderful that it's palpable when you feel this much positive energy in one room!! If you haven't experienced it for yourself, what are you waiting for??? Not only are you missing out, but we're missing out on YOU!! Hope to see you at our next Race Dialogue.

Charlestown Trauma Response Team:

The Charlestown Trauma Response team meets monthly with our clinical consultant to determine how they can best support the community as well as care for themselves.

We are in the process of finalizing the details for a series of Overdose Prevention trainings that will happen during the Spring and Summer of 2024.

This month our team connected over food and showed each other some love by writing gratitude letters. This is a tradition we have done for the past few years during February, which allows us time to take a break from our work and appreciate each other!

If you are interested in learning more, please go to our website. Trauma Response Team– Charlestown Coalition

Mid Year Check in with Road to Success:

Coalition MSW Intern Rachel Harris continues to hold bi-weekly sessions with RTS students to explore a variety of topics such as marijuana, nicotine's effects on the brain, how to be intentional about the choices we make, and exploring different coping skills that can be implemented in high-stress situations.

MSW Intern Emma Cook will be holding a group for three sessions that will explore different ways to understand our thinking and circumstances. These are models that are frequently used in therapeutic spaces, schools, and among individuals to process emotions and address/change thinking patterns. Emma's group will be starting Monday, March 5th, held on the alternating weeks of Rachel's facilitation.

Both groups will end on Tuesday, April 23rd for a combined celebration to thank the students for their commitment.

If you have any questions or feedback about the Road to Success sessions, please email Mel Soto, Community Resource Specialist, at msoto0@mgh.harvard.edu.

Community Partner Spotlight:

A Special Thanks to Kelly Washburn

Coalition Director Phenice Zawatsky and Resource Specialist Mel Soto attended a celebration at the Assembly Row office in honor of Kelly Washburn, Director of Evaluations for Mass General's Community Health Department. After seven and a half years, Kelly will be transitioning to a new position at MassHire Metro North Workforce Board as their Sr. Director of Strategy and Impact.

Kelly and her team are the brains behind our evaluative reports and those who capture our data and illustrate it to be shared with the public. We are grateful to have a group of people who are intentional about this process and how it impacts the Charlestown community.

Thank you, Kelly!

FSC Resource E-blast

The FSC e-blast will go out on the 15^th of each month. If you would like to add your program's flyers to the next e-blast, please send a PDF version of the flyer by the 12^th of each month to MSOTO0@mgh.harvard.edu