April 2024 Newsletter

Valley Friendship Tour, June 1st

Last day to register early for raffle!

We are a little over a month away from Valley Friendship Tour on June 1st. You can help someone live a more fulfilling life! Walk, jog, or ride throughout the Blackstone Valley to raise money for Open Sky's programs.

Have you registered yet? Register early by TODAY, Tuesday, April 30th to be automatically entered for a raffle!

• 2 winners - 4 tickets to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (your choice of date)
• 10 winners - Open Sky bucket hat

Top fundraisers will also be eligible for exclusive VFT incentives. The more you raise by June 30th, the more prizes you get!

• Raise at least $100 and win a V‌FT baseball cap.
• Raise at least $250 and win a VFT baseball cap AND beach towel.
• Raise at least $500 and win a VFT baseball cap, beach towel, AND vest.

This weekend! It's not too late to join us for Family Fun Fishing Day on Saturday.

May is Mental Health Month

Yellow Tulip Hope Gardens are Blooming!

Five Yellow Tulip Hope Gardens, planted throughout the City of Worcester by the Mayor's Mental Health Task Force to raise awareness and end the stigma around mental health and substance use challenges, are blooming.

The Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force, also known as the Green Ribbon Committee, planted thousands of yellow tulip bulbs last fall at City Hall, police headquarters, the HeartWell Institute, the Senior Center, and Open Sky’s offices at 4 Mann St. It is the fifth year in a row Open Sky has planted Hope Gardens around Central Massachusetts. There are also Yellow Tulip Hope Gardens in Southbridge, Gardner, and at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill in Whitinsville. ValleyCAST will be hosting an annual Hope Day Celebration at the Mill on May 1.

“These gardens of bright yellow tulips are meant to symbolize hope and possibility,” said Kelley Gamble, Vice President of Community Engagement for Open Sky. “The flowers are vibrant and resilient even through the dreariest days.”

The Hope Gardens are part of a national campaign by the Yellow Tulip Project, a Maine-based, youth-driven nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention, reducing the stigma around mental health, community building and, “helping people know that there is help and hope out there, one yellow tulip at a time.”

Upcoming Mental Health Month Community Events

ValleyCAST Annual Hope Day Celebration, May 1st

ValleyCAST's Hope Day Celebration will take place on Wednesday, May 1 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at Alternatives' Whitin Mill on the Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza.

There will be live music by The Blackstone Valley Quartet, poetry, speeches, recovery stories, a guided meditation, wellness offerings, art making, and a chance to admire our yellow tulip Hope Garden in full bloom! If it rains the celebration will move indoors to the Singh Performance Center at the same location. 

This event is free! We encourage you to bring your friends and family to join the celebration!

Mayor's Mental Health Task Force Event, May 14th

On behalf of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Health and Human Services Commissioner Dr. Mattie Castiel, you are invited to attend an event organized by the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force on Tuesday, May 14th starting at 4pm at Worcester City Hall!

This event is in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, and will feature community resource tables, activities, networking, panelists and guest speakers including community members with lived experience, DMH Commissioner Brooke Doyle, Senator Robyn Kennedy, Safe Homes, the Gender Wellness Initiative, and Worcester RISE for Health.

Mental Health Awareness Picnic in the Park, May 23rd

Monument Park, Gardner, MA

Enjoy a picnic at the park to spread mental health awareness and learn about services from local mental health organizations. The event is free to attend.

Picnic lunches are available to purchase for $3 which includes a wrap, chips, and a drink.

All proceeds will support Crystal House Clubhouse, a community dedicated to the rehabilitation of adults recovering from mental illness.

• Info tables
• Live music by Sean Fullerton
• Food
• Ice cream truck (12:30-1:30pm)
• Activities
• & More!

Close to $170,000 raised for Safe Homes Gala

On April 12th, Safe Homes hosted the 2024 Safe Homes Gala and People of Courage Awards at the AC Hotel by Marriott Worcester. People of Courage Awardees were recognized for their leadership and contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community.

There were 360+ attendees and together raised close to $170,000 through the Fund-A-Need, online silent auction, ticket sales, and sponsorships.

All proceeds from the event will support Safe Homes programming such as:

• Free one-on-one mental health counseling
• Community outings and adventures
• Hot meals for drop-in days
• Transgender Resource Center
• Workshops with community partners
• Restocking the food pantry

What's Going On at Open Sky?