January Newsletter

The Charlestown Coalition News:

Issue 77

January 2023

Trauma and Grief Resources

We at the Coalition wanted to share some helpful tips and resources to use when you are working through trauma and loss. As always, the Trauma Response Team is here to support the community.

Year in Review

Our annual impact report for FYI 21-22 is now complete and live on our website. You can click on the image to view the full report. Thank you to the Evaluation Team at MGH for their work and support on capturing our work!

Upcoming Training Opportunity

The Charlestown Trauma Response Team is having the Boston Public Health Commission come and hold an Overdose Prevention Training next week on February 8th from 6-9pm. This will be the first of many trainings this year, and is open to the public at no cost.

Group with Charlestown Adult Education

The FSC program facilitates weekly wellness groups with the staff and interns at the Charlestown Adult Education program. Our focus is to encourage staff to take care of themselves and learn strategies to combat stress while promoting a healthy lifestyle. During the holiday season we discussed the topic of loss and group members were able to process their thoughts and feelings by participating in an art project. The month-long project allowed group members to paint three layers of symbols, letters, dates and designs that had significant meaning within their lives. The project represented another form of wellness and a way for the interns to express themselves without having to say anything. The process itself was powerful and resulted in a beautiful painting and expression of our group.

Left to right

(Michael Cuevas, Josh Day, Jason Manning, Alexio Pierce, Nathan Pan, Jacob Day (not in the picture) Phenice Zawatsky and Dareen Ali)

Steering Committee Meetings

We held our first Steering Committee Meeting of 2023.

We are looking forward to a great year of collaboration.

Race Dialogues

Join us on Tuesday, February 21st 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 indoors until further notice at 10 Green Street.

This forum is being co-sponsored by the Charlestown Coalition, Turn It Around Youth Program, Councilor Gigi Coletta and her team.

Kennedy Center is Hiring!

Job Posting in the Community

Our community partner The John F. Kennedy Family Service Center is hiring for a Bi-Lingual Food Security Coordinator!

Currently, there are hundreds of individuals in the Charlestown community who need help finding affordable, healthy food. The Bi-lingual Food Security Coordinator will play a role in bringing positive change to our community. This is a full-time, exempt position working closely with the Director of Community Services to increase emergency food access and the availability of healthy food among low-income Charlestown residents. Click the document for more information!

Survey From Boston Public Health Commission on Youth Substance Use

The Boston Public Health Commission’s (BPHC) Office of Recovery Services (ORS) and Amaka Consulting and Evaluation Services (ACES) would like to invite you to participate in an online survey as we conduct research around youth substance misuse in Boston, MA. In our research, when “substance misuse” is used, we are referring to the misuse/excessive use of cannabis, vape pens, psychedelics like LSD, acid and shrooms, nicotine/tobacco, alcohol and prescribed medication. We value your perspective and voice and believe you would add great value to our research. The first 150 participants in the survey will also receive a $10 Amazon gift card for their time! This project is specifically for those who live and work in Boston, MA. If you would like to participate in the survey please click the link here:

Voices of Recovery

This month, we are honored to highlight Jason Manning of Charlestown Adult Education. Thanks for sharing your story, Jason!

CALL FOR VOICES OF RECOVERY!

Do you know someone in recovery that has ties to the Charlestown community and would be willing to share their story? Every month, the Coalition highlights someone in their newsletter for Voices Of Recovery. We are always looking for more stories to share!

Email Ciara by clicking HERE for the interview questions & to send your photo!