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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
This newsletter is focused on spotlighting the strength, resources and kindness of our community while sharing opportunities to enjoy each other's company, learn and serve together, and build connection. At the same time, so much has happened in the past few weeks - here and throughout the country - that we must acknowledge the weight this brings to the hearts of each of us. The rapid pace of today's news and exposure to divisive chatter on social media challenges our sense of goodness in the world and our common humanity. It's difficult to process one thing before the next thing comes along. However, taking time to process and for things that bring positivity to our lives is so important. I hope you can take some time with this newsletter - it's chuck full of goodness happening all around us. While it won't undo Buffalo or Uvalde, the Russian war in Ukraine or any of the seemingly constant horrific news we hear, it may be a resource to make you feel a bit better about the community you are a part of.
It's Pride Month! A time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. This year, it feels as important as ever for allies to rally around our friends, family members, colleagues and neighbors. As a subscriber to this newsletter, you know inclusion is core to our mission of working in community to ensure Westborough is a place where everybody belongs. In honor of Pride Month, keep reading below to find some great upcoming events to attend and resources.
This month, we also celebrate Juneteenth (June 19th), which officially became a federal holiday on June 19, 2021. This will mark the second year (after 156 years!) of officially including this day among the defining moments and observances in our country.
Please take care of yourself and each other.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
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Tickets are $30 (deadline to purchase is Sunday, June 12th). Thanks to the generosity of Tavolino Westborough, each ticket includes a free glass of wine, a beer, soda or non-alcoholic beverage, and complimentary appetizers.
The evening includes a raffle with fantastic prizes! Join us for this for this open house-style social with no formal agenda other than to celebrate 5 years of Westborough Connects! Drop in for a little while or stay the whole time. We look forward to seeing you.
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Community Support for Westborough Connects |
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Thank you to Ocean State Job Lot in Westborough for generously donating a $200 gift card. Your generosity will help us buy needed supplies for upcoming programs and initiatives.
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Thank you to ICL Imaging for their support and assistance with the purchase and customization of our very own pop-up tent for Westborough Connects. We can't wait to use it at the many community events happening this summer and beyond!
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It's Official! Westborough Connects adds Volunteer Engagement Coordinator |
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We are pleased to announce that Cheryl Thomas has joined Westborough Connects as our new Volunteer Engagement Coordinator.
Cheryl has been a long-time Westborough Connects volunteer, participating in our Square One Collaboration which works with several community partners to bring mental and behavioral health programming to the community. Volunteers are mission critical to Westborough Connects and we are thrilled to have Cheryl on board. Read Cheryl's bio HERE.
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We are always looking for volunteers. Current needs include:
- Program support: greeting attendees, set-up/clean-up, hanging flyers, etc.
- Fundraising
- Marketing
- Graphic Design
Interested? Reach out to Cheryl Thomas at cherylconnects2@gmail.com
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Do YOU want to know...
...The signs & symptoms of mental health distress?
...How to support others?
...What resources are available in Westborough & beyond?
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Questions? Want more information?
Call/email Cara Presley:
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Reach Out Westborough is presented by Westborough Youth & Family Services, in collaboration with Westborough Connects. This program is made possible by a grant from MetroWest Health Foundation.
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1-4pm
Westborough High School
90 W. Main Street
Through a community clubs and organizations expo, a variety of mini courses, and "funtivities," Westborough for Life! will celebrate all the ways to connect and live well in Westborough. Our goal is to showcase Westborough's organizations and clubs, civic opportunities and recreational choices while also providing a variety of adult learning opportunities. We aim to connect community members to each other, to the vast possibilities in town, and to resources in the community. Westborough For Life! is sponsored, in part, by Westborough Civic Club and Westborough Women's Club.
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Community Programs and Events |
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PLEASE NOTE: A goal of this newsletter is to highlight free, community-focused events that are open to all and bring us together. We do our best to keep up with all the great things going on around town, but we need your help! Please reach out and let us know about any events that would be important to include! Email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com. Thank you.
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Owls of New England
hosted by: Westborough Community Land Trust
Monday, June 13th, 7-9pm
St. Luke's Parish Hall
1 Ruggles Street, Westborough
In this captivating presentation, wildlife photographer Peter Christoph delivers stunning photographs of his favorite owls, combined with stories that entertain, educate and inspire. You’ll learn the secrets Peter uses to find and photograph these owls in their natural habitat! Peter will present exceptional images of local Great Horned, Barred, Eastern Screech, Long-eared, Short-eared, Snowy, Northern Saw-whet, and Barn owls. He’ll wrap up this wildlife program with beautiful images of a rare visitor called the Great Gray Owl. Annual Meeting to follow.
Free and open to the public. Visitors are welcome to leave before the annual business meeting. Masks will be required for this indoor event.
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Read the press release about this special event HERE.
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They have invite Westborough to join!
(surrounding communities, too!)
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The Hopkinton Freedom Team in partnership with Hopkinton Youth Commission and Hopkinton Youth and Family Services are hosting the 2nd Annual Pride Parade. Learn more HERE.
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The last day of school is a time to celebrate and the Westborough Public Library, Westborough Rec Department and Westborough Youth and Family Services want to help students start the summer off right. There will be pizza, ice cream, cotton candy and lots of free goodies for all students celebrating their last day of school. If the weather is nice, the event will be on the library lawn. Bad weather? No worries, we'll move the party inside the library. |
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No registration is required- just show up when school gets out. |
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The Westborough Farmer's Market is BACK beginning June 23rd.
Happening every Thursday through September
from 2-6pm
NEW LOCATION:
Congregation B'nai Shalom
117 East Main Street
For more information, you can visit them on Facebook HERE.
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WCLT 25-mile Trail Challenge
ongoing, 2022
Join the WCLT 25- Mile Trail Challenge!
Help the Westborough Community Land Trust celebrate its 25th anniversary by hiking 25 of the 60+ miles of Westborough trails during 2022.
Keep track of your mileage and when you reach 25 miles, email your contact info to 25miles@westboroughlandtrust.org so we can add you to our list of 25-milers and send you a cool commemorative patch.
For more information, visit HERE.
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Upcoming SPARK Kindness Program - YOU are invited! |
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June 11th, 2-3pm
Morse Institute Library
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Join this special event featuring award winning author Rajani LaRocca reading her new book about a girl in America and her grandmother in India, whose love stretches between languages and cultures—and across the world. |
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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Town of Westborough Planning Board Vacancy
Due to a resignation, there is currently a vacancy on the Planning Board. According to Massachusetts General Law, the Select Board in conjunction with the remaining members of the Planning Board are charged with appointing a replacement to fill the vacancy until the next Town election, which will be March 2023. Candidates must submit a letter of interest and resume to the Select Board/Town Manager’s Office by June 17, 2022. This is a good opportunity to serve the town in a short-term capacity with an opportunity to pursue the position longer term at the 2023 election. More information can be found HERE.
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Have some time to spare? Interested in making a positive impact in someone's life? The Westborough Senior Center is always looking for volunteers to fulfill a variety of roles. Call the Volunteer Coordinator, MaryEllen Cibelli at 508-366-3000. |
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Westborough High School class of 2022 graduated on June 4th. Between a morning car parade through town, a graduation ceremony in the afternoon and an all-night safe space for celebration, the community went all out to congratulate them and wish them well. Thanks to the Westborough Spirit Committee, Project Graduation and Westborough Public Schools and the families for making it all possible. Videos courtesy of Westborough TV.
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After a 2-year gap due to COVID-19, the parade and other Memorial Day traditions returned to Westborough, sponsored by Veterans Services Department and the Westborough Veterans Advisory Board. Westborough TV captured the services and ceremony for all to watch HERE. Also, below are photos from a special ceremony which took place at Mill Pond School in Westborough.
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On May 26th, Westborough Connects and Realtor Stephanie Stuchlik brought the Turquoise Table to the Westborough Village neighborhood to meet new people and talk about our vision for slowing down and building community connection. If you're interested in learning more about hosting a Turquoise Table event in your neighborhood, please email westboroughconnects@gmail.com. It's a wonderful way to step out of our homes and meet our neighbors.
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Photos courtesy of John Gallignah |
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Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
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Statistics show LGBTQ+ youth are at significant risk of poor mental health and suicide. Making resources, counseling and support available to them is critical. Looking for resources?
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HERE are some local youth programs from OUT Metrowest.
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With a vision for a world where all LGBTQ young people see a bright future for themselves, The Trevor Project offers crisis intervention, mental health services as well as comprehensive resources to support LGBTQ young people. You can learn more about them HERE.
- The Town of Westborough has contracted with INTERFACE, which provides a free counselor matching service. Call 1-888-244-6843, Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM. This free service matches Westborough residents with outpatient mental health services.
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In honor of Juneteenth 2021, Westborough Connects dedicated an issue of our 2021 monthly Racial Justice Toolkit to the holiday. Read it HERE.
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"We are the richer for our difference and poorer for our division...Through genuine debate and dialogue, through rebuilding trust in information and one another, through empathy — let us reclaim the space in between. After all, there are some things in life that make the world feel small and connected, let kindness be one of them."
-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
(remarks given in her speech to Harvard University's 2022 graduating class
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About Westborough Connects
Westborough Connects is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472) focused on building a more connected and kind community where everybody feels like they belong. Often in partnership with others, Westborough Connects creates opportunities to support and celebrate the diversity, spirit, and character of Westborough through programs and events that are community-based, strengths-based and dedicated to connecting people to resources and each other.
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2022 Westborough Connects Grant Sponsor |
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westboroughconnects@gmail.com l www.westboroughconnects.org |
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