If you have received this email as a forward and wish to subscribe to the Westborough Connects mailing list, please click HERE. For previous newsletters, click HERE.
|
|
Hello Neighbors and Friends -
We hope to see some of you at Westborough Public Library for our first Connect Over Coffee in 2022. With an informal, drop-in format, we are excited for this opportunity to bring people together and be in each other's company. Please stop by before heading over to the Annual Town Meeting (beginning at 9am at Westborough High School). If you are interested in learning more about Westborough Connects, we will have information available, as well. More details below.
We have several programs and events to share with you this month. Please read on to learn all about them. I also encourage each of you in Westborough to attend Annual Town Meeting. While recognizing that Saturdays are often packed with activities, this is your chance to listen to and have a say (if you are a registered voter) in the budget and other important decisions being made at the town government level.
Finally, I want to send out my thoughts and support to our community members who have loved ones in Ukraine. Watching this war from afar is so upsetting and there is no clear end in sight right now. For those of you who are wondering how you can help the people of Ukraine, we have included a resource (NPR) where you will be able to see opportunities for support. Back here at home, if you know someone or a business in town with roots in Ukraine, reach out to them and let them know you are concerned and support them.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
|
|
Now Hiring: Volunteer Engagement Coordinator |
|
Westborough Connects is currently accepting applications for a new part-time staff position: Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. This 10-13 hours per week staff role reflects Westborough Connects’ position as a volunteer-driven organization and a focus on ensuring sustainability of its mission-driven work. The Volunteer Engagement Coordinator will be tasked with the identification, training, cultivation and management of volunteers. Learn more, including how to apply HERE. The deadline for applications is March 18th.
|
|
Join us for Connect Over Coffee
(and fuel up before Westborough's Annual Town Meeting)
|
|
NOTE: See below for more information about Annual Town Meeting. |
|
March 22nd, 7pm
Virtual Program via Zoom
Square One, in partnership with SPARK Kindness, presents this virtual panel presentation for parents/caregivers of children and teens and community members. This program will focus on recognizing warning signs of eating disorder behaviors in our children and teens as well as how to approach accessing help for those in need. Practitioners will also offer prevention strategies and educate participants about how to address concern for loved ones who may be struggling with an eating disorder. All are welcome for this collaborative presentation. ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be provided at this event.
|
|
This program is made possible, in part, through grant funding awarded to
Westborough Connects by Reliant Foundation.
|
|
 |
May 1-7, 2022
As part of the national Screen-Free Week, organized by the nonprofit Fairplay, Westborough Connects is excited for the 4th annual Westborough Unplugs - an all ages initiative. Westborough Unplugs celebrates community resources and offerings that do not require screens to access, while promoting a healthy balance of screen use in our lives. Community-wide activities will include:
~WCLT-guided May Day All-Ages Nature Walk~
~Bookin' It to Bay State~
~Unplug and Explore @ Nourse Farm~
Take the Screen-Free Week pledge HERE and join thousands of people around the world who will unplug their entertainment devices in favor of real connection and play....When you take the pledge, you’ll receive tips, ideas, and inspiration leading up to Screen-Free Week.
|
|
|
|
Community Programs and Events |
|
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.
|
|
Westborough Resident Kate Donaghue hosts:
The Brian Donaghue Simpson
4th Anniversary Roundtable Discussion (Virtual)
Saturday, March 12th, 10:30-11:30am
On the fourth anniversary of her son's death due to an overdose, Kate Donaghue will be hosting a virtual roundtable discussion. Brian Donaghue Simpson died on March 12, 2018. Since that time she has led events at the State House to advocate for more treatment for those who are struggling with substance use disorder. This year, the event will focus on some of the challenges facing young people who are impacted by substance use disorder. Please RSVP to attend the event. The link for joining will be emailed to participants in advance."
Roundtable participants include:
-
Lina Abdalla - is a person in long term recovery from drugs and alcohol since August of 2014. She will be sharing her story of addiction struggles and recovery. An important part of her journey includes recovery court and collegiate recovery (college recovery)
-
Cathy Miles - founder of Framingham Force, a group of local Framingham advocates and community members focused on increasing awareness, prevention and compassion surrounding the opioid epidemic.
-
Connor Schoen - as Chairman of the Governor's Statewide Youth Council in 2016, Connor helped pass an opioid addiction prevention bill that institutionalized SBIRT screenings across the Commonwealth. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) focuses on prevention, early detection, risk assessment, brief counseling and referral for assessment that can be utilized in the school setting (specifically in middle and high schools statewide). Six years later, Connor is working to address other root causes of substance use disorders by breaking the cycle of young adult homelessness through his work at Breaktime.
|
|
|
|
Visit Westborough Public Library for a new art exhibit: Connections - honoring the power of connection. Opening night was March 9, and the exhibit features the works of WHS Artists from Digital Photography, 3D Art and Drawing. This is made possible with the collaboration of Westborough Public Library and the Westborough High School Chapter of National Art Honor Society.
|
|
Westborough Community Land Trust presents:
Snakes of New England and the World
Saturday, March 26th
2 shows: 9am and 11am
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, 17 Willow Street, Westborough
Bring the family and join us for our always-popular spring free live animal show! Meet some fascinating harmless reptiles you may find while out walking in Westborough, as well as some impressive specimens from around the world. Learn to identify, respect, and protect these fragile creatures. You will be allowed to touch the animals—this show is always a big hit with the young and the curious of all ages! Presented by Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team.
No reservation required. Plan to arrive early as seating is limited
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Also supported in part by the Westborough Newcomers Club.
|
|
All are welcome to attend this fun event, which is also a Westborough Lions Club fundraiser to support the organization's scholarships to Westborough high school-aged students. For more information on the Westborough Lions Club, including how to purchase a duck and everything else you need to know about the derby, click HERE.
|
|
For more information about this FREE all ages community event, visit the Sustainable Westborough website HERE.
|
|
Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, and Helping Others & the Environment |
|
Annual Town Meeting
Saturday, March 19th, 9am
Westborough High School, 90 W. Main Street
This is an opportunity for registered voters in town to decide matters related to town spending and governance. HERE is a link to the draft town warrant for the meeting (the list of 32 articles to be voted upon). Drop into the library and grab a cup of coffee first at our Connect Over Coffee, happening from 7:30-8:45.
|
|
Earth Day Town-Wide Cleanup &
Cleanup Volunteers’ Picnic
Advanced signup required
Join the annual town-wide litter clean-up sponsored by WCLT (Westborough Community Land Trust), and enjoy a drop-in Earth Day Volunteers’ picnic lunch afterwards! Come on your own, or rally your family, co-workers, or neighbors and form a team to beautify our town!
|
-
Families and individuals go HERE between April 1st-8th to sign up and choose an area to clean. For larger groups, please email earthday@westboroughlandtrust.org by March 15th to sign up.
- Clean your chosen area any day or time between April 9th and noon on April 16th.
- Join fellow volunteers from 11:30-12:30 on April 16th at Bay State Commons for an appreciation picnic of pizza with all the sides!
|
|
Exciting volunteer opportunity for adult music lovers of all ages! |
|
Click HERE to sign up for this volunteer opportunity from the Westborough Fine Arts Education Association.
|
|
-
The Westborough Historical Society recently presented a program on "Worcester's Role in the American Revolution." You can watch the program recording HERE.
-
The Town of Westborough has offered some statements on the war in Ukraine: Westborough Youth & Family Services HERE and the Westborough Select Board HERE. You may have also noticed that the Town Hall clock is lit up in blue and yellow, to show solidarity with the Ukrainian community.
|
|
Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
|
-
We enjoyed this article from one of our favorite resources, Greater Good Science Center: "Can Purpose Help Us in Hard Times" which offers perspectives from well-being researchers on "the benefits of purpose in a crisis and how we can cultivate it at home and at work."
-
We've heard from a few community members that people want to know how they can support the people of Ukraine right now. HERE is an NPR article highlighting some organizations providing assistance.
-
Community Wellness Guide from WYFS and WPS HERE. This month's guide is focused on protecting youth mental health, the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory.
-
INTERFACE has resumed its mental health referral services, connecting children, adults and families with mental health and wellness resources. Call 1-888-244-6843 Monday-Friday between 9 am and 5 pm to consult with a mental health professional about resources and/or receive personalized, matched referrals. For more information about INTERFACE, click HERE.
-
Westborough Recreation has released its 2022 Spring/Summer Program Guide. It highlights several free community events as well as its fee-based programs for all ages. Check it out HERE.
|
|
"The best of community does give one a deep sense of belonging and well-being; and in that sense community takes away loneliness."
-Henri Nouwen
|
|
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.
|
|
2022 Westborough Connects Grant Sponsor |
|
westboroughconnects@gmail.com l www.westboroughconnects.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
