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May 14, 2020
Hello Neighbors and Friends -

May is National Mental Health month. This time of quarantine and physical distancing is a true challenge to everyone's mental health - whether or not we struggle with it in "typical times." People talk about "silver linings" and gifts during this crisis. I hope one of the positive outcomes for our society will be to replace the harmful stigma associated with mental health with a genuine empathy for people who deal with mental health challenges throughout their lives.

As part of our Square One partnership with Westborough Public Schools, Westborough Youth & Family Services and Rotary Club of Westborough, we co-hosted Jon Mattleman yesterday for his virtual presentation of "Teens, Tweens and Quarantines." This came together quickly and based on the attendance (~110 people), parents and caregivers are looking for help in understanding how to best support their kids and their mental health. We will continue to promote and look at programs to bring to the community (in conjunction with our partners) that will help us all through this - whether we are parents worried about our children, children worried about our parents or humans worrying about our own selves. We welcome your input and suggestions on this - it's going to take a village to get us through. Together, we can do it!

We are excited by the initial response and submissions we have received for our Together. Apart. Always. project (see below). Please keep them coming!

Yours in community,

Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, on behalf of the Westborough Connects team
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
Together. Apart. Always. Stories of Connection and Resilience in Westborough is an inspired project of Westborough Connects to preserve the individual and collective experiences during the COVID-19 epidemic and quarantine.

For more details on this project, visit our web site HERE. Like and Follow our project Facebook page Westborough Connects Together Apart Always .

For translated materials (Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic), click HERE .

Questions? Email kathy5connects@gmail.com
Be part of this special project - Send us your photos and short written reflections!
Opportunities to Assist Others
We will continue to share updates about opportunities and efforts to serve those in need in our community. PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information in this section was included in previous newsletters but is worth repeating. To differentiate between new and previously shared information, we have included new information in GREEN.
The Westborough Senior Center is seeking donations of reusable, cloth face masks.

If you would like to donate them to the Town of Westborough for distribution to the general public, they can be dropped off at the Westborough Senior Center, 4 Rogers Road. There is a covered bin by the front door that the masks can be left in if there is no one at the Senior Center to accept them. Thank you!
There are a few groups and individuals in Westborough, including WASA ( Westborough Athletic and Social Association ), coordinating lawn cleanups for residents in need . If you are able and interested in volunteering for this effort, please email westboroughconnects@gmail.com. Please note: lawn cleanups will follow the current social distancing guidelines. This means couples or families living in the same household will work together.
  • The Westborough COVID-19 Community Fund launched last week. It has been established to assist those in Westborough who are disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. Click HERE for more information.
  • The Westborough Food Pantry continues to accept grocery card donations and monetary donations, which may be dropped off in the black box in front of the Town Hall, at the Fire Station just inside the first set of doors or sent via US Mail to: Westborough Food Pantry, PO Box 502, Westborough, MA 01581. Please note: the food pantry can obtain gift cards at a discounted rate, so monetary donations go further than gift card donations.
Opportunities for Connection
The Westborough Veteran's Advisory Board is gathering contact information for the families of Westborough military personnel. The Board wants to be ready to provide assistance, in any form needed, if and when the need arises. They are seeking families of all Active Duty members serving at a distance from the town, all Reserve/National Guard service members activated during the current crisis, and any veteran living in Westborough. Any information gathered this way will be kept confidential. Click HERE for more information or contact Westborough Veterans Service Officer, John Gallinagh (508-366-3085 or jgallinagh@centralmassvets.org). 
Keeping in mind that we seek to minimize contact and the need to sort through the materials, we would request following the guidelines outlined below:

  • Arts, Crafts & Yarn: Items can include, but are not limited to: coloring pages/books, construction paper, paints/brushes/canvases, unused craft kits/projects (i.e. as sold at Michaels, AC Moore, etc.), activity books/projects, yarn.
  • Puzzles & Games: We seek donations of new or gently used puzzles without missing pieces and games (for children and/or adults). Please do not donate puzzles with missing pieces.

Donations may be dropped off at the right-side entrance (police side) of the Forbes Municipal Building on Mondays, from 3-5pm. Volunteers from the Westborough Women’s Club will be present to assist or answer questions. 

IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • If you do not see a volunteer present to accept you donations, please do not leave them.
  • We request a label be included (if the contents are not obvious) so that people can readily see the contents of the donation.
  • Small donations of crayons, markers or other writing instruments are also welcome, placed in small bags separated from the craft supplies.
  • Please make sure the items are free from any moisture before packaging them up.
  • PLEASE donate only new or gently used items and follow the guidelines above.
Free Community Programming
FREE Mindfulness Meditation Series via Zoom
Tuesday, May 19 7:00—8:30 PM

Offered by Greg Topakian. You will have the option of just calling in on a regular phone in which case you can hear our discussion and participate in it verbally (and we can hear you) OR connecting to the meeting via your computer, laptop, or smart phone – in which case you will be able to see and hear everyone and we can all hear you if you speak (and we can see you if choose to be visible). For more information and details on registering, click HERE .
Documenting History for Future Generations
The Westborough Historical Society and the Westborough Center for History and Culture are asking residents to write their reflections/ impressions/ reactions to living in this global pandemic. Click HERE for more details and learn how to be part of this important project.
The Westborough Center for History and Culture is collecting Face Mask Selfies for the Westborough Archive. Please consider contributing a picture of yourself wearing your favorite face mask HERE . This is a fun way to record Westborough's response to Covid19 and something we can share for future generations! 
You can see what others have submitted so far by clicking HERE .
Community Spirit and Strength
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
PLEASE help us fill this section of our newsletter. Share examples of community spirit (Westborough and beyond) that you have witnessed to westboroughconnects@gmail.com. We'd love to include them for all to see.

Note: We will gladly accept photos already submitted to the Together. Apart. Always. project, as well!
A Few Worthy Reads (and something to view)
  • We found this article Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers helpful (not just for parents). Racism and stigma have no place in this battle against COVID-19. We all need the skills to help stamp them out.
  • We love to share articles about what can help us during our most difficult moments. When you Give to Others, you're helping your own well being.
  • Take some time to watch this (5m30s) video, "Self-Care as a Caregiver: Protecting Yourself from Burnout" from Psych Hub Education.
Several Helpful Resources & Quick Reference Links
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information in this section was included in previous newsletters but is worth repeating. To differentiate between new and previously shared information, we have included new information in GREEN
  • Westborough residents have free access to INTERFACE, a mental health resource and referral helpline to help children, adults and families become connected 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. 
  • Our network partners, SPARK Kindness, have pulled together a comprehensive resource site full of mental health tips and resources, including self-care podcasts, apps, etc. You can find it HERE.
  • Libraries continue to be a critical community resource. The MA state library system has expanded its offerings for free online educational and literary resources. Click HERE to view and learn more. You can also view resources and events through Westborough Public Library HERE.
  • Westborough Youth & Family Services continues to update its COVID-19 Resource List. You can find information about how to obtain assistance with food and other important services, including mental health.
  • So many businesses and organizations are providing FREE service offerings during this time of physical distancing and accessing services from home. Check out our curated list including our favorite FREE resources HERE.
  • Westborough TV continues to broadcast and make available the videos from meetings of the Board of Selectman, Board of Health, School Committee and other town committees. Click HERE to visit the Westborough TV homepage and click on Meetings on Demand. They are also replayed on Westborough TV broadcast channels (Verizon channel 28 and Charter channel 192).
  • For the most direct way to get accurate information for the Town of Westborough during this time, view official town updates HERE.
  • If you find yourself in need of emergency services but are unable to speak, you can Text to 911.
  • In addition to the Reverse 911 calling system, we also have a CodeRED alert system that you may enroll in by texting "WESTBOROUGHFIRE" to 99411. You may also want to sign up for the town's email alert system HERE. Chief Pat Purcell provides very useful town updates each Sunday via this alert system (Thank you, Chief Purcell!).
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. Westborough Connects always welcomes new members and is dedicated to connecting people to resources and each other.