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Dear Friends,
Fall always brings fresh energy and activity to the Council. Our English Language Learning classes are back in session (tutor training starts this evening), Tech & Tutors is buzzing (Tech Talks start today), and our Dementia Care Partners Support program is gearing up for new trainings and another welcoming Memory Café.
Tonight Mindful Community is kicking off its fall season with Strategies and Solutions for Social Anxiety in Tweens and Teens with ADHD — use this link for details.
As our programs grow, so does the need for our services. Food pantry visits are rising (12% compared to last September) as families feel the impact of recent SNAP cuts, and Council Care Rides are at an all-time high as more residents rely on us for transportation.
Through it all, we’re reminded of what’s possible when our community comes together. The support of donors, volunteers, and partners keeps our programs running strong and ensures that help is always here when it’s needed. If you’d like to be part of that impact, consider a fall gift to the Council — it truly helps strengthen our community. We are also in need of Saturday volunteers. Please fill out this form if you are interested.
With gratitude,
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Community Partnerships
The Council receives so much support from community members each month. We’re always inspired by the many ways individuals and local organizations find to give back.
Some recent examples include:
✨ Jayden chose the Council for his Mitzvah project, generously collecting food and financial donations from his family and friends.
🕍 Temple Beth Shalom gathered food from their community as part of their High Holidays observance, donating hundreds of pounds of food to our food pantry.
🏘️ Junction Village neighbors held a block party and collected financial donations for the Council.
🎒 Eric, a Needham High School student, is earning his community service hours by organizing a series of neighborhood food drives to benefit the pantry.
| | | | Dementia Care Partners Support | | | |
Dementia Friends Informational Session
Attend this free, one-hour session to learn more about dementia and how to better support those living with it. Open to the public. Please RSVP to Stephanie Knoch at sknoch@needhamcouncil.org.
Wednesday, October 22, 2:30 PM, Needham Public Library
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Council's Memory Cafe
Join us for our second Memory Café featuring conversation, light refreshments, and joyful movement to music led by facilitator Donna Newman-Bluestein. Registration is requested but not required — all are welcome! Email sknoch@needhamcouncil.org with any questions.
Tuesday, October 28, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, Needham Public Library
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Become an ELL Tutor!
Tutors Needed!
Fall is a busy time in our English Language Learning (ELL) Program. New students are joining to practice and improve their English. To help them, we’re looking for volunteers to become ELL tutors. Join our New Tutor Training on Wednesdays, October 8, 15, and 22 (3 sessions), from 6:30–8:00 pm at the Council.
An experienced JVS (Jewish Vocation services) ELL teacher leads the training. Come join the ELL team and open doors for someone in the Needham community who wants to speak English! To register for the training, please email ELL Program Manager Sheila Roberts at sroberts@needhamcouncil.org.
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🌍Where in the World?
Curious about where ELLs in Needham are from? This year our fall 2025 Beginner Class students are from Albania, Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, Haiti, Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. They are an impressive group with perfect class attendance to date!
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📌Tonight: October 8
Strategies and Solutions for Social Anxiety in Tweens and Teens with ADHD
Join us on TONIGHT, Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 pm for a special presentation with Dr. Sharon Saline, a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, emerging adults, and parents. Dr. Saline will share practical tools to address social anxiety and strengthen executive functioning, emotional regulation, learning, and behavior—helping young people feel more confident, capable, and connected.
See flyer here.
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The Council is Proud to be a Co-Sponsor of the Screening of Shattered Ice.
To spark and normalize the conversation around mental health & suicide, the Needham Community Council is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Dedham screening of Shattered Ice, Nehoiden Black Bears: Mental Health & Athlete Social Impact Series on October 20th.
At this time the event is sold out. Please subscribe to the newsletter to be notified of ticket sales and future viewings at officialshatteredicethemovie.com. You have to go to the bottom right section of the website to enter email addresses for the newsletter.
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Tablet Classes Starting 10/14
The Tech & Tutor program’s technology classes are designed to help you get the most out of your devices. New this fall, we’ll be offering hands-on sessions focused on Fire Tablets and iPads. Whether you’re just getting started or want to strengthen your skills, these classes are designed for learners who want to master the basics of using their tablet.
To sign up - call the CATH - 781-455-7555 or sign up on MyActiveCenter.com.
To see enlarged class schedule, click here.
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🍂💻 The Tech Teens Are Back!
This fall we are combining the Tech Talks and Support Sessions and offering them two days every other week. Bring your questions along with your phone, laptop and/or tablet, and the Tech Teens will help you.
📌Today, Wed., October 8 & Fri., October 10
Internet Basics and Open Tech Support Session.
Wed., October 22 & Fri., October 24
“Apps” – finding and downloading
How to find and download Apps (applications) followed by a support session.
Location: CATH, 300 Hillside Avenue, Room 207; 3:15pm-4:15pm
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Tech Assistance Available
Tech assistance is available at the CATH (Tuesdays & Thursdays) and the Needham Housing Authority (Wednesdays).
Use this link to check website for dates and times.
If you need assistance with your phone, email, iPad, tablet, or computer and can’t attend a session at the CATH or Needham Housing Authority, please contact Karen Zarrow, Tech & Tutors Program Manager, to schedule a 20-minute one-on-one help session at the Council. Call 781-444-2415 x2020 or email kzarrow@needhamcouncil.org.
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Annual Coat Sale
Oct. 16, 17 and 18
Sure it’s sunny and 70 now but we hardy New Englanders know that sweatah weathah is just around the corner!
The Annual Coat Sale is almost here!
If you are cleaning out your coat closets, please consider donating to the Council. Then come check out our annual coat sale and stock up between October 16 – 18. Buy your Fall and Winter wear at Thrift Store prices. There will be a great selection of sweaters, jackets, coats, scarves, hats, gloves etc.
Sale Hours:
Thursday, October 16: 10am – 6pm
Friday, October 17: 10am – 4pm
Saturday, October 18 10am – 2pm
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Monthly Volunteer Spotlight
Jeff/Cans for Calcium
Did you know the fresh milk and dairy we distribute at the Food Pantry is made possible by the Cans for Calcium program? Jeff and his crew collect returnable bottles and cans, using the proceeds to purchase all the milk for our pantry families.
We’re thrilled to share that Cans for Calcium has reached an incredible milestone—4 million redeemable cans and bottles collected, providing $200,000 worth of milk! Congratulations to Jeff and the whole team for this amazing community impact.
Check out the WCVB recent news coverage celebrating this milestone.
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Saturday Volunteers Needed!
We are seeking High School Student and Adult volunteers to join us on Saturdays. Whether you’re available every Saturday or 2 Saturdays a month, your time makes a real impact. We have needs in the Council Thrift and Food Pantry. Interested? Please complete the form below.
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Enlarge PDF
This is a free event, but reservations are required. Reserve here.
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Domestic Violence Action Committee
The Needham Domestic Violence Action Committee (DVAC) has been hard at work creating Through My Eyes: A Survivor’s Journey Through Domestic Abuse — a new 5-part video series exploring the realities of domestic violence. The project features a courageous survivor who shares her story in meaningful conversations with experts in the field, offering insight, hope, and education for our community.
Join DVAC for a special evening at Hearth Pizzeria, featuring dinner and the premiere of Episode 1: Domestic Violence 101. Monday, October 27, 6 PM-8:30 PM, Hearth Pizzeria
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Wingate Living: Affordable Housing
An affordable housing program will soon be available at One Wingate Way East. To express your interest and be added to the lottery list please contact info@sebhousing.com
Monthly Rates: One Bedroom - $2,646; Two Bedroom - $2,978
More information can be found here.
| | | | Important Dates and Hours | | | |
Council Thrift & Donation
Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
Closed Wednesday & Sunday
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Office
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
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Please Plan Accordingly for Holiday Closures in October
- The Council Offices, Food Pantry, and Council Thrift will be closed on Saturday, October 11 and Monday, October 13 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
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Needham Community Council
570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
781-444-2415
office@needhamcouncil.org
Connect with us
| | The Needham Community Council is a private 501(C)3 non-profit organization which supports people in Needham who have under-met health, educational or social needs, and promotes volunteerism, community and a sense of shared responsibility. | | | | |
