May News from the Needham Community Council

MAY 2024

NEEDHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS

Storytelling is a great way to honor diverse voices in our community. The Needham Community Council is excited to announce that in partnership with the Needham Area Immigration Justice Task Force, we are hosting a Suitcase Stories Storytelling event on June 20th.

Suitcase Stories enables community members to share inspiring stories of refugee and immigrant life.

Please feel free to contact our office for more information. In the meantime, please put on your calendars.

Email Our Office

As warmer weather approaches, the food pantry will be extremely busy. With more customers seeking food support, combined with busy Spring schedules, we appreciate your help in stocking our shelves with some needed items:

Gluten-free items
Coffee & tea
Sport and nutrition drinks

Please contact the Development Office to arrange your food drive or please consider making a gift to the food pantry and help reach all those in need.

Make a gift

Council Hours

Hours at the Council

Please see below for important Council closings in the month of May. Please call the office with any questions at

(781) 444-2415.

The Council Thrift, Council Offices, and Food Pantry will be Closed:

Monday, May 6th

Saturday, May 25th

Monday, May 27th

Volunteers Needed!

Are you looking to build connections and friendships with fellow community members? Perhaps you’d like to make a tangible difference in the lives of Needham families facing food insecurity.

Look no further! Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or interested in volunteering for the first time, there's a spot for you on our dream team. More information on volunteer opportunities can be found here.

Fill Out An Interest Form Here

We are Hiring!

The Needham Community Council is currently seeking a dynamic individual to join us as the Director of Development and Public Relations to oversee all aspects of the development and public relations program for the Council.

Apply Here

By the Numbers

Spring was in the air this April with the Council brimming with energy.

Extending our Food Pantry hours to Saturdays has been instrumental in allowing us to serve 36 families.

The Spring Sale was a big success with over 1,100 items sold.

We were proud to welcome 15 new ELL tutors to ever-growing ELL Progam, and 14 students to our Financial Wellness class, taught by Adam Cole, NHS Math teacher.

The Council Thrift

Special Sales Info

Proceeds from the sale fund the many programs sponsored by the Needham Community Council.

Antiques & Collectibles Sale

Your treasure hunt awaits! The Antiques & Collectibles Sale will return from May 2 -4, 2024. Staff and volunteers have curated the best, most unusual, and favorite pieces from the past year. Come shop the Council Thrift during a May retro sale of curated antiques and collectibles upstairs at the Council Thrift.

Sale Hours:

Thursday, May 2: 10 am – 6 pm

Friday, May 3: 10 am – 4 pm

Saturday, May 4: 10 am – 2 pm

Shop! Save! Support!

Program Updates

ELL Tutor Training

Training got underway on April 11^th for 15 new volunteer tutors for the ELL program. These tutors will become one-on-one volunteers helping Needham residents and workers improve their English skills. The 4-session training program, led by a professional instructor from Jewish Vocational Services, is preparing tutors to work with the Council’s English language learners who come from diverse backgrounds but share the unified goal of wanting to improve their English.

Mindful May with Lynn Lyons

Lynn Lyons will join us to speak on: Modeling Matters: What Parents Need to Know (and Do) to Decrease Stress, Worry, and Anxiety in Kids

Lyons will share her insights and expertise about decreasing stress, worry, and anxiety in kids through modeling on May 9^th at the Broadmeadow Elementary’s School Performance Center at 7:00 pm.

Lynn Lyons is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been in private practice for 30 years specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children. She is an author/coauthor of several books and articles on anxiety. Lynn is a featured expert in the new documentary Anxious Nation and is the co-host of the popular podcast Flusterclux, and has appeared in the New York Times, Time, NPR, Psychology Today, Good Morning America, and other media outlets.

Sandra Robinson

Executive Director

Stacey Fallon

Director of Volunteers

Mindy Kalish

Development and PR Manager

Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Board

Needham Community Council

570 Hillside Avenue

Needham, MA 02494

781-444-2415

office@needhamcouncil.org

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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.