"The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has announced $114,000 in grants to community groups working with youth and families and supporting people in recovery, as part of its Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program.
Funds for the grants come from asset forfeitures through which the office redistributes funds seized in drug-related cases. The money is given to community organizations working on drug rehabilitation, drug education and other anti-drug programs that aim to foster healthy communities and support law enforcement efforts to prevent crime.
“There are so many ways to build resilience in our communities even during trying times,” Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said in a statement.
The top awards of $20,000 each went to the North Quabbin Recovery Center in Athol and the Recovery Center of Hope in Ware, serving the Quaboag Hills region.
“We wanted to give an extra boost to the newer peer recovery centers in the region, which are not yet fully funded by the state as are The RECOVER Project in Greenfield and the Northampton Recovery Center, ” Sullivan said. “We know from experience that peer-focused recovery centers provide essential support to help people in recovery continue on that journey.” (Photo: Courtesy of the Greenfield Recorder)
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Keith Rollins has dabbled in art for 20 years and once worked as a licensed tattoo artist. But Wednesday marked the first time his work has been showcased in a gallery setting.
For approximately the next month, samples of Rollins’ prints will hang on a wall at 74 Federal St., and the 30-year-old Chicopee native is happy to explain his inspiration and creative process. He is one of 13 western Massachusetts residents in recovery with their work exhibited in The RECOVER Project’s annex gallery as part of the nonprofit’s first art show.
“This place has been a huge part of my recovery,” he said about an hour after the exhibit opened on Wednesday afternoon. “This is the first time I’ve ever displayed my art like this.”
Tara Kuzmeskus, a peer support worker with The RECOVER Project, explained some-
one in recovery had suggested an art show, knowing there is a lot of artistic talent in the area. The idea got a vote of approval at a community meeting a couple months ago and artists began hanging their work over the past week.
“There can be a lot of stigma around people who have past experiences with substance use and we really try hard to break that down and give people more of an open mind about what it means to be a person in recovery,” Kuzmeskus said. “I think it allows people to showcase their talent and skills and pride, and just be seen as another human being on this journey.” (Photo: Courtesy of the Greenfield Recorder)
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Upcoming OTF Committee Meetings/Trainings |
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Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
April 5, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
April 7, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Committee
April 10, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Virtual: CAM Workgroup Meeting
April 11, 2023
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
April 13, 2023
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
April 14, 2023
10:00 AM - 12: Noon
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
April 19, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Virtual: HEALing Communities Study Committee
April 19, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Virtual: Franklin County/North Quabbin Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
April 24, 2023
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee
May 19, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
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FEATURED EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CONNECT: Post-Opioid Overdose Outreach Services |
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Updated Emergency Resources for
Unhoused Individuals
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Franklin County/North Quabbin HEALing Communities Study Updates |
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The Franklin County/North Quabbin HEALing Communities Study is underway! The Action Plan has been submitted and is currently under review. Learn more about the next steps at our next meeting, scheduled on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, as we look toward implementing the strategies. Zoom details here!
Also, the workgroups have formed and are meeting regularly to help identify and implement strategies.
We continue to need your assistance to reduce the number of opioid-related fatalities in our rural region.
Your input is desired to help us:
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Participate in a workgroup
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Support our social media efforts
Want to get involved? Contact Tiarra Fisher, HEALing Communities Study Community Coordinator at tiarra@opioidtaskforce.org for more info!
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Please support our HEALing Communities Study efforts on social media by following, liking, and sharing these pages with your networks so our communities have access to these resources and increase the reach of information shared on these pages!
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The ARISE Initiative Update |
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MA Opioid Treatment Services Disruption:
Recovery Connection Centers of America
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Boston Medical Center Grayken Center Advancing Addiction Treatment Trainings |
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The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center offers other ongoing and free trainings about addiction! Click here to see their latest offerings and how to register.
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Time Sensitive Announcements |
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March 25 - April 26 Youth Art Exhibit
Great Falls Discovery Center
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March 29 - May 3 Dining Together Series |
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March 31 Open Mic! At Stone Soup Cafe |
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March 31 Open House
Two Rivers Residential Recovery Program
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April 1 Stone Soup Cafe Menu |
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April 5 Housing Workshop at the Brick House |
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April 6 Cooking Local at the Family Center |
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April 8 River Rat Block Party, Butterfield Park, Orange |
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April 11 Nurturing Fathers Workshop Series |
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April 19 HEALing Communities Study Meeting |
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April 20 Family Game Night at the Brick House |
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April 22 Celebrate Community
Brick House Earth Day Party
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April 24 Registration Deadline for the May 4 Event Friends of NELCWIT: The Power to Persevere! |
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April 24 Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force Meeting |
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April 28 Hope and Healing
1st Annual Children's Art Show Sponsored by the Children's Advocacy Center
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April 29 Spanish Hour at the Stone Soup Cafe |
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April 30 Women Healing Women Healing Earth - Workshops at Seeds of Solidarity |
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May 3 Peer Support in the New England States |
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May 7 5K to benefit The Literacy Project:
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MONTHLY/WORKSHOP CALENDERS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS
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Improving Housing to Improve Health News |
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March RECOVER Project Calendar |
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March North Quabbin Recovery Center Calendar |
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March Brick Housing Teen Center Programming
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Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield |
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Weekdays All Recovery Meeting at
The RECOVER Project
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Monday - Friday
Movement Group with North Quabbin Recovery Center Peer Leaders
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Mondays Art Guild Meetings |
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Mondays Advanced Manufacturing Info Sessions |
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Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin |
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Second Mondays of the Month - North Quabbin B.R.A.V.E. Task Force Meetings |
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Mondays Alternatives to Suicide Group |
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Mondays and Wednesdays
Restless, Irritable, and Discontent: Your Brain in Recovery
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Second & Fourth Tuesdays
Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle
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First Tuesday - Dads' Group at Valuing Our Children |
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Tuesdays North Quabbin Recovery Center Coffee Hour |
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Tuesdays Greenfield Suicide Loss Group |
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Tuesdays Drop-In Knitting & Sewing Sessions |
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Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC |
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Wednesdays Men's Support Group:
Keep Moving Forward
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Thursdays Salasin Project:
Beyond Trauma, A Healing Journey Feb 23 - April 13
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First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group |
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Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House
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Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish |
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Second Thursdays Every Month, Peer Grief Support |
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Fridays - The Garden Committee Meetings |
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Every Third Friday: Karaoke at The RECOVER Project |
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Last Friday of the Month: Gardening in Recovery |
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HomeShare Program with LifePath |
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Covid Testing in Franklin County |
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Act Now to Stay Covered with MassHealth |
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CHCFC OBAT Same Day & Tele-Health Appointment Information |
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Free Meals and Essentials
Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall
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Come Cook with Franklin County
Community Meals Program
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CONNECTIONS -
A Residential Program of Behavioral Health Network
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Orange Food Pantry Seeking Non-Food Donations |
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When people think of donating to our agency and food pantry, they often think of food- however, that's easier for us to obtain with local partnerships with farms and retailers. What we struggle to keep stocked are hygienic & household products, such as:
- Adult pull-ups size Medium, Large, & XL
- Menstrual products
- Bath products- bath wash or bar soap, shampoo, conditioner
- Deodorant
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Toothpaste (we have plenty of toothbrushes currently!)
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Laundry Detergent
- Dish Soap
- Household cleaners- Windex, multi-surface, floor cleaner, etc.
Dozen-sized egg cartons for repackaging the hundreds of eggs we receive weekly from retailers are also needed.
Please share this list amongst your networks! Donations can be dropped off at 324 Wells Street (the Franklin County Community Distribution Center) at our office, or if donating a large amount, drop-off can be coordinated via donate@fccmp.org. (Image credit: Pixabay)
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Family Self-Sufficiency Program Available |
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Eviction Self-Help Booklets Available in Multiple Languages |
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MLRI has recently updated and translated some of our self-help booklets for unrepresented tenants facing eviction. While we still recommend tenants facing eviction seek legal help, we know resources are limited and many tenants have to represent themselves. We hope these booklets can be helpful to pro se tenants and their advocates.
You can see the full list of booklets below, or at MassLegalHelp. The booklets can help tenants prepare for court, outline their legal claims, and file court forms. There is also a booklet to help public housing tenants navigate the Grievance process.
Please reach out if you have any questions about the booklets and how they can be used.
What steps to take before going to court and what to bring to court.
An easy-to-use checklist that tells you what conditions violate the State Sanitary Code. You can also use the free self-help guided interview, MADE: Up To Code.
The Answer is a court form that tenants facing evictions can file with the court to outline your legal claims and tell the court your side of the story. You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services’ free self-help guided interview, MADE.
How to ask the court to accept your Answer and Discovery forms late. You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services’ free self-help guided interview, MADE.
A form with instructions for tenants facing eviction to get information to prepare for their trial.
A form with instructions for tenants in foreclosed properties to get information to prepare their case.
A form you can file to transfer your eviction case from a District Court to a Housing Court.
How to get a new court date if you missed your court date.
If you lost your eviction trial and think you have a good case, you may appeal. This document tells you which Appeal form to use.
How to file an appeal from a case in Housing Court.
How to file an appeal from a case in District Court.
How to get time to stay in your home if you lost your case.
How to ask the court to pay for court costs.
How to think through the terms you want in an agreement. Includes a worksheet and stipulation forms to use when you go to court. Read this booklet as webpages and watch the videos!
How to correct errors on your online court records. The Booklet includes the court form you can save to your computer, fill out, save again and print when ready.
A booklet for tenants in Mass. about the grievance process, including worksheets to help you prepare for a grievance hearing.
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Changes at the Quabbin Retreat as of 12/23/22 |
Date: Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 8:25 PM
Subject: Relocation of Dana Day Program
Dear Community Partner:
Due to low patient volume and limited staffing, I am writing to inform you that the services provided by Heywood Healthcare, at the Quabbin Retreat Dana Day Program, have been relocated to the Damon building, on the Heywood Hospital Campus. There will be no interruption of services for those in need of treatment for substance use disorder and mental health services.
Referrals may be made to Tammy Broeckel, at 978-630-6826.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure access to critical services for our community.
Nora Salovardo, MSN, RN
Vice President of Patient Care Services
Chief Nursing Officer
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Look 4 Help Website Shutting Down as of 2/28/23 |
Date: Fri, Jan 20, 2023 at 10:55 AM
Subject: [FCResourceNet] Farewell, Look 4 Help!
Hi everyone,
Our resource website, Look 4 Help will be shutting down at the end of February.
Community Action Pioneer Valley’s strengths are in connecting people and building community, not building technology platforms. We were able to sustain Look 4 Help with mostly our own resources for the last five years, but due to pandemic-era funding ending and other pressures on agency resources, we are not able to continue to fund the project.
In its place, we encourage people to use 413Cares, another website with local resources. We will be offering trainings to help people learn how to use 413Cares, similar to the ones we offered for Look4Help.
We don't regret having set up and run Look4Help for the past five years; it was a great experiment in how to manage information and get it to people who needed it. Unfortunately, we don't have the support we need to keep it going, and we think 413Cares will be a good alternative for those looking for local resources.
Dane Kuttler
she/her/hers
Hampshire County Collaborations Coordinator
Notary Public
Community Action Pioneer Valley
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Update! Greenfield CSC New Hybrid Operations Change |
The Greenfield Court Service Center is located at 43 Hope St., 1st Floor, Greenfield, MA.
They offer in-person services on Tuesdays & Thursdays, ONLY, from 8:30 am-1 pm, and 2 pm-4 pm. Remote services (email, phone, Zoom) are available on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
For an intake, contact the Virtual Court Service Center, Mon. thru Fri. 9 am-12 pm by telephone: 1-646-828-7666, press #, #, then enter meeting ID: 161 526 1140 or by video: www.zoomgov.com/j/1615261140.
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Confronting The Vaping Epidemic with Matt Bellace, PhD
Matt Bellace, Psychologist, and Comedian talks about the dangers of vaping in a clear and easy-to-understand way. He conveys the seriousness of the consequences and also provides a positive and hopeful approach to choosing not to vape. You can access the accompanying Discussion Questions and Activities by registering for free at www.NaturalHigh.org.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY/NORTH QUABBIN RESOURCES |
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Free Training Opportunities
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Free ServSafe Classes - March Through June 2023 |
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Join the 2023-2024 DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps Team
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Musica Franklin AmeriCorps Opportunity |
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BHN - Open Positions in Greenfield and Orange |
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Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority: Housing Development Rehabilitation Coordinator Position |
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COMMUNITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES |
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Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region www.opioidtaskforce.org
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