🎃October 2022 MASS Flash ⚡
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Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Happy Hispanic heritage month, everyone!
I am proud to be a part of an organization that supports all types of cultures and diversity! To us this is very important to have not only just in the workplace but all over the world! Stay tuned for all the amazing events and opportunities we have to share and offer!
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Story Of The Month! Karen Cusick! |
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🎃Halloween Party
Tuesday, October 25th 2022
5:30 PM
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Wednesday, October 26 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
This month we will watch "This is US: Stories About Bullying and the R-Word" created by Paula Mione and edited by Sam Muench. Paula interviewed various self advocates and got their stories related to bullying and the r-word. It's an incredibly moving video, and given that October is anti-bullying month, Sam couldn't have finished editing it at a better time. The video will be debuted at our SAIL Meeting this month, as it serves as an amazing example of a successful campaign.
Wednesday, October 26 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm:
SAIL is a hands-on intensive experience in which self-advocates can learn and experience the power of social change, by creating change from the ground up. Participants will work with the group and engage in discussions to learn strategies to create campaigns for change. Bring your ideas and be ready to learn!
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October 27, 2022 Virtual Disability Forum with Candidate for Governor: Maura Healey (D) |
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The Arc of Massachusetts, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), Disability Law Center (DLC), Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS), and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) are pleased to organize Virtual Disability Forums with Candidates running for Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The second forum, with Candidate Maura Healey (D), will be on October 27 at 12:00PM.
These Virtual Disability Forums offer a unique opportunity to hear candidates speak and answer questions about issues important to the disability community in Massachusetts. The virtual forum will be presented as an hour Zoom webinar and streamed live on Facebook. We are currently securing American Sign Language (ASL), CART, and Spanish interpretation.
Since this is a rescheduled date, we received dozens of questions in advance, but there will also be an option to submit questions live for consideration through the Q & A feature on the Zoom webinar.
Oct 27, 2022 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Witnessed History!
Best day of my life!!!! Now who gets to say that you were able to hang out with one of your best friends and take pictures with Michelle Wu & Ayana Pressley in Boston!!!!
Oh wait, now I can!!!
I still am in shock!!!!!!!!! Like you literally have to pinch me and shake me 1 million times because I still can’t believe this moment actually existed and happened at the same time!!!!
All of this wonderful and incredible magic happened on Saturday August 20th 2022 at Titus sparrow Park.
To make things even greater I was able to meet Michelle Wu at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in November 2018 so it was great being able to see her and talk to her about issues that are important to us… for example transportation and accessibility for everyone!
The fact that I was able to hear Ayana Presley speak in front of my eyes made it even sweeter! This is definitely a day that will forever be ingrained in my memory for the rest of time!
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CENTRAL REGION: Sue Moriarty
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In-Person Regional Meeting Date for Central:
Tuesday, October 11, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm:
Location:
HMEA Autism Resource Center
712 Plantation St
Worcester, MA 01605
Please RSVP by contacting Sue Moriarty by emailing sue@wearemass.org or calling (508) 209-7184.
Online Regional Meeting Dates for Central:
Regional Meeting - Tuesday, October 25, from 3:30pm - 5:30pm:
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METRO REGION! Meet Jenna!
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Hello everyone, my name is Jenna DeSpirito, and I am the new Metro Regional Coordinator! I have lived in Massachusetts my entire life, and spent the past four years earning my bachelors degree in English at Salem State University, and I have a minor in Education. I’ve spent the past six years teaching young students anything from English, to arts and crafts, and everything in between.
In my free time I am either braving the cold New England waters with my wetsuit, or creating art centered around plus size bodies and all things spooky. Additionally, I run a social media account centered around body positivity with over 20 thousand followers. I am so excited to be a part of the M.A.S.S. team!
Next Metro Regional Meeting October 18th at 6:00PM
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SOUTHEAST REGION: Sarah Binney
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Happy October Southeast! Our Southeast regional October meeting will be on Thursday, October 20th. This meeting will be from 5-6PM and primarily be focused on the feedback for the board about the conference.
In November, our regional meeting will be on Thursday, November 17th from 5-6:30PM due to Thanksgiving.
Online Regional Meeting Date for Southeast:
Thursday, October 20, from 5:00pm - 6:00pm:
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Rainbow Group: Pauline Bosma, Oscar Hughes, and Francesco Hladysz
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October 11th at 5:30pm - LGBTQ+ Pride Halloween Party (in person)
Boo!
Rainbow is co-sponsoring a LGBTQ+ Pride Halloween Party on October 11th at Framingham State University! The party starts at 5:30pm. It is near the commuter rail and there is parking. The party is free. There is a free buffet dinner and dancing. Pauline will give a speech. You can wear a Halloween costume if you want to.

Rainbow Group Monthly Meetings
October 12th at 5:30-7:30pm ET - Wednesday Social Rainbow Meeting
October 25th at 5:30-7:30pm ET - Join Rainbow and all the regions of MASS on Tuesday for the MASS Halloween Party 🎃
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OVW/ - Mass Rights for Change Report for October! |
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Let’s give a shout out to Mass Rights for Change, our OVW grant project! Our team continues to work together to support survivors with I/DD.
October is domestic violence awareness month! Remember…there is no excuse for abuse!
October is also anti-bullying awareness month.
In September we and our partners, Victim Rights Law Center and Pathways for Change, were excited to present to the Governor’s Council about the work we are doing! We talked about our collaboration and showed the council the resources we have created for survivors! We are also working to create a training on how to use the Survivor Support Packet that is on the MASS website. Check out the self-care and other resources in the packet!
Thanks to Brian Kelly, John Mullaly, Pauline Bosma, and the rest of the Mass Rights for Change Team for all of their hard work. You can learn more about the Survivor Support Packet at https://www.wearemass.org/survivor-support-packet.
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We Want To Hear From You! |
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Is there anything exciting happening in your life that you are just itching to talk about? Want to share it with the world?!
If so, great because I, Kamisha Heriveaux, am always on the look out for interesting events, your hobbies, and topics that interest you - so please don't hesitate to reach out!
I can't wait to hear from all of YOU! Have a great day and keep on reading!
~ Kamisha
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MASS Advocates Standing Strong
200 Portland Street, Suite 500 c/o WeWork
Boston, MA 02114
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