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NOTE: DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THIS NEWSLETTER, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CLICK "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN IN ORDER TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER OR CLICK HERE to View as Webpage .
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Photo location: Westborough
Hello Neighbors and Friends -
We're jumping right into 2024 with two community program collaborations this month that you won't want to miss!
First, for parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers and any adults who have young people in their lives, the Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs and Alcohol in the Digital Age film next week is eye-opening and offers a view into how social media can impact the decision-making of our youth - particularly when it comes to substance use.
Following up, on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, please attend the 6th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. Each year, this event offers an opportunity to revisit the important work of Dr. King in the context of today - to consider how we can further his dream in our lives and our community.
More details about both programs can be found below. We hope to see you there!
We've added a new section to our newsletter: Values in Focus. Beginning this month, we will highlight one of our organizational values in each newsletter. It helps keep us focused on the ideals we aspire to and share our practice of them with you! As with everything we do, we are not perfect. But we humbly believe that returning to our values keeps us grounded and able to continue our work as a trusted resource in the community.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
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A curated selection of articles, videos, audio and resources that we find worthy of sharing each month (no matter where you live).
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In the spirit of living well in the new year and our organization's mission, we wanted to share this article from Greater Good Science Center: Seven Reminders for How to Live Well in 2024.
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Take the U.S. Surgeon General's challenge: “5-for-5 Connection Challenge” to help you strengthen relationships and inspire others to focus on connection in their daily lives. Check it out HERE. You can also listen to Dr. Murthy's podcase episode about the challenge HERE.
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Locally focused items centered on resources and announcements in Westborough.
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We are accepting applications for a Volunteer Engagement Coordinator through the end of January. Learn more HERE.
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Beginning January 9th, the Westborough Public Library will host drop-in Conversation Circles - an opportunity to practice English in a casual and informal setting with fellow community members. Visit HERE for more information.
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The Westborough Senior/Veteran Property Tax Work Program allows people to volunteer for 125 hours to earn an $1875 credit on your FY’24 property tax bill. You must be the owner/occupant of the home as your primary residence. Other requirements and application information will be available beginning January 16th through Westborough Senior Center (508-366-3000), the Assessor’s Office, The Veteran’s Office and on the Town website. Applications are due back to the Senior Center by Friday, February 2.
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THANK YOU TO OUR NEWEST SPONSOR |
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We are grateful to our newest sponsor:
Thank you for being a Friend of Westborough Connects sponsor.
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The Square One Collaboration presents: |
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"While most documentaries about substance use focus on severe addiction, Screenagers Under The Influence fills a pressing need for a film that explores more common scenarios. The film is grounded in teens’ current reality of being flooded by images on social media, movies, and TV shows about vaping, drugs, and alcohol...Screenagers Under The Influence focuses on practical solutions for keeping our teens safe in a changing world." |
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January 9th, 7-9pm @
Charlotte C. Spinney Auditorium, Westborough High School
90 West Main Street, Westborough
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Register in English or Spanish |
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This film focuses on the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol.
ALL WESTBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS will watch the film in their physical education classes this year. This is a great opportunity for parents, caregivers and all caring adults with youth in their lives to see this powerful and informative film.
Local pediatrician Dr. Safdar Medina will be available to answer questions following the film. Dr. Medina will also be the featured speaker for a follow-up event on February 6th. It will focus on youth and substance use.
Westborough Public School Director of Wellness Roger Anderson will share some local data from the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey.
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NOTES FOR JANUARY 9TH FILM SCREENING:
- The film will be shown in English with Spanish subtitles.
- It is recommended for parents and caring adults and is appropriate for adolescents aged 13 and older.
- Free on-site childcare provided by Westborough High School Honor Society (pre-registration is required).
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Register in English or Spanish |
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View translated flyers HERE. |
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, Learning, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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Town of Westborough Elected Position Openings
There are several openings for elected positions within the town of Westborough. Click HERE for a notice from the Town Clerk's office, which includes a list of positions up for election.
Elected Town Office positions are open to resident voters who wish to hold an elected town office. The election will be held on March 12, 2024. The last day to obtain Nomination Papers is Friday, January 19, 2024 at 5:00pm. Nomination Papers for the 2024 Annual Town Election are available during Town Hall hours in the Town Clerk’s Office, 34 West Main Street.
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"Neighbors helping neighbors as a way to help address hunger in Westborough" |
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The Little Free Pantry of Westborough is hosted by In Your Shoes and is located in St. Stephen's Church's parking lot - 3 John Street, Westborough. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As a community-supported resource, it is ALWAYS in need of donations. Simply swing by and leave items for those in need.
Some suggested items include: Canned Meats/ Seafoods, Hearty Soups/ Chilis, Cereals, Pasta/ Sauce, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Crackers/ Granola Bars, Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant; no glass please.
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Westborough residents: Take the Westborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Survey
A message from the Westborough Fire Chief, Patrick Purcell:
Hello residents of the Town of Westborough, business owners, and those of you that work here. Many town departments have been working hard for several months to update our communities Hazard Mitigation Plan. We need your help to make Westborough safer. Please consider taking the below survey to guide us in completing this project. We would appreciate your support. Chief Purcell
Learn more and take the survey HERE.
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Community Programs and Events in Westborough |
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“Anything Goes—America During the Jazz Age: “The Roaring Twenties” with historian Christopher Daley
January 8, at 6:30pm
Location: Westborough Library
This presentation is an entertaining overview of the 1920s, showcasing
World events, political events, prohibition, organized crime, as well as
the style, fashion, and trends of the Jazz Age. Christopher Daley is a historian, author, and public speaker. He recently retired from a 25-year career teaching history in the Silver Lake Regional School System in Kingston, Mass. He holds a B.A. and M.A. from Bridgewater State University in Political Science and History. He was formerly the President of the Pembroke Historical Society and Chairman of the Pembroke Historical Commission. Chris has written articles on historical topics for local publications and recently published his first book, Murder and Mayhem in Boston: Historic Crimes in the Hub. Chris has also served as historical consultant on the Sacco-Vanzetti Case for the Travel Channel "Time Traveling with Brian Unger,” and has appeared on the Travel Channel's "Kindred Spirits
program as a historian on the Lizzie Borden Case. Chris and his wife Cathy, a professional photographer, reside in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
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Sponsored by Westborough Public Library. Find out all the details HERE.
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As a values-based organization, our work is grounded in the 11 organizational values we have adopted. Each month, we'll highlight one of our values - perhaps sharing an example of it in our own practice or a resource we have found useful. This month's value: |
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Love of community is at the center of our work.
In practice, this can take many forms. This Notes on Connection newsletter is one example - we highlight events, resources, people and organizations that enrich our experiences as Westborough residents, showcase our community pride and promote the importance of a community that cares for each other. We share opportunities for civic engagement, volunteering and service to others that better our individual lives and strengthen the broader community.
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“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
- Coretta Scott King
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NOTE: Our organizational values have been shaped since the earliest days of our founding in 2017, through the mentorship and guidance provided to us by SPARK Kindness and through further development and practice as an organization. They were formally adopted by our board of directors in 2022. You can view our values HERE.
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Westborough Connects, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472), is a community connector with a mission to help build a thriving, kind, and connected community where everybody belongs. By listening and responding to the needs of the community, we connect people to resources and to each other. We foster meaningful relationships through events, collaborative partnerships and communications. Westborough Connects is the proud winner of the Civic Pride Award as part of the Westborough Economic Development Committee's 2022 Year in Review Awards. |
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Interested in becoming a sponsor of Westborough Connects? We'd love to talk to you. Please email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com |
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westboroughconnects@gmail.com
www.westboroughconnects.org
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