May 3, 2024: Issue 9
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Healing Arts " ~ Greenfield Recorder (5/1/24)
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"For many, the magic of participating in theater lies within an opportunity to step outside of the ordinary. For some in the Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre, however, theater and circus can manifest as the opposite: an invaluable space to feel like oneself.
The Recovery Theatre and Circus, founded in summer 2015, is “the best nonprofit in the Hilltowns that people had never heard of,” opined Jonathan Diamond, the initiative’s cofounder and executive director. Partnered with area schools, the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County, state Department Of Public Health Bureau Of Substance Abuse Services, Northwestern District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts Cultural Council and others, the afterschool program provides performing arts training for young people struggling with trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression and other behavioral health challenges.
'What the Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre is doing is taking the youngest, most stigmatized and marginalized members of our community and transforming them into artists, activists and activators …” Matthew Glassman, former co-artistic director at Ashfield ’s Double Edge Theatre, said of the Recovery Theatre in a statement provided by Oliver Diamond, Jonathan’s son. “It’s clinical. It’s political, it’s economic and I would even say spiritual.'
“Part of its strength lies in the fact that it is not a clinic, agency or hospital,” John Merrigan, former state representative and the founding co-chair of the Opioid Task Force, said in Oliver Diamond’s statement. “Nothing else exists like this in our underserved 30town rural region. And, frankly, we haven’t seen anything else like it in New England and, I’m tempted to say, the country.”
Intensives typically range from $200 to $300, but all are pay-what-you-can.
Those interested can also inquire about scholarships by emailing Diamond at jonathan@crocker.com. For more information regarding the Recovery Intensives, visit http://www.hilltownyouth.org/recovery-theatre.
| (Photo Courtesy of Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre and The Creative Counter) | |
"Salvation Army Raises Over $5K for Meals Program " ~Greenfield Recorder (5/2/2024) |
"The Salvation Army of Greenfield raised more than $5,000 on Friday during its “Fill the Plate” fundraising dinner.
On a monthly basis, The Salvation Army of Greenfield distributes more than 800 meals to residents who struggle with food insecurity.
“Our hardworking neighbors continue to struggle with food costs,” Lt. Paul Leslie, who oversees operations at The Salvation Army’s Greenfield location, said in a statement. “We’re seeing a growing number of people who rely on our Community Feeding Program’s breakfast and lunch programs every Monday through Friday, as well as our food pantry.”
In addition to raising money for the Community Feeding Program, Friday’s event at Terrazza Ristorante also honored Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its Northampton Cooperative Bank division.
The bank has supported The Salvation Army for the past 15 years, namely through its holiday Angel Tree Program, where customers and employees can donate toys and clothing to fulfill gift requests by local children.
The bank’s support of the Angel Tree Program accounts for approximately 60% of all seasonal donations to The Salvation Army in Greenfield.
“Food is only one of many human needs,” Leslie said in a statement. “That is why The Salvation Army employs a whole-of-person approach, and attempts
to address the mental, spiritual and emotional needs of our residents. We encourage anyone who needs a hand to reach out.”
Apart from the Community Feeding Program, the Greenfield Corps also offers numerous other services and programs, including rent and utility assistance, social and pastoral services, and a daytime shelter with shower and laundry facilities.
Residents can find out more about The Salvation Army of Greenfield at https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/massachusetts/greenfield/
(Contributed Photo/The Salvation Arm of Greenfield)
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS | |
Hybrid: Treatment & Recovery Committee
May 3, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Greenfield Community College,
One College Drive, Room C201
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee
May 10, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
May 13, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
May 13, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Education & Prevention Committee
May 14, 2024
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
June 3, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
June 5, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
June 11, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
June 13, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
June 14, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Consult our website or Facebook Page for updates. Please email us with any questions!
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FEATURED EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
CONNECT: Post-Opioid Overdose Outreach Services | |
Updated Emergency Resources for
Unhoused Individuals
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Time Sensitive Announcements | |
Wednesday Nurturing Father's Program - Through June 20 | |
April 1 - June 22 Free English Class for Immigrants and Refugees | |
April 6 - May 25 *Saturdays* Postpartum Therapeutic
Support Group
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May 3 Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Day 2024 CONNECTIONS | |
May 3 Garden Path Group Field Trip
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May 4 AAPI Heritage Month Celebration | |
May 4 Cornhole Tournament | |
May 4 Free Comic Book Day | |
May 5 & May 19 Sensory StoryTimes with Tierney Sodders | |
May 6 Finding The Mother Tree - May Book Discussion | |
May 6 Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility | |
May 6 STEM - Tornado in a Bottle Workshop | |
May 7 Mapping The Wilds of Grief | |
May 8 Conversaciones Sobre Sexualidad (en espanol) | |
May 8 Author Event with Rebecca Caprara | |
May 11 Meet the Authors at Shutesbury Town Hall | |
May 11 Athol/Royalston Early Education Fair | |
May 11 Sashiko-Inspired Visible Mending | |
May 11 Spring in the Falls | |
May 11 Sensual and Nourishing Herbs | |
May 11 - June 22 Saturday Morning Buddy Baseball | |
May 13 - May 17 5 Day Core Intentional Peer Support Training | |
May 14 & May 16 The "Talk" Community Presentation | |
May 15 Exploring Inner & Outer Wilds: Embodied Nature Writing | |
May 15 22nd Annual Mental Health & Wellness Fair | |
May 18 Paint a Kindness Rock | |
May 18 Provider Open House | |
May 18 Heart of Leyden Running Fest | |
May 18 Book, Bake and Plant Sale | |
May 21 North Quabbin Foodathon | |
May 22 Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training
Register Here!
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May 22 Franklin County Reentry Center Spring BBQ | |
May 23 - 2024 Opioid Settlement Funding Updates
Register here
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May 24 Academy at Charlemont Trivia Night | |
May 29 - June 29 Free College Success Course | |
May 31 West County People Who Support People Meeting | |
June 7 6th Annual DMH Trauma Symposium | |
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MONTHLY/WORKSHOP CALENDERS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
Improving Housing to Improve Health News | |
Re-Entry Foundational Manufacturing Program | |
May Community Action Family Center Calendar | |
May Programs at Franklin County Reentry Center | |
May Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
May Greenfield Public Library Programs | |
May Montague Public Library Programs | |
May at the RECOVER Project | |
May Union 28 Community Network for Children Program Calendar | |
July - August at Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre | |
LifePath's FREE Healthy Living Summer Workshops | |
Spring & Summer Pothole Pictures | |
2024 Seeds of Solidarity Calendar of Events | |
SNAP Application Assistance | |
Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield | |
RECOVER Project Groups At a Glance | |
Weekdays All Recovery Meeting at
The RECOVER Project
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Monday/Wednesday/Friday
The Community Closet at The Franklin County Reentry Center
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Monday - Friday
Movement Group with North Quabbin Recovery Center Peer Leaders
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Mondays North Quabbin Patch Parents' Council | |
Mondays Breaking Barriers at the Franklin County
Reentry Center
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Mondays Art Guild Meetings | |
Mondays Advanced Manufacturing Info Sessions | |
Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin | |
Mondays at FCSO Reentry Center - Recovery Through Creativity | |
Second Mondays of the Month - North Quabbin B.R.A.V.E. Task Force Meetings | |
Mondays Alternatives to Suicide Group | |
2nd Mondays
Greenfield Healing Clinic
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2nd and 4th Mondays
Parenting Together at the Brick House
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Third Monday Alphabet & Allies | |
Third Monday Parenting With Pride | |
Mondays and Wednesdays
Restless, Irritable, and Discontent: Your Brain in Recovery
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Tuesdays Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle | |
Every Other Tuesday - Housing Support Drop In Hours | |
First Tuesday - Dads' Group at Valuing Our Children | |
Tuesday Tea Time & Community Resource Drop-In | |
Tuesdays North Quabbin Recovery Center Coffee Hour | |
Tuesdays Greenfield Suicide Loss Group | |
First Tuesday - P.A.R.T. Task Force | |
Tuesdays Drop-In Knitting & Sewing Sessions | |
2nd Tuesdays New Member Orientation at the RECOVER Project | |
Tuesday & Thursdays Weekly Reentry Groups | |
Tuesday Men's Anger Management Group
Wednesday Women's Anger Management Group
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Wednesdays - Wendell Library Playgroup with Sylvia | |
Wednesdays - Playgroup at the Leverett Library with Gillian | |
Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC | |
First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
Thursdays Mens Group in the RPX | |
Thursdays Recovery Support Group Meetings at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House | |
Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish | |
Second Thursdays Every Month, Peer Grief Support | |
Fridays FreeWrite of Franklin County | |
First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic at the RP | |
Every Friday - The Garden Path | |
Every First & Third Friday - Grandparents & Kinship Support Group | |
Every Second Friday Chosen Family Night | |
Every Third Friday: Karaoke at The RECOVER Project | |
Last Friday of the Month: Gardening in Recovery | |
Homeshare Program with LifePath | |
Act Now to Stay Covered with MassHealth | |
DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps Opportunity at
Montague Catholic Social Ministries
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CHCFC OBAT Same Day & Tele-Health Appointment Information | |
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 | |
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 | |
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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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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COMMUNITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES | |
Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region www.opioidtaskforce.org
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