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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
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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
We are thick in the beauty of fall in New England and the most recent stretch of weather over the past few days has been wonderful. This month is a busy one for Westborough Connects, as we have several programs planned (in collaboration with others!). Read all about them and more below.
The news from far away of the war in Israel and Gaza is heartbreaking and adds to the concern about the many conflicts happening across the globe. While they aren't occurring in our physical surroundings, they impact some of us very directly and all of us in some way. It may feel like there is no way we can personally stop the human suffering we read, watch and talk about. One thing we all can do is recognize that - as we walk, shop, play, work and generally go about our days - we cross paths with people who are holding a lot in their hearts and minds. YOU may be, too. In these daily interactions with people we know and those we don't, we can be kind to each other and we can be kind to ourselves. If you or someone you know is in need of resources, please use the link below to access our Square One Mental Health List.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
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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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So many children and families around the country enjoy Halloween each year. Treat Accessibly is an organization dedicated to making sure that it is accessible for all. Check it out HERE.
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SPARK Kindness has created a Portuguese version of their Social Justice Parenting program from earlier this year (hosted by Westborough Connects Board Chair, Kate Storm, and featuring Traci Baxley, Ed.D.). You'll find the video HERE in Portuguese.
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In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 3-9) and World Mental Health Day October 10th), we wanted to share (again) our 2023 Mental Health resource list HERE as well as Mental Health America's new Spanish-language resources HERE.
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Locally focused items centered on resources and announcements in Westborough. |
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The Town of Westborough has proposed a Community Center at Baystate Commons, to be voted on at the upcoming Fall Town Meeting on October 16th. According to the Town, this facility would house both the Senior Center and Recreation Department, as well as meeting space for community groups. To give residents the information they need ahead of Town Meeting, the Town Manager's office has posted detailed information and video presentations HERE.
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Westborough Connects recently hosted ~60 people representing various leadership positions in the community to introduce a new initiative we are working on called Bridging Differences & Divides. The initiative aims to strengthen community connections and to address the increasingly divisive tone of our public discourse by creating a constructive environment for discussing important issues affecting our community. We introduced the group to Essential Partners and their approach: Reflective Structured Dialogue. The feedback from the program was tremendous and we look forward to the future. We'll continue our planning and invite additional leaders and community members to be part of it - stay tuned! In the meantime, we thought it would be useful to share their Free 5 Weeks of Dialogue email series.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS
(there is a lot going on this month!)
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This is the first in a 3-part film series with additional supplemental programming. For information and dates for all 3 films, click HERE.
NOTES FOR OCTOBER 25TH FILM SCREENING: Pre-registration is requested and follow-up resources will be sent to registrants after the event. Film will be shown at the Charlotte C. Spinney Memorial Auditorium (Westborough High School) in English with Spanish subtitles. It is recommended for parents and caring adults of children in 2nd grade and older. Youth in grades 6 and up are also welcome to attend with their parents/caregivers. Free on-site childcare provided by Westborough High School Honor Society (pre-registration is required).
NOTES FOR CONNECT OVER COFFEE MEETUPS: No registration required. These events will take place at Westborough Public Library and are intended for parents and caregivers to connect with others around topics from the film.
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STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS, INCLUDING KINDNESS WEEK LOCAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. |
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ATTENTION local businesses, community groups & nonprofits:
We would love to have you as a Partner in Kindness!
Interested? Email Laura Cerniglia (lauraconnects3@gmail.com) by October 20th.
Need ideas on how to be a Partner in Kindness?
We have several suggestions and a "wish list" for partners to consider. If you'd like to see a sampling of community-partnered events and initiatives from past years, look HERE.
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Westborough Connects Earns Service Enterprise Certification from Points of Light/Al!ve |
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Westborough Connects is proud to announce we have earned a Service Enterprise Certification from Points of Light/Al!ve. This comprehensive process took nearly 18 months under the guidance of MA Service Alliance, focused on our Volunteer Engagement Program. The Points of Light's Service Enterprise Program "STRENGTHENS NONPROFIT CAPACITY THROUGH THE FUNDAMENTAL AND STRATEGIC USE OF VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR SKILLS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS." Click HERE to learn more.
We wish to thank our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Cheryl Thomas for her stewardship throughout this process. We are also grateful to our Volunteer Team who inspire us to serve out our mission with them and make our work in the community possible.
If you are interested in joining our Volunteer Team, email Cheryl at cherylconnects2@gmail.com
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, Learning, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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Fall Town Meeting
Monday, October 16th, 7pm
Charlotte C. Spinney Memorial Auditorium, Westborough High School
90 W. Main Street
This is an opportunity for registered voters in town to decide matters related to town spending and governance. HERE is a link to the Town Meeting Warrant (the list and details for the 15 articles to be voted upon).
Each year, numerous presentations and meetings are held in preparation for Town Meeting. Presentations made to the Advisory Finance Committee related to many of the articles can be found on Westborough TV's Government channel and on-demand via the Westborough TV website HERE.
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- Westborough TV's "On the Sidelines," hosted by Paul McGrath, recently explored the stories of 3 Olympians from Westborough: Jimmy Campbell (1994), Ashley Hayden (2002), and Nikki Stone (1994 & 1998). Check it out HERE.
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Community Programs and Events in Westborough |
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Westborough Community Land Trust presents: |
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Hosted by Westborough Public Library
Get a jump on the holiday season! Susan will give step-by-step instructions to design and create a set of winter/Christmas-themed greeting cards. All materials and supplies will be provided; at the end of the class you will take home six of your original creations.
Space is very limited; registration required.
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October 18, 2023, 6:30-7:45pm,
55 West Main Street, Westborough
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Westborough Recreation and Westborough Economic Development Committee invite you to.... |
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First United Methodist Church of Westborough invites community members to this fun event, including trunk or treating, a caricaturist, food by Mike's Ultimate Grille and LOTS of candy & fun! The event is rain or shine - it will be moved inside if there is bad weather. Share with your friends so they can join in on all the fun too!
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WPL Haunted Library
October 28th,
Arrival time: 6:30-6:45pm
Hosted by Westborough Public Library and run by Westborough teens
Visit this year's haunted library for the usual chills and thrills. As you travel through various library rooms depicting the dark side of fairy tales, be sure to avoid the scary villains and not-so-happy haunts that come out after hours.
This annual, FREE event is run by Westborough teens and is always one of the library's most popular events. This event is open to adults, teens, and families with school-aged children who are brave enough to enter the haunted dwelling. This is NOT appropriate for young children.
Every individual who enters the building must register for a "Timed Entry Pass." This pass will tell you the time that you will need to arrive to guarantee entry into the building. Specific tour tickets will be given out upon arrival to pass holders on a first-come, first-serve basis. Entrance into the Haunted Library can only be guaranteed to registered participants who arrive at their designated time slot. Visitors will not be admitted earlier or later than their registered time.
Please be warned that the library will be VERY dark and will make use of flashing lights. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.
Register HERE. (registration is limited and will fill up!)
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Our Partner in Kindness, Central MA Connections in Faith, is helping us kick off Kindness Week with this special program (we are including this now because pre-registratioin is needed due to pre-registration needed). We hope to see you there! |
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Congratulations
Bill and Bev Linnane!
The Linnanes will be honored at the
2023 Good Scout Award Dinner
November 7th
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Each year, the Westborough Boy Scouts present the Good Scout Award to individuals who have demonstrated integrity and genuine concern for others in both their professional and personal lives. Bill and Bev Linnane are the 2023 recipients of the Good Scout Award. Bill is a member of the Westborough Connects Board of Directors and we are proud! Click HERE to read a Patch article about their contributions to Westborough and HERE to learn more about the annual Good Scout Award Dinner and how to purchase tickets for the event taking place on Tuesday, November 7th.
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Upcoming SPARK Kindness Program
(YOU are invited!)
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October 18, 2023
7-8:30pm
Natick High School, 15 West Street Natick, MA 01760
Being - and raising - a teenager has never been easy and it’s especially challenging now. In this talk, psychologist and best-selling author Lisa Damour, Ph.D. will address:
- What to expect in the normal course of adolescent emotional development and when it’s time to worry.
- Why teens (and adults) need to understand that mental health isn’t about “feeling good” but about having feelings that fit the moment.
- Strategies for supporting teens in managing their feelings.
- The best ways to stay connected to your tween/teen and how to provide the kind of relationship that adolescents need and want.
ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event.
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Meet our sponsor - Cumulus Global. In their own words...
Headquartered in Westborough, Cumulus Global is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider. Leveraging the power of cloud forward solutions, Cumulus Global helps small and midsize businesses thrive and grow. The company helps local governments and K-12 school systems improve service and educational outcomes with cost-effective cloud services.
In addition to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, Cumulus Global offers a range of security, data protection, and business continuity services. With more than 15 years of experience in Cloud Computing, the company is able to help you secure, manage, and protect your IT.
“We proudly sponsor Westborough Connects and its mission to help build a thriving, kind, and connected community where everybody belongs, states Allen Falcon Edinberg, co-founder and CEO. “The services we offer focus on communication and collaboration. Westborough Connects works to improve communication and collaboration beyond the office or classroom, to the community at large, and in multiple ways.”
For Cumulus Global, supporting organizations that help make our local communities better aligns with the company’s values and mission. In addition to Westborough Connects, local support includes Arts in Common, Westborough Civic Club, Westborough Food Pantry, Fresh Start Furniture Bank, Westborough Education Foundation, and the Westborough Police and Fire Departments.
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"Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another." – Erma Bombeck
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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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westboroughconnects@gmail.com
www.westboroughconnects.org
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