January 19, 2024: Issue 2
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Temporary Shelter Plan Approved" ~ Greenfield Recorder (1/6/2024) |
"The Planning Board has approved the site plan for a temporary shelter on Arch Street, where Clinical & Support Options (CSO) plans to relocate beds from the Wells Street shelter while construction on that building gets underway.
Approval for the plan — which includes converting a portion of the second-floor office space at 6 Arch St., owned by CSO, to accommodate up to 45 shelter beds — was granted by the board on the condition it is limited to 18 months. The property is currently zoned Central Commercial.
“We’ve been in support of the total development of this project, which includes the fact that 60 Wells St. has to be vacated this spring in order for it to be redone,” said resident Susan Worgaftik, speaking on behalf of Housing Greenfield. “I think when it’s redone the city is going to be pretty pleased with the results. … Right now, the best way to do that is to build this new site, and we have to get the folks presently in that site out of that site in order to do that.”
One neighbor to the project, however, stated in an email to city officials Thursday night her intent to appeal the decision. Stephanie Duclos argued the project represents “a big change of use.”
The $23 million transformation of the existing shelter at 60 Wells St. includes a renovation of the existing building, expanding shelter capacity from 30 to 40, and construction of a new three-story building that will hold 36 studio apartments geared toward very low-income, formerly homeless individuals. In April, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted the agency a special permit for the studio apartment portion of the project.
Worgaftik said Housing Greenfield worked with CSO to consider various options for temporary shelter during the renovations, including churches, for example, and found the Arch Street site to be the best possible solution. “We believe that is the best way to be able to serve a large number of people who, right now, are unhoused in the area,” she said.
According to George Dole of Jones Whitsett Architects, which is working with CSO, the 10,000-square-foot space on Arch Street will require “limited” remodeling.
“It has meeting space, it has open space, it has some accessible restrooms … but we are going to be putting in code-required restrooms for the number of clients that this takes,” Dole said, “We’ll be putting in new restrooms with handicap- accessible toilets, stalls and showers, as well as renovating the space throughout.” Dole added that CSO has been replacing the building’s sprinkler system.
The approval on Thursday evening came despite pushback from two residents who live in the neighborhood and argued the plan constituted a use change, and as a result, should require a public hearing process. Duclos told Planning Board members that in addition to increasing traffic at an already dangerous intersection, the proposal could negatively impact property values. She also expressed concerns about the impact on the waterlines in the area.
The board ultimately approved the site plan with three votes in favor. Chair George Touloumtzis, who is employed by CSO, recused himself from the conversation as well as the deliberation. "
(Staff Photo/Mary Byrne)
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"Social Services to Tally Homeless Population" ~Greenfield Recorder (1/11/2024) |
"Social service agencies across the region will team up this month to get a headcount of people sleeping in shelters and, in some cases, outside.
The annual Point-in-Time count is a national initiative set up by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine the greatest needs for homeless people with and without shelter.
Nationally, regions within each state are broken up into a Continuum of Care (CoC), where organizations work together to survey homeless populations and offer them resources, such as sleeping bags, backpacks or warm clothing. Western Massachusetts is broken up into the Berkshire-Franklin-Hampshire Three County CoC — the largest geographic CoC in the state — and the Hampden County CoC.
The count is scheduled to take place on Jan. 31, according to Community Action Pioneer Valley Associate Director of Programs Janna Tetreault.
“We use a couple of different methods,” said Tetreault. “We get a count from all of the shelter providers directly of people who are in the shelter on that night. Then, we also send out volunteers to count people who are unsheltered. People break into groups and they cover specific areas. … It’s not a perfect process. We don’t think that we count everyone. There are a lot of folks we may not reach, particularly if they’re unsheltered on that particular night.”
Surveys will also be distributed to those who are willing to take them, she said. Tetreault added that HUD has a “very specific definition” of who to count, which doesn't include people who are couch surfing or temporarily living with another family.
“At this time of the year, particularly in New England, we think there is probably a high percentage of folks who are doing that and are not outside,” she said.
Conducting the count is a requirement for any community that receives federal funding from HUD. Tetreault said the CoC receives about $3.5 million a year for the three-county region, though it’s unclear how much the count impacts the funding the region receives. Those funds are distributed by Community Action Pioneer Valley to area providers, who do the work of housing and supporting the region’s most vulnerable populations.
Beyond that, the information gathered during the count helps agencies to analyze trends over time and determine where more funding might be needed to address increases in people experiencing homelessness.
“Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a rise,” Tetreault said. “It went up 15% from 2022 to 2023.”
On Jan. 25, 2023, there were at least 661 people across Berkshire, Franklin
and Hampshire counties included in the Point-in-Time count. The largest number of individuals were located in Pittsfield (221), followed by Northampton (115) and Greenfield (104).
Anyone who is interested in donating items to be distributed to the homeless during the Point-in-Time count should contact Michele LaFleur at Community Action Pioneer Valley at mlafleur@communityaction. us.
Donations are due before Friday."
(Staff Photo/Paul Franz)
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE MEETINGS | |
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
February 2, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
February 5, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
February 7, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
February 8, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
In-Person: 6th Annual Sober Housing Summit sponsored by the Housing & Workforce Development Committee
February 9, 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Greenfield Community College
Dining Commons
One College Drive
Greenfield, MA
Invite here.
Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
February 12, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
February 12, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
February 13, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
February 21, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee
March 8, 2024
10:00 AM -12:00 Noon
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 | |
Although the HEALing Communities Study has officially ended, many strategies and programs will continue.
Please see the following for information regarding the study highlights and strategies.
Learn more at HealTogetherMA.org
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Updated Emergency Resources for
Unhoused Individuals
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Time Sensitive Announcements | |
January 10 - February 14 Wednesdays - Active Parenting of Teens | |
January 11 - February 15 Thursdays Positive Discipline | |
January 20 Stone Soup Cafe Menu | |
January 20 Winter Farmers Market | |
January 20 Winter Ecology Walk | |
January 21 Craft Day with the Friends - 1pm
Erving Public Library
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January 25 Virtual Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training: Register here.
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January 26 Moms' Connection Support Group | |
January 25 & February 1 (Every Thursday) Free! Children's Closet | |
February 1 - March 28 Thursdays Bilingual Music & Movement
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February 1 Ski United '24: Registration Deadline January 29th | |
February 2 - 4 Greenfield's 102nd Winter Carnival | |
February 2 Parade of Lights!! | |
REGISTRATION CLOSES February 2
February 5 - May 6 Mondays Young Business People
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February 3 Winter Carnival Cribbage Tournament | |
February 3 Valentine Card Making | |
February 5 Board of Health Opioid Listening Session | |
February 7 Hands-Only CPR Course | |
February 8 Together We Can Be The Dream | |
February 9 & 10 Resilience Rising
Tickets can be purchased here
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Resilience Rising: A Fundraiser For Nelcwit
Join us for a night of community and live theater! This review show is sure to be a night to remember. We will make our way through Broadway favorites as we raise money for NELCWIT. This event will feature many special guests from our beautiful community and is underwritten by Greenfield Savings Bank.
Ticket Prices: General Admission (Adult) - $15 Children (12 and under) - $12 Senior Citizen (65 and over) - $12 All Star (General + Donation) - $25
Rated: G Running time: 90 minutes (one intermission) Note: Strobe and Special Lighting Effects will be used throughout the show.
Venue: Ja'Duke Theater, 110 Industrial Blvd Turners Falls MA 01376
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February 13 Prevention Starts With All:
The Chris Herren Story
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February 17 Annual St. Jude's Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser | |
February 17 6th Annual Loving Your Recovery Event | |
February 23 Snow Tubing Community Day | |
March 22 Rooted in Resilience
Additional Information & Registration Information Can Be Found Here.
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MONTHLY/WORKSHOP CALENDERS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
Improving Housing to Improve Health News | |
Re-Entry Foundational Manufacturing Program | |
January Franklin County Reentry Center Calendar | |
January Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
January Brick House Programs | |
January at Community Action Family Center | |
January - March LifePath Healthy Living 2024 Winter Workshops | |
January - March Union 28 Community Network for Children Program Calendar | |
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 - Friday
Movement Group with North Quabbin Recovery Center Peer Leaders
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Mondays North Quabbin Patch Parents' Council | |
Mondays Art Guild Meetings | |
Mondays Advanced Manufacturing Info Sessions | |
Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin | |
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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Mondays and Wednesdays
Restless, Irritable, and Discontent: Your Brain in Recovery
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Tuesdays
Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle
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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 | |
Wednesdays - Housing Navigator Sessions at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC | |
Wednesdays Men's Support Group:
Keep Moving Forward
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First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
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 | |
First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic at the RP | |
Every First & Third Friday - Grandparents & Kinship Support Group | |
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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