February 16, 2024: Issue 4
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"DA Lands Grant to Combat Human Trafficking" ~ Greenfield Recorder (2/7/2024) |
" Several state grants meant to improve public safety and combat human trafficking have been awarded to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, along with federal dollars appropriated by the state to several other organizations within the Pioneer Valley.
The Northwestern DA’s office received a combined $153,141 from two state grants, part of an overall $2.3 million given to law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts. The office received $60,141 from the state’s Human Trafficking Enforcement and Training Program, and another $93,000 from the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
The money from the human trafficking grant will be used to train police officers and prosecutors in investigating suspected trafficking, and allow for several officers to attend conferences and seminars focused on how to conduct investigations via social media and the dark web.
“Human trafficking victims are often not in a position to be able to make a report to the police, for a variety of reasons,” said Jennifer Suhl, deputy district attorney with the Northwestern DA’s office. “So it’s important that when we start from there, we have to go out and seek the investigation. We have to find the victims and find the perpetrators by being proactive in investigating the crimes.”
The grant also provides for training in collaboration with the Children’s Advocacy Center, with education for police officers, medical personnel and school employees, all of whom are required by law to report child abuse if they have knowledge of it. The courses provide them more information and education about the complications that arise when investigating child trafficking and sexual abuse.
“The issue of child sexual exploitation can happen to the children within our community, ” Suhl said. “The idea is to raise awareness for those individuals that come into regular contact with children and families so that
they can identify when it starts early, and before something worse happens to them.”
All other district attorney ’s offices in Massachusetts also received grant funding through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, as well as the Massachusetts State Police, whose barracks in Springfield and Holyoke received $160,000.
In addition to the two state grants, the Northwestern DA’s office also received $124,000 in federal dollars from the STOP program issued through the Violence Against Women Act.
The grant allows a continuation of the office’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project, which connects survivors of domestic violence with advocates from groups like Behavioral Health Network and the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, giving access to resources such as safety planning, acquiring restraining orders and resource referrals.
“We’ve had the grant program for about 20 years now,” Suhl said. “We just have to constantly reapply for it to continue to fund this particular program.”
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"155K To Expand Workplace Training for Inmates" ~Greenfield Recorder (2/10/2024) |
"The Franklin County Community Development Corporation is expanding its work helping incarcerated and recently released individuals enter the workforce, thanks to a $155,000 grant from the state Executive Office of Economic Development’s Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program.
This is the second consecutive year the CDC has received this grant, having gotten $94,000 last year. However, Executive Director John Waite and Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center Director of Operations Liz Buxton said this money will be used a little differently as it is supporting the organization’s “After Incarceration: Ending the Cycle Through Workplace Training and Entrepreneurship” program.
“This year, we’re concentrating a lot more on going into the jails to do training and classes on entrepreneurship,” Buxton said. “We’ve been doing that for entrepreneurs and this round we’re hoping to include that population in this kind of training.”
The CDC has been working with former and currently incarcerated people, as well as local re-entry programs, in this way since 2015.
“We think it’s a good option for people coming out of there. … We want to show we can support and give them a place to start,” Waite said. “Some of our current staff are people who came through this program. The results are there.”
The grant will fund two additional staff members at the Wells Street food processing center through June, with a strong likelihood of full-time employment after that period; support the development and implementation of workshops at the Franklin and Hampshire county houses of correction; recruit formerly incarcerated individuals to participate in a twoday food safety and product development course with the University of Massachusetts Amherst; and allow the CDC to partner with local organizations to educate folks and businesses on the benefits of employing formerly incarcerated individuals.
In working with those who have been involved in the criminal justice system, Buxton said people who find steady employment coming out of jail are often more successful and the CDC can provide flexible opportunities for them.
The CDC, for example, is a “recovery-supported workplace” and can work around people’s schedules if they have appointments or other obligations. The agency also works with organizations such as Community Action Pioneer Valley and Working Fields to provide more resources to people working with the CDC.
“If they come through one of the programs, we’re giving them job skills and training,” Buxton said. “Housing and transportation are two of the biggest issues with a lot of these guys and a lot of them are in recovery. … We want them to succeed and support them in any way we can, and flexibility is important with that.”
“Liz talks about second chances and that’s what we’re about,” Waite added.
“Some of our current staff are people who came through this program. … We can’t hire everybody, but we can give them work experience and then we can give them references.”
(Staff File Photo/Paul Franz)
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE MEETINGS | |
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
February 21, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
March 1, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
March 6, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
March 11, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
March 18, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
April 1, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
April 9, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
April 11, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
April 12, 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 | |
Updated Emergency Resources for
Unhoused Individuals
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Time Sensitive Announcements | |
February 1 - March 28 Thursdays Bilingual Music & Movement
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February 16 Exploring Visual Identity Inspired by Street Art | |
February 17 Sone Soup Cafe Menu | |
February 17 Winter Farmers Market | |
February 17 Annual St. Jude's Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser | |
February 17 6th Annual Loving Your Recovery Event | |
February 17 Winter HooPla! | |
February 17 Arc-a-Palooza | |
February 19 - February 23 Free Lunch Program | |
February 19 - February 24 School Vacation Programs | |
February 21 - 24 HYRT 2024 Winter Intensive | |
February 22 (Every Thursday) Free! Children's Closet | |
February 22 Graphic Novel Book Club! | |
February 22 Sewing Makerspace | |
February 24 Owl Music For Families | |
February 24 Make Your Own Creative Bookmark | |
February 26 & 27 Make-A-Stuffie | |
February 27 Prevention Starts With All - Chris Herren | |
February 29 Virtual Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training
Register Here
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February 29 Building Bridges and Belonging | |
March 1 North Quabbin Seasonal Gathering Winter Edition | |
March 9 Old School Dodgeball Tournament | |
March 18 Positive Solutions for Families | |
March 18 Financial Literacy Workshop
(8 Week Course on Mondays)
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March 22 Rooted in Resilience | |
April 2 Greenfield Public Library Presents Jarrett Krosoczka | |
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MONTHLY/WORKSHOP CALENDERS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
Improving Housing to Improve Health News | |
Re-Entry Foundational Manufacturing Program | |
February Franklin County Reentry Center Calendar | |
February at Community Action Family Center | |
February Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
February Brick House Programs | |
February Montague Public Libraries Programs | |
February Children's Programs at Greenfield Public Library | |
February at the RECOVER Project | |
February Events at the Sunderland Public Library | |
February - March LifePath Healthy Living 2024 Winter Workshops | |
February - 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/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 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 | |
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 - 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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Last Wednesday of the Month Office Hours With An Att | |
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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