June Newsletter

The Charlestown Coalition News:

Issue 82

June 2023

Call to Action and Upcoming Trainings

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE STRUGGLING, PLEASE REACH OUT FOR HELP.

STEPS YOU CAN TALE TO STAY SAFE AND BE PREPARED WHEN IT COMES TO FENTANYL.

1.) Educate yourself: Learn about the risks associated with fentanyl, its potency, and its potential to be mixed with other substances.

2.) Do not take drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor or obtained from a licensed pharmacy.

3.) Test your substances: If you must use substances use a fentanyl test kit to detect the presence of fentanyl or other dangerous substances.

4.) Carry naloxone: Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Consider carrying a naloxone kit with you, and learn how to use it properly - you can obtain this at your local pharmacy.

5.) Seek help: If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, seek help from a healthcare professional, addiction specialist, or support group.

6.) Spread awareness: Share information about fentanyl and the risks associated with it with your friends, family, and community.

SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MAY BE EXPERIENCING AN OVERDOSE:

-Breathing problems, including slow or shallow breathing or choking sounds

- Bluish tint to the skin or lips

- Pinpoint pupils or blurry vision

- Cold and clammy skin

- Extreme fatigue or confusion

- Inability to speak or respond

- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness

It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.

The Charlestown Trauma Response Hotline is available for anyone to use at any time for assistance. We can also arrange to get Narcan for anyone calling the hotline.

(617) 726-0058 during business hours (9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.)
(617) 643-0449 after hours (5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.)

Please allow up to 24-48 hours for a response back. If you are in immediate risk, please call 911 or go to your closest emergency room. If you have questions please contact, Phenice Zawatsky at (617) 726-0058.

Juneteenth Events

Thank you to the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center for having us for both their Juneteenth events this month. Mswati led a thoughtful discussion of race and the meaning of Juneteenth, and then we had the opportunity to learn about Sickle Cell Disease and how it impacts Black Americans at a staggering rate.

Charlestown Pride Week

June has so many opportunities for us to be out and about and connecting with community. We had such a great time during Bunker Hill Week at the Block Party, March Against Drugs and the Parade.

Race Dialogues Three Year Celebration

The Charlestown community came together in honor of three years of Race and Equity Dialogues. Held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Charlestown Peace Park, the effort is spearheaded by Youth Programs Manager Mswati Hanks, Senator Lydia Edwards, and Boston City Councilor Gigi Coletta.

Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the Charlestown community and particularly the Turn It Around youth wanted to find a way to have authentic and vulnerable conversations about race, policing, and community despite the turmoil and vitriol of the social and political climate. Over the past three years, the coalition, its colleagues, and the community have created a safe space to share difficult truths with one another, and the staff looks forward to many more healing dialogues in the years to come.

The anniversary event was well attended, with Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Boston Police Department superintendents and officers, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Councilor Coletta, MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center staff, our TIA young people, and many more commemorating this special event.

See you for next month's Dialogues!

Bunker Hill Redevelopment Groundbreaking

It was an honor to attend the official groundbreaking for the Bunker Hill Housing Redevelopment. We are honored to work with and alongside the Charlestown Resident Alliance, Boston Housing Authority, and many more organizations to help usher in a new era of affordable and mixed income housing in Charlestown.

Charlestown High Graduation

We are honored to have such a close partnership with Charlestown High, and are so proud of the graduates, many of whom we have watched grow from preteens to young adults!

ANNOUNCING: Charlestown Summer Series!

It is our pleasure to announce officially our Summer Series! The Charlestown Coalition was graciously awarded a Summer Grant from the City of Boston Office of Community Safety to create pro-social and fun community events this summer in Charlestown. We will be releasing more information on each session, but save these dates - we will see you soon for some much-needed community connection!

Community Partner Spotlight:

This month, we want to acknowledge Sean Breen, the Neighborhood Liaison for Charlestown. Sean not only makes it a point to show up to any and all community events, he works tirelessly around the clock to listen to residents and help them access resources to support the community!

Recently, we have had the pleasure of working closely with Sean to plan our Summer Series, and he has been incredibly helpful. Make sure you subscribe to his newsletter, and introduce yourself if you haven't already! We appreciate you SO much, Sean.

Have someone to nominate? Reach out to Ciara!