May 17, 2024: Issue 10
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Annual 'Food-a-Thon' Returns" ~ Athol Daily News (5/9/24)
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North Quabbin residents can look forward to seeing pickle jar collectors on the street and hearing the 12-hour Food-A-Thon drive on the air to help combat a growing need.
The fundraiser and food collection drive, now in its 20th year, will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and can be seen on AOTV, heard on WVAO-LP 105.9FM, and streamed online at www.aotv13.org. In addition, volunteers with pickle jars will be on the streets to seek donations. Contributions of food or money will both be accepted.
Food-A-Thon Steering Committee member Jay Deane said that even after all these years, the demand is higher, which can be frightening at times.
“Seeing the homeless encampments, there’s so many things we can do and a warm place and food is a basic need,” he said.The Food-A-Thon is a 12-hour series of interviews and discussions, with Deane, his brother Don, and Dean Collins on the interview panel. Deane credited Congressman Jim McGovern as being a strong supporter of the charity, along with state Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and state Rep. Susannah Whipps (I-Athol). During the 12 hours, people from the benefitting food pantries and businesses that make donations will join the show.
“You get going with that, the adrenaline just pumps,” said Deane. “Like saying hello to an old friend and catching up on what is happening to their organization. It’s just great, it’s really great.”
Joe Goody is the manager of the Athol/Orange Hannaford’s, which has been a supporter of the event since its inception. Goody said that the store makes different donations each year, such as a cash donation of $7,500 or 1,400 pounds of food for the Food-A-Thon’s 14th year. He said that an event like this fits into the company’s mission of addressing food insecurities.
Goody added that many of the food pantries that benefit from the Food-A-Thon have been in the store to pick up food to stock their shelves.
“Amy said it would be great to get a trunk of food,” Deane said. “We filled two 18-foot box trucks and raised $13,000 in 12 hours.” When COVID hit, the food donations slowed down, but monetary contributions increased to between $38,000 and $50,000 annually.
The Food-A-Thon will benefit the Franklin County Community Meals Program, The Athol Salvation Army, Our Lady Immaculate Church Food Pantry, Community Pantry at Athol High School, St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry at Saint Mary’s Church and the fiscal sponsor, Wendell Good Neighbors Food Pantry. The money raised is evenly split between the six beneficiaries, said Deane.
The annual drive is staffed by over 100 volunteers, and members of the pantries also send people to help. Area grocery stores such as Market Basket and Hannaford’s also make contributions.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.nqfoodathon.com. Contributions can be made any time of year through PayPal and Venmo. Checks can also be made out and sent to: Wendell Good Neighbors, P-O Box 222, Wendell, Mass. 01379, with “Food-A-Thon 2024” in the memo line.
| (Staff File Photo/Dan Little) | |
Free Community Screening of
'Sex Trafficking in America'
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A free community screening of the Frontline documentary “Sex Trafficking in America” will be offered at Greenfield Garden Cinema as part of a community education initiative undertaken by the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Hampshire County and Franklin County/North Quabbin.
The documentary follows investigations into cases of human trafficking and features interviews with survivors of human trafficking as well as members of law enforcement.
The film screening will be followed by a live panel discussion including a survivor of human trafficking, staff members of the two Children’s Advocacy Centers and Northampton Police Captain of Operations Victor Caputo.
The event is set for Wednesday, May 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the Greenfield Garden Cinema, 361 Main St., Greenfield.
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The OTF is Hiring!
The Opioid Task Force is hiring! Come work for the award-winning CONNECT Program, our post-opioid overdose outreach and follow-up effort, which deploys a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses in rural Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
We are looking for a full-time CONNECT Outreach Manager. This position has excellent benefits and a competitive salary listed in the job description.
Applications are due Friday, May 31, 2024, with an ideal start date of Monday, July 8, 2024. Please email a cover letter and resume to Cathi Emery at cathi@opioidtaskforce.org.
The job description can be found here. Any further revisions will be dated and posted. (Note: The deadline was extended.)
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UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS | |
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: Treatment & Recovery Committee
June 7, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
June 10, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
June 10, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Education & Prevention Committee
June 11, 2024
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
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.
Virtual: Healthcare Solutions Committee
July 12, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 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 | |
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 18 Just Roots Annual Spring Festival & Seedling Sale | |
May 18 Japanese Folktales & Origami with Motoko! | |
May 18 Paint a Kindness Rock | |
May 18 Provider Open House | |
May 18 Leyden Running Festival | |
May 18 Book, Bake and Plant Sale | |
May 18 North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy Walk-a-Thon | |
May 18 Day of Remembrance | |
May 19 Sensory StoryTime with Tierney Sodders | |
May 19 Car Seat Installation & Safety Check | |
May 19 Monadnock Falconry Bird-of-Prey Demonstration | |
May 20 Maker Space Monday | |
May 20 & May 21 All-Abilities Social Prom | |
May 20 & May 29 Virtual Housing Plan Listening Sessions
Monday, May 20th 5:30 – 7:30 PM Register here
Wednesday, May 29th 5:30 – 7:30 PM Register here
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May 21 North Quabbin Foodathon | |
May 21 Button Art
May 28 Suncatchers
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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 24 Queer Family Night | |
May 25 Wendell Free Library StoryCraft | |
May 29 Community Screening - Sex Trafficking in America | |
May 29 - June 29 Free College Success Course | |
May 31 West County People Who Support People Meeting | |
June 1 Freedom Songwriting | |
June 2 Montague Soap Box Races | |
June 3, 10, 17 & 23 Welcoming Wellness Workshop | |
June 6 Western Mass Elder Care Conference | |
June 7 Puerto Rico Day Celebration | |
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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