December 6, 2024: Issue 23
Offering hope and help to those impacted by opioid misuse in
Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
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"Authority Works to Expand Housing Options"
Greenfield Recorder (11/xx/24)
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In his first few months at the helm of the Greenfield Housing Authority, Executive Director Jack Redman is working to expand affordable and accessible housing.
Redman, who spent the last 17 years working in low-income housing management — the last seven years of which as the senior manager of public housing and Section 8 for the Northampton Housing Authority — is now in charge of overseeing the approximately 114 two-to-five-bedroom homes that the Greenfield Housing Authority operates. He was hired to serve following the departure of his predecessor, Thomas Guerino, who was hired in 2020.
In his new role, Redman applied for Community Preservation Act funding to start the Greenfield Housing Authority Security Deposit and Rental Assistance Fund and make renovations at the 1 Elm Terrace Winslow Building.
“It would help our voucher participants be able to stay competitive in the search for housing,” Redman said. “[Tenants] often struggle to utilize the rent vouchers we issue, because they may not have first, last and security; whereas a typical non-low income renter may have savings and may be more competitive when going into the private market, which is very, very competitive in this area.”
As of May 2023, individuals earning an annual income of less than $53,000, two-family households earning less than $63,800, and three-family households making less than $71,750 qualify for a rental voucher. According to the U.S. Census, the median household income in Greenfield was $53,149 in 2022.
Under Redman’s leadership, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership awarded the Greenfield Housing Authority $35,000 to plan the development of a five-story housing structure at 300 Conway St. Greenfield Housing Associates Inc., for which Redman also serves as executive director, has contributed roughly $40,000 toward the construction project.
Redman said Massachusetts Housing Partnership leaders have already toured the Conway Street site and the Greenfield Housing Authority is already seeking additional CPA funds for the planned development. Alongside an effort to build more affordable housing, Redman said that through the use of voucher programs, landlord education seminars and grant funds, he hopes to expand the city’s Section 8 — or government subsidized — housing stock.
“We’re working on next steps for that [project] and we are excited to continue down the path of creating housing here in Greenfield, which there’s such a great need for,” Redman said. “Our Section 8 expansion is something that myself and the team is working very hard on. We’ve already come up with the baseline for the education program, and we’ll be starting to advertise our first meeting for December.”
Housing Greenfield Coordinator Susan Worgaftik has previously estimated that another 600 to 1,000 housing units are needed to support the city’s current population.
“Overall, accessible housing for the disabled
is going to be, and has always been, a great need throughout Massachusetts and throughout the housing world,” Redman said. “As I look at our existing land, I want to work with development partners in the area, work with the [Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority] to try to assist that population. That is a very difficult need to fill and a great one.” (RECORDER PHOTO)
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"Addiction, Mental Health Rehab Comes to City"
Greenfield Recorder (11/30/24)
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The regional human services organization Behavioral Health Network Inc. has begun a new 16-bed addiction and mental health rehabilitation program for women at its Kenwood Street location.
“Recovery is never a one-size-fits all approach,” BHN Senior Vice President Rose Evans said in a statement. “We are committed to providing each person with a tailored treatment plan that empowers them to achieve long-term stability and success in all areas of life.”
Northern Star, which BHN Senior Vice President Katherine Mague referred to as an “enhanced residential treatment program,” supports women who are challenged by both mental health issues and substance abuse over a two-to-three-month period with counseling, group therapy and peer support.
Mague said BHN staff will create individualized treatment plans for women seeking help at the 21 Kenwood St. location. Services offered at the facility include diagnostic evaluations and referrals for medications for opioid use disorder. The program also includes aftercare planning to ensure participants have the resources they need to maintain their recovery after returning to their communities. Mague said the new program aims to fill a need among women in Franklin County that was previously only available in Hampden County. The service was available for Franklin County men, however.
“Across the Pioneer Valley, we’ve made adjustments over the years with which programs are in which locations, based on the demand,” Mague recounted. “For many years, we had a detox level of care, which is a medically moderated, intensive in-patient [clinic] up in Greenfield at the Franklin Recovery Center. But we found that people in the Franklin County area weren’t really needing that level of care very much, so we were bussing people from Springfield up to Greenfield.” However, trends shifted, she explained, and BHN shifted its services to reflect that change.
“We found that there were a number of women from Franklin County who needed this enhanced residential rehabilitation service level of care,” Mague said of more recent trends. “Because we didn't have that in Franklin County, we were bussing those women down to Springfield.” Northern Star supports women who face both mental health issues and substance abuse challenges — issues that Mague said often go hand-in-hand, but, historically, have been treated separately. The program is available to women ages 18 and older. BHN offers a range of addiction recovery services across western Massachusetts that include inpatient acute treatment, clinical stabilization services, residential recovery homes, transitional support services, outpatient
treatment, recovery coaching and alcohol education for drivers through the Massachusetts Impaired Driving Program.
“It’s really wonderful to have this level of care ... because it really does acknowledge and recognize that people very often experience both. They either have a mental health condition that they’re medicating with substances, or with substance use and misuse, they have subsequent mental health challenges,” Mague said of Northern Star. “We can now serve women with mental health and substance use treatment who need residential care in Franklin County. … Now they don’t have to go down to Springfield.”
(STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ)
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Congratulations to Franklin County Sheriff's Office | |
Each year the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association President and Executive Director chooses an honoree as the recipient of the Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr. Award. This year, the prestigious award was presented to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in recognition of their innovative excellence in the delivery of compassionate care within the arena of substance use disorder treatment. As a mentor site for agencies both regionally and nationally, the office has inspired countless others toward the critical value of incorporating sustainable treatment environments within the criminal justice domain. | |
UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS | |
Virtual: Treatment & Recovery Committee
December 6, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Emergency Services for Unhoused Individuals Task Force
December 9, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Workgroup
December 9, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Education & Prevention Committee
December 10, 2024
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: CAM Workgroup
December 10, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Methadone Workgroup
December 12, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Zoom details here.
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Virtual: Housing & Workforce Development Committee
December 13, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Building a Resilient Community Workgroup
December 18, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom details here.
Virtual: Harm Reduction Workgroup
January 8, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Zoom details here.
Hybrid: Public Safety & Justice Committee
February 3, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Franklin County Reentry Center
106 Main Street, Greenfield
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 | |
Time Sensitive Announcements | |
Stone Soup Cafe Gluten-Free Holiday Bake Sale | |
Sundays Through December 22 Fill Al's Truck | |
December 6 & 7 The Drag Family in Home for the Holigays! | |
December 6 - 8 2024 AOTV Auction | |
December 6 - 8 Jingle Fest 2024 | |
December 6 & 13 Story Time | |
December 6-8 and 13-14 Welcoming Winter Wonderland | |
December 7 Holiday Bazaar | |
December 7 Pack the Paddy Wagon & Pictures with Santa | |
December 7 Greenfield Farmers' Market Winter Market | |
December 7 Drop-In Makerspace Paper Snowflakes | |
December 7 Booklace Workshop | |
December 7 The Amazing Race: Jingle Fest Edition | |
December 7 Stone Soup Cafe Menu | |
December 7 Pictures with Santa | |
December 9 Greenfield Healing Clinic | |
December 10 RML READS Adult Book Club | |
December 11 Local Author Talk with Elaine Harootunian Reardon | |
December 12 Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training
Register Here
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December 12 & 19 Practical Magic Series With Kaia | |
December 13 Gingerbread House Contest | |
December 13 It's a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls | |
Annual Downtown Holiday Event - It's a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls
Shops are open until 8pm along Avenue A and Third Street.
SANTA arrives at Spinner Park (Avenue A and Fourth Street) to collect the letters from the magic mailbox at 6:30pm!
KIDS' ACTIVITY: Create a Winter Bird feeder. The Gift Shop is OPEN. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, 4-8PM.
Film screening of the classic meeting at Great Falls Harvest, on a loop from 5-9pm
Free roasted chestnuts!
OPEN HOUSE at Hired Hand Signs, 34 Third St., 4-8pm
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December 13 Brick House Open House | |
December 13 Tandem Jump "It's a Wonderful Life" | |
December 13 & 14 Wendell Holiday Craft Fair | |
December 13-15 Welcome Yule | |
December 14 North Quabbin Midnight Madness | |
December 14 Millers Falls Magic | |
MILLERS FALLS MAGIC - in downtown Millers Falls hosted by the Montague Community Improvement Association (MFCIA) with support from downtown business owners,
Montague Public Libraries and RiverCulture.
HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
Miller Falls Library, 23 Bridge St., 1:30-3:30PM
$10 donation appreciated. Materials Provided! Sponsored by MIFA and Montague Public Libraries. https://montaguepubliclibraries.org/
PUB GENERAL HOLIDAY POP UP
27 East Main Street, 9am-6PM
We’re a shop in Millers Falls supporting local! 40+ local vendors! Artisans, gifts, vintage, etc. Gifts by local artisans include holiday décor, vintage, quilting and fabric arts, local honey and maple products, cookies, chocolates, pickles and jams. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553000663655
CHAOS CORNER, Toddler Indoor Playground
26 E Main Street, 1-3pm
Cookies and Playtime with Santa
Regular Priced Admission required for entrance: $10.50 per child plus $5 for attending adult. Includes a chance to win a raffle prize! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563416205727
ELDRITCH GOODS
26 Bridge Street, 10AM-5PM
“I sell antique, vintage, used, and junk items, including art, furniture, glassware, cookware, games and tools. I also stock any kind of vintage media and ephemera including comics, magazines, LP's, photographs, postcards, newspapers and books. I have a smattering of clothing, jewelry, and oddball items. I also stock a healthy bunch of marbles of all kinds, handmade and machine-made, old and new.”
ELEMENT BREWING POP-UP SHOP
16 Bridge Street, 1-6PM
Holiday Sip & Shop: We are bringing together art, science, and beer by gathering a handful of local artisans for all of your holiday shopping needs. The best part is that you can grab a pint of beer or a specialty cocktail to enjoy while you mingle with these talented artists! Vendors: Wild Ash Designs, Creatures Who Craft, Teatimes, Sweet E Naturally Crafted Soap, Sandy's Blue Bird Houses, Darcy Dyes, Art By Miss K. Live music: Solo guitarist Gabe Jay playing from 1:30 - 3:30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/929674158509409
And don't forget to stop by for a meal at a local bar or restaurant:
WHISTLE STOP CAFE: 29 E. Main Street
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063483733587
MILLERS PUB: 25 E. Main Street
Fresh pressed burgers from Whitney Hill Farm, wings. Fresh cut fries, Haddock and Scallops+ Daily Specials. KARAOKE with Dirty Johnny at 9pm.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054272060061
NORTH VILLAGE SMOKEHOUSE: Federal Street
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063640937572
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December 14 Wreath Making Workshop | |
December 15 Happy Ho Ho Ho | |
December 17 *SAVE THE DATE" Three County CoC Annual Meting | |
December 18 Nitazenes And Other Drug Trends with Dr. Traci Green
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December 18 A Dramatic Reading of Charles Dickens'
A Christmas Carol
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December 18 Folded Paper Luminaries | |
December 19 Community Legal Aid's Disability Rights Project with Attorney Katie Madison
Register here.
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December 19 Winter Traditions Make & Take Bazaar | |
December 20 Cookie Decorating! | |
December 21 Gingerbread Houses | |
December 21 Five Village Santa Tour | |
December 22 Fright Before Christmas | |
Beginning January 7 - Nurturing Fathers 13-Week Virtual Class | |
January 30, February 6 & February 13 Touchpoints Training | |
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MONTHLY WORKSHOP CALENDRS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS | |
December at The Art Garden | |
December at Community Action Family Center | |
December Events at the Erving Senior Center | |
December Programs at Franklin County Reentry Center | |
December Programs - Great Falls Discovery Center | |
December Montague Public Library Programs | |
December Riverculture (Montague) Holiday Event Calendar | |
December at Salasin Project | |
December Events at Sunderland Public Library | |
December Union 28 Community Network for Children Program Calendar | |
SNAP Application Assistance | |
Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield | |
What's Happening at The NQRC | |
RECOVER Project Groups At a Glance | |
Weekdays All Recovery Meeting at The RECOVER Project | |
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 Breathwork Detox-Guided Group Adventure | |
Mondays North Quabbin Patch Parents' Council | |
Mondays Breaking Barriers at the Franklin County Reentry Center | |
Mondays Art Guild Meetings | |
Mondays Advanced Manufacturing Info Sessions | |
Monday Drug Court Alumni Group - North Quabbin | |
Mondays Community Yoga at Wildflower Alliance | |
Mondays at FCSO Reentry Center - Recovery Through Creativity | |
Mondays CNC Playgroup at the Erving Public Library | |
Second Mondays of the Month - North Quabbin B.R.A.V.E. Task Force Meetings | |
Mondays Alternatives to Suicide Group | |
2nd and 4th Mondays Parenting Together at the Brick House | |
Third Monday Alphabet & Allies | |
Third Monday Parenting With Pride | |
Mondays and Thursdays Hygiene Supplies Pick Up at the Brick House | |
Mondays and Thursdays The Brick House Food Pantry | |
Tuesdays All Recovery Meeting and Drop In Recovery Coach Support | |
Tuesdays Nurturing Program for Families in Recovery | |
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 Wednesday of the month Gentle Yoga and Breathwork with Jennifer | |
Whatever Wednesday's on the Second Wednesday of every month | |
Free Food - Every Third Wednesday | |
Last Wednesdays of Every month Office Hours With An Attorney | |
First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group | |
Thursdays Dungeons and Dragons | |
Thursdays Mens Group in the RPX | |
Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House | |
Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish | |
Second Thursdays -Peer Grief Support After Overdose Death | |
Fridays FreeWrite of Franklin County | |
Friday Writing Group at the RP | |
First Friday of Every Month: Open Mic at the RP | |
Every Friday - The Garden Path | |
MassHealth Navigation Support
First Friday of the month 9am-12pm and Third Friday of the month 1pm - 3pm
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Every First & Third Friday Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group | |
Every Second Friday Chosen Family Night | |
Every Third Friday: Karaoke at The RECOVER Project | |
Last Friday of the Month: Gardening in Recovery | |
Re-entry Workforce Program | |
Homeshare Program with LifePath | |
Pathways to Advanced Manufacturing | |
Specialized HVAC Training | |
Specialized Information Technology Training | |
SafeSpot Virtual Overdose Spotting Hotline | |
CHCFC OBAT Same Day & Tele-Health Appointment Information | |
Free Meals and Essentials at Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall | |
Come Cook with Franklin County Community Meals Program | |
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 |
Beginning Tuesday, 9.3.24, the Greenfield Court Service Center (CSC)services will be in-person and remote: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-1pm; 2pm-4:30 pm, and Fridays, 8:30-1pm.
For ANY/ALL REMOTE REQUESTS, please contact the Virtual Court Service Center, M-F 9am -2pm, if you do not have an emergency. You can reach them for an intake, Monday-Friday, 9am to 2pm, by Zoom video or telephone as outlined below:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615261140 or Dial (646) 828-7666. Enter the Meeting ID number 1615261140 and then press # #.
If you have an emergency, and still need remote services, have the court department reach out directly to Greenfield CSC office by email for assistance at greenfieldcsc@jud.state.ma.us.
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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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