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The Common Thread
The Common Thread
A publication of the North Quabbin Community Coalition
Page 1
May 2015 ~ Volume 31, Issue 10
Heather’s Highlights
Dear Readers,
Next Coalition
Forum:
May 15, 2015
9-10:30 am
Responding to the
Opioid Crisis in Our
Community
Athol-Orange
Elks Club
92 New Athol Road
Orange, MA
(Driving directions at
www.nqcc.org)
~
978-249-3703
info@nqcc.org
251 Exchange Street
Athol, MA 01331
“LESS SCREEN TIME, MORE GREEN TIME!” This catchy quote seemed to really
sum up the presentation by Dave Small of The Athol Bird and Nature Club at
this month’s forum.
Dave gave a dynamic presentation about the activities of the club, as well as a
whole-hearted plug to what hands-on experiences with nature can do for the
development of children. He mentioned all that the Miller’s River
Environmental Center has to offer and a new partnership with North Quabbin
Rehabilitation and Education using the site as well.
The club is known nationally for their unique work, and has connections to
some of the most recognized experts on nature. Once again proving North
Quabbin to be a place of pioneers and innovators! NQCC is a proud member
of the Bird and Nature Club, and suggests you think about supporting their
work as well!
Thank you for all that you do,
Heather Bialecki-Canning
Executive Director
Next newsletter
submission
deadline is May 20!
Email details to
admin@nqcc.org
Above: NQCC canoe paddlers Priscilla Reinertsen
and Cheyenne Voudren placed 3rd in the Annual
River Rat Race this year! Right: NQCC Substance
Abuse Prevention Task Force & Project Purple
march in the parade.
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The Common Thread
Opening of Alyssa’s Place: Peer
Recovery and Resource Center
Addiction support for those in recovery and
for families
Alyssa’s Place: Peer Recovery and Resource Center
opened April 19 to provide community peer recovery
support to those recovering from addictions and
provide resources and support to families. The A.E.D.
Foundation will operate this community peer recovery and resource center
that will provide assistance to people seeking help for substance use issues,
people in peer recovery, and people affected by the substance use of a friend
or loved one.
For people in early recovery and their loved ones, the resources available post
treatments are minimal. A facility that would serve to educate the community,
provide safe and substance free social and recreational opportunities without
fear of stigma or judgment, and social assistance via connectivity to new and
existing services to these people will fill a huge void in the substance use
treatment continuum.
Like us on
Facebook for
regular
updates on
NQCC
happenings
In spite of the well documented elevated rate of substance use and abuse, the
North Central Massachusetts has a disjointed, patchwork system of services
available to area residents. Alyssa’s Place will meet a need in our communities
for individuals and their loved ones to have the opportunity to seek guidance
and assistance from compassionate peers who have had personal experience
with treatment, recovery, and loved ones who are/were afflicted with
substance use disorders. Some activities scheduled will include movie nights,
karaoke, resume and job skills assistance, yoga, health and wellness, narcan
training, clothing exchange, and resources.
Alyssa’s Place is currently located at GAAMHA, 208 Coleman Street Extension,
Gardner, MA, until a permanent home is found. Initially it will be open three
days a week. Contact Michelle Dunn, A.E.D. Foundation, Inc., for more
information at 978-314-7889 or michelle@aedfoundationinc.org.
www.aedfoundationinc.org.
The Common Thread
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Visit www.nqcc.org/events.html often for our
comprehensive Calendar of Events!!
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Join the Free
TD Bank
Affinity
Membership
Program
Help raise money
for the NQCC by
opening an account
at TD Bank, or, if
you already have an
account with them,
letting them know
you want to join.
TD Bank will make
an annual
contribution to
NQCC based on the
average balance in
all NQCC members’
accounts.
Eligible accounts
include:




Checking
Money Market
Savings
Certificate of
Deposit
 IRA
Your accounts are
not affected in any
way by this
contribution.
For more info, visit
www.nqcc.org.
The Common Thread
Wildlife Rehabilitation and You
Have you ever found an injured wild animal and
wondered what to do about it? Join Sarah,
President of North Quabbin Wildlife, in a
presentation on wildlife rehabilitation. Sarah will
address this question, talk about her newly
formed organization, and tell stories about the
animals she’s worked with on May 13 at 7:00 pm at the Millers River
Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol. Wildlife rehabilitators offer more
than just emergency services to wild animals. Find out what other tricks they
have up their sleeves, and how they benefit you and your community.
Call Sarah at 978-407-4289 or nqwildlife@gmail.com to schedule events and
educational workshops, or for information on wildlife rehabilitation. They are
also starting to collect donated items to prepare their clinic to start caring for
wildlife. Here is a preliminary list of the types of items they are looking for.
Please share this list if you can: Pet carriers, aquariums, animal cages,
terrariums/reptariums, pet food dishes, dog igloos, aquarium thermometers,
fish nets, hav-a-heart traps, storage totes with lids, Tupperware containers,
drawer organizers, clip boards, large binder clips, dry erase marker boards,
medical supplies, stuffed animals, pack and play, receiving blankets, baby
bottles, plastic eye droppers, thermometers, fleece, sweatshirts, pillowcases,
sheets, heavy leather gloves, welding gloves, buckets, fans, hip waders,
microscope and chain link fencing. Second hand is acceptable!
Lucky Dog Raffle—Win $1,500!!
Adams Animal Hospital is running
a raffle to purchase play
equipment for the North Quabbin
Dog Park in Orange. Tickets are
$5.00 per chance with prizes of $1,500, $500, and $250 cash.
Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Grrr Gear, House of Paws
Pet Salon, Millers River Café, Herrick's Tavern, New Salem General Store, Mt.
Tully Kennels and Adams Animal Hospital. The winning ticket will be drawn
when all 2,500 tickets are sold.
The North Quabbin Dog Park is located at the Orange Municipal Airport, 80
Airport Street, Orange. It is open sunrise to sunset seven days per week. Visit
northquabbindogpark.webs.com/ or www.facebook.com/FriendsOfNQDP for
more information.
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Barbara Corey Award Nominations Sought
The 18th Annual Barbara Corey Award will be presented at the NQCC’s annual luncheon to be held
on June 19, 2015. We are asking for nominations for this important award. The award is named for
Barbara Corey, the first coordinator of the Coalition from 1984 until her retirement in 1997. Barbara
embodies the spirit of the Coalition because of her passion, her values, her commitment to
humanity and her love of the North Quabbin region. The award is presented to someone in the
North Quabbin Community who has gone above and beyond in their commitment to improving the
quality of life for those living and working in the region. To nominate someone, send us your name
and contact information and their name and a description of why you nominate them to:
info@nqcc.org (please put Barbara Corey Nomination in the Subject line), or NQCC B. Corey Award,
251 Exchange Street, Athol, MA 01331, or fax to 978-575-0474 (deadline is May 5.) Visit
www.nqcc.org/pdfs/corey.pdf for an online form. The award will be given at the NQCC Annual
Luncheon.
My Life, My Health Free Workshop
My Life, My Health (Chronic Disease Self-Management) is a free six-session
education program developed by Stanford University. Adults experiencing
chronic health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, heart
disease, stroke and lung disease, as well as family members, friends and
caregivers may attend.
My Life, My Health gives people the tools, skills,
confidence and motivation needed to manage the
challenges of living well with a chronic condition.
The next free workshop series takes place on
Tuesdays at the Valley Medical Group, Greenfield
Health Center, 329 Conway Street, Greenfield,
May 5 through June 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Adults
of all ages, family members and/or caregivers are all
welcome!
Preregister by May 1 by contacting Lesley Kayan,
Healthy Living Program Coordinator, at 413.773.5555
x 2297 or lkayan@fchcc.org.
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Court Service
Center and
Probate &
Family Court
Assistance
Available
The Court Service
Center (CSC) and
Probate & Family
Court will be available
at the Orange District
Court, One Court
Square, Orange, on
May 20 and June 17
from 9:00 am to 12:00
pm. The CSC provides
legal information, not
advice, in the
following areas:
Probate and Family
Court: Divorce and
custody-supportvisitation; child
support and child
support modification
s (litigants whom
have experienced a
substantial change in
circumstances should
come in for
assistance with this
as child support
cannot be modified
going back);
guardianship of a
minor; grandparent
visitation; and
contempt.
Housing Court:
General information;
community
resources; transfers
to housing court, and
motions/answers.
District Court:
Section 35.
The Common Thread
De-Normalizing Tobacco Use by Youth
By Tina Grosowsky, Project Coordinator
Central MA Tobacco Free Community Partnership
A recent study by the Institute of Medicine looks at the public health implications
of raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products. Experts at the
IOM concluded that increasing the minimum legal access age from 18 to 21 will have
a positive impact on reducing youth initiation of tobacco use; particularly in
adolescents aged 15 to 17. If the minimum legal age was raised to 21 now, by the
time today’s teenagers are adults, we would see a 12% decrease in smoking rates.
Many municipalities in Worcester County have worked tirelessly to adopt a variety
of policies—like eliminating the sale of single cheap cigars, limiting the number of
new tobacco sellers and removing flavored tobacco from stores that minors
frequent—that, when taken together, can have real impact on youth tobacco use.
It’s encouraging to have another evidence-based strategy to employ.
Most of the policies cities and towns use to prevent youth tobacco use are aimed
at reducing the tobacco industry’s influence. Without local regulation, the tobacco
companies target young people with products that are cheap, sweet, and easy to
get. While raising the
minimum sales age to 21
helps reduce youth access, it
alone does not eliminate the
sales to minors or impact
other access channels. For
this reason, the strategy of
raising the minimum sale
age to 21 is just one of
several key strategies to be
used by municipalities to
reduce youth smoking.
Spotlight Award
The goal of the
Massachusetts Tobacco
Cessation and Prevention
Program is to de-normalize
tobacco use by youth. We
know how to achieve a
tobacco-free generation and,
with coordinated actions and
investments, we can get
there.
April's NQCC's Spotlight Award went to the
North Quabbin Food-A-Thon Committee for
their tireless work over the years raising
money and collecting food for area food
pantries. This year's Food-A-Thon will take
place on May 19. To nominate someone,
email info@nqcc.org with Spotlight Award
in the Subject line.
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Dual Recovery Program Now Offered in Orange
Dual Recovery Anonymous, a 12-step program for people who have a mental health diagnosis and
an addiction, is now offered in Orange. There is a group discussion and time for everyone to talk.
The program is located at the Quabbin House, 25 West Main Street, in Orange. The meetings are
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 to 7 :00 pm. Contact the Quabbin House for more information
at 978-544-1859.
Athol-Royalston School Depar tment Considering
School Nurse Narcan Training
Peter Buck from the Athol Police Department and Sue Christensen from the Massachusetts Opioid
Abuse Prevention Collaborative met with the Policy Subcommittee of the Athol-Royalston School
Department regarding the importance of school nurses being trained in Narcan use and having it
accessible at the schools. The full committee is expected to vote on the issue.
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Court Service
Center and
Probate &
Family Court
Assistance
Available
The Court Service
Center (CSC) and
Probate & Family
Court will be available
at the Orange District
Court, One Court
Square, Orange, on
May 20 and June 17
from 9:00 am to 12:00
pm. The CSC provides
legal information, not
advice, in the
following areas:
Probate and Family
Court: Divorce and
custody-supportvisitation; child
support and child
support modification
s (litigants whom
have experienced a
substantial change in
circumstances should
come in for
assistance with this
as child support
cannot be modified
going back);
guardianship of a
minor; grandparent
visitation; and
contempt.
Housing Court:
General information;
community
resources; transfers
to housing court, and
motions/answers.
District Court:
Section 35.
Changes to Community Action’s Youth
Programs WIA Enrollment
Community Action Youth programs would
like to inform community partners and other
youth serving agencies of the recent changes
in federal law that impacts the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA ). The Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act
(WIOA ) will be enacted on July 1, 2015, eliminating the WIA program. The
change in the law will have a significant impact on enrollment of youth and
young adults in the program. Key changes include:

WIOA requires that 75% of youth that are enrolled in the program are out of
school youth.

WIOA eliminates the income eligibility guidelines for out of school youth 18
to 24 that have a barrier which includes youth that are pregnant/parenting,
disabled, juvenile/adult law enforcement involvement, homeless, DCF
involved, and DYS involved.
Youth Programs will not be enrolling any in school youth in the 2015 calendar
year, having reached the maximum number of in school youth that we can
serve. We are very aware of the loss of accessibility of the WIOA program for in
school youth who need support to graduate from high school. We are
committed to fostering and supporting relationships with young people who
are at risk of drop-out and offering opportunities through programming
provided by Youth Programs staff to receive short term support. Our goal is to
build relationships with in school youth, provide support, and enroll eligible high
school graduates into the WIOA program as out of school youth upon
graduation.
Youth Programs values the relationships we have built with our school and
community based partners and is committed to continuing to provide quality
workforce development programming to youth and young adults in our service
area. We appreciate your continued support during the transition to the WIOA
program and welcome any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this
matter.
Please contact Jen Hansen, Workforce Development Coordinator at 413-7747028 x796 or JHansen@communityaction.us for information regarding the
recent changes or to refer a young person.
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MOC Childcare & Head
Star t Services
MOC Childcare & Head
Start Services is taking
applications for three
and four year old
children for the 2015–
2016 school year. These are free
services for those who qualify.
Please bring birth certificate, proof of
income, and immunization records.
Call 800-523-6373 for an appointment
or come to the Open Recruitment
Days (until May 18), Monday through
Friday listed below:
 Mount Wachusett CC
Call Lise for an appointment at
978-630-9446
 Athol, 12 Riverbend Street
978-249-6735
 Gardner, 68 Coleman Street
978-630-2290
 Winchendon
Memorial School
978-297-9832
MOC Childcare and Head Start also
has full day/full year center-based and
family childcare options available for
eligible families year round. Please call
1-800-523-6373 or 978-630-2209 for
more information.
The Common Thread
Athol Bird & Nature Club
All events take place at
the Millers River
Environmental Center,
100 Main Street, Athol,
unless otherwise noted. More
information is available at
atholbirdclub.org.
Accessible Birding with Joe
May 12 from 8:00 to 10:00 am.
Open to birders of all abilities. Call
ahead for wheelchair van access,
978-248-9491.
Birding and Habitat Restoration
Field Trips
May 30 from 8:00 to 11:00 am. Arthur
Iversen Conservation Area, Gale
Road, Warwick.
June 6 from 8:00 to 11:00 am.
Fox Valley Conservation Area, 160
Lincoln Road, Phillipston.
Visit http://atholbirdclub.org/abncevents for details.
Wildlife Rehabilitation and You
ABNC Monthly Meeting
May 13 at 7:00 pm at the Center.
Join Sarah, President of the Quabbin
Wildlife, in a presentation on wildlife
rehabilitation. Sarah will address
this question, talk about her newly
formed organization, and tell stories
about the animals she’s worked
with. Wildlife rehabilitators offer
more than just emergency services
to wild animals. Find out what other
tricks they have up their sleeves, and
how they benefit you and your
community.
You’re Invited!
Like local food?
Farms and
gardens? Healthy
communities?
Come to the next bi-annual gathering
of the Greater Quabbin Food
Alliance! Meet new people and make
connections with others working to
strengthen our regional food system.
Ongoing projects include a regional
effort to get more local food in
cafeterias, jumpstarting more food
businesses in our area, establishing a
regional gleaning network, and
coordinating efforts to protect
farmland and help farmers. Bring
your ideas! Everyone is welcome;
snacks and a locally-made lunch will
be provided.
Date: Tuesday, June 9th
Time: Registration & coffee at
8:30 am. Meeting from 9:00 am to
1:00 pm. A tour of Clear View
Compost will take place at 1:30 pm.
Cost: FREE; donations greatly
appreciated.
Place: Orange Innovation Center, 131
West Main Street, Orange MA
Details & Registration:
quabbinfoodalliance.wordpress.com
Questions?
Call 978-248-2055 x29 or email
farmconservation_americorps@mou
ntgrace.org
Director of Community Outreach & Education Sought by NW District Attorney’s Office
The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office is seeking candidates for a Director of Community
Outreach & Education. The Director of Community Outreach & Education works in collaboration
with other NWDA units, community coalitions, schools, law enforcement, area social service
providers and state organizations to develop and implement a broad range of outreach programs
and trainings to prevent violence and crime and promote health and safety. For a full description
and application, visit http://www.northwesternda.org/employment-opportunities.
The Common Thread
Page 13
State Government Task Force Meetings
(for the North Quabbin Region)
Governor Charlie Baker
617-725-4005 or 888-870-7770 (in state)
Office of the Governor
Massachusetts State House, Room 280
Boston, MA 02133
Email: goffice@state.ma.us
Senator Anne Gobi
617-722-1540
Athol, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, and
Warwick
Massachusetts State House, Room 410
Boston, MA 02133
Email: anne.gobi@masenate.gov
Senator Stanley Rosenberg
617-722-1532
Erving, New Salem, Royalston, Wendell
Massachusetts State House, Room 320
Boston, MA 02133
Email: stan.rosenberg@masenate.gov
Representative Susannah Whipps Lee
978-895-9606
Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham,
Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick, and Wendell
352 Main Street
Athol, MA 01331
Email: susannah.whippslee@mahouse.gov
U.S. Congressman James McGovern
508-831-7356
34 Mechanic Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Website: http://mcgovern.house.gov/
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
617-565-3170
2400 JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
Website: http://www.warren.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Ed Markey
617-565-8519
15 New Sudbury Street
Boston, MA 02203
Website: http://www.markey.senate.gov
Substance Abuse Prevention: May 5 @ 10-11:30 am
NQ System of Care: June 15 @ 10-11:30 am
Childrens Health & Wellness: May 26 @ 10:00 am
Economic Development: May 27 @ 3:00 pm
NQCC Board of Directors
Chief Tim Anderson, President - Athol Police Department
Brian Gordon, Vice President - Mental Health Representative
Marc Ostberg, Treasurer - Hometown Bank
Chief R. Dana Cooley, Jr. - Petersham Police Department
Glenn Eaton - Montachusett Regional Planning Commission
Lynne Feldman - Franklin County Home Care Corp.
Frances Graziano - Community Representative
Michael Grimmer - Athol Memorial Hospital
Lt. Elliot Higgins - Salvation Army
Pat Moore - Community Representative
Steve Raymond - Athol Selectboard
Sharon Tracy - Quabbin Mediation
Jeanette Robichaud - Athol Area YMCA
Charles Winters - Community Representative
Coalition Membership
Membership in the Coalition is open to all agencies, religious
communities, business and industry, government officials, civic
groups and other interested individuals and organizations. The
Coalition holds monthly meetings (the third Friday of every
month except July & August) on relevant topics, facilitates
monthly task forces on critical local issues, publishes a monthly
newsletter, provides resource materials, networking services
and advocacy efforts on behalf of Coalition issues. The North
Quabbin Community Coalition is an affiliate of Valuing Our
Children. The Coalition is funded in part by the generous
contributions of members and its funders: Massachusetts
Department of Public Health; the Department of Children &
Families’ Community Connections; F/H REB School to Careers
Partnership, Town of Athol—North Quabbin Loan Fund;
Clinical & Support Options System of Care, and New England
Rural Health Roundtable.
North Quabbin Community Coalition
251 Exchange Street
Athol MA 01331
www.nqcc.org
Mission Statement: The North Quabbin Community Coalition is a community-wide alliance committed to improving the
quality of life for all those living and working in the North Quabbin since 1984.