FALL 2022 THE VOICE Quarterly Newsletter for Consortium Employees IN THIS ISSUE: Guiding Stars and Community Garden at the NRC 2 Work Winddown 3 Art Beyond Four Walls & a Healing Journey Group at Salasin 4 New Employee Warm Welcomes 5 Listening Courageously 7 How to Seize the Day at Work 9 Upcoming Events and more... STRENGTHENING OUR CONSORTIUM COMMUNITY THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND INCLUSION "TOGETHER WE GROW LIKE THE BRANCHES OF A TREE. WE ARE STRONGER, WISER, AND BETTER, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE, BUT THE WILLINGNESS TO SHARE AND ALLOW OTHERS TO ALSO LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCES" ...UNKNOWN
DearConsortiumCommunity, DearConsortiumCommunity, Timeissopreciousandsoeasilytakenupbyallthatisrequiredofus, especiallyduringthisseeminglynever eendingpandemic.Thankyoufortaking speciallyduringthisseeminglynever endingpandemic Thankyoufortaking thetimetoreadthiseditionofTheVoice tourgoalisforyoutobeinformed hetimetoreadthiseditionofTheVoice-ourgoalisforyoutobeinformed ofupdatesthatdirectlyrelatetoyourworkaswellasfeelconnectedtowhatishappeninginourvarious ofupdatesthatdirectlyrelatetoyourworkaswellasfeelconnectedtowhatishappeninginourvarious communities. communities Speakingof,ifyouhaven’tattendedAgencyOrientationbefore,it’scominguponWednesday,September28th Speakingof,ifyouhaven’tattendedAgencyOrientationbefore,it’scominguponWednesday,September28th andwearestillofferingitonavirtualZoomplatform we a’dlovetohavetheopportunitytohearfromyouand ndwearestillofferingitonavirtualZoomplatform we’dlovetohavetheopportunitytohearfromyouand gettoknowyoubetter–pleasejoinusifyoucan!Keepreadingtogetthedetailsonhowtoregisterforit. gettoknowyoubetter pleasejoinusifyoucan!Keepreadingtogetthedetailsonhowtoregisterforit Asweneartheendofaveryhot,drysummer,wefindourselvessimultaneouslylookingbackovertheseasonand Asweneartheendofaveryhot,drysummer,wefindourselvessimultaneouslylookingbackovertheseasonand ssearchingforhopeforwhat’sahead.Inthespiritoflookingforward,wewouldliketocelebrateourHarvestat earchingforhopeforwhat’sahead.Inthespiritoflookingforward,wewouldliketocelebrateourHarvestat thisyear’sAnnualEmployeeAppreciationCelebrationonOctober19th–lookforyourSave the tDatecardin hisyear’sAnnualEmployeeAppreciationCelebrationonOctober19th lookforyourSave the Datecardin themailthisweek!Wehavesomefuninstore thopeyouhavethetimetojoinus! hemailthisweek!Wehavesomefuninstore–hopeyouhavethetimetojoinus! Meanwhile,Ihopethisnewfallseasonbringsyounewopportunities Mtolearnanewskill,meetanew eanwhile,Ihopethisnewfallseasonbringsyounewopportunities tolearnanewskill,meetanew colleague,taskariskinaconversation,offerasuggestionthatisuniquelyyours,seethenewinthefamiliar,or colleague,taskariskinaconversation,offerasuggestionthatisuniquelyyours,seethenewinthefamiliar,or perhapsappreciateallofyourlifeexperience(eventhehardparts)forbringingyoutothismoment,now pIsure erhapsappreciateallofyourlifeexperience(eventhehardparts)forbringingyoutothismoment,now.Isure amgladyou’reherewithus,onthisjourney,especiallyaswecontinuetomovetowardidentifyingasan amgladyou’reherewithus,onthisjourney,especiallyaswecontinuetomovetowardidentifyingasan organizationcommittedtoSocialJustice.Suchgreatdiscussionsarebeinghadaswelearnfromoneanother,by organizationcommittedtoSocialJustice Suchgreatdiscussionsarebeinghadaswelearnfromoneanother,by seekingtounderstandandstayingcurious sThankyoutoeachofyou,forbeingalearnerandaleader,and eekingtounderstandandstayingcurious.Thankyoutoeachofyou,forbeingalearnerandaleader,and contributingwhenandwhereyoucan citallmattersandwewouldn’tbewhowearewithoutYOU! ontributingwhenandwhereyoucan itallmattersandwewouldn’tbewhowearewithoutYOU! Haveyouseenourupdatedimageofourmissionandvalues?Checkoutthisrackcard: Haveyouseenourupdatedimageofourmissionandvalues?Checkoutthisrackcard: Pleasereadonforgreatnewsonwhat’shappeninginsomeofour Pleasereadonforgreatnewsonwhat’shappeninginsomeofour programs/communities,helpfultidbitsforyourowninvestment,etc programs/communities,helpfultidbitsforyourowninvestment,etc. AveryspecialthankstoourDevelopmentandCommunicationsAdministrator, AveryspecialthankstoourDevelopmentandCommunicationsAdministrator, LaMaraHunter LKelly,forservingasourEditorofTheVoice! aMaraHunter Kelly,forservingasourEditorofTheVoice! InAppreciation, InAppreciation, Kristel Kristel FALL 2022 THE VOICE STRENGTHENING OUR CONSORTIUM COMMUNITY THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND INCLUSION DEAR CONSORTIUM COMMUNITY..
by Kristel Applebee
Northampton is known for beautiful scenic areas, and delicious restaurants, in an eclectic community. The Northampton Recovery Center is home to a beautiful community garden plot which provides produce for use in our Nutrition for Recovery classes and community meals For more information on our garden, and other resources, visit our website at https://www northamptonrecoverycenter org
The Northampton Recovery Center is pleased to announce our new family support program, Guiding STARS (Support To Addiction Recovery Services) in which we offer recovery support and related services to the families and friends of people coping & struggling with substance use disorders and addiction Guiding STARS is a person centered, strength based and self directed journey of resilience and recovery Our mission is to help family members, significant others, friends and the community at large in supporting individuals coping with addiction, using the NRC’s peer based approach We provide peer support and recovery coaching, as well as educating participants about resources available from community agencies and organizations that support and promote healthy families and recovery. We invite you to consider being a part of this process. With community input, we believe we will be better equipped to help families navigate their own journeys For questions regarding this program, please email Trevor Dayton at tdayton@wmtcinfo org Visit the website for more information at https://www.northamptonrecoverycente r.org/guiding stars
by LAMARA HUNTER KELLY
This year has been packed with COVID 19 updates, hybrid meetings, rebranding, reworking and rewiring We have had new employees, those that have transitioned, and those that are returning back to the office from their home offices With all that has transpired for a good part of 2022, it feels amazing when we can take a moment to acknowledge and share appreciation for a fellow team member
STRENGTHENING OUR CONSORTIUM COMMUNITY THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND INCLUSION that could help in supporting our programs and communities As we look up with 17 weeks left until 2023, feedback that could help one another get through our work weeks are useful and appreciated My tool of choice is laughter. For those who do not know, my husband and sons are standup comedians They make people laugh for a living! What I came to find living in a household of naturally funny people is that laughter is good for the soul It promotes healing and positive energy
This year we were showing up for our communities when many community doors were closed during this pandemic In addition, it has been packed with COVID 19 updates, hybrid meetings, rebranding, reworking and rewiring This also meant that we discovered new ways to take care of our families, friends, and ourselves. We have had new employees, those who transitioned, and employees who have returned With all that has transpired for a good part of 2022, it feels amazing when we can take a moment to acknowledge and share an appreciation for a fellow team member I began to use this as a personal development tool in dealing with conflict resolution. Taking a moment to laugh allows me to reflect on what may be a difficult situation, look at it in a different way, and come up with a solution that has a positive outcome Sometimes stress can cause us to look at situations with a lack of emotional intelligence, but if we take a moment for ourselves to reflect before responding, the outcome will be one that is most desired Of note, I found Rev Greg's insights on "How to Have a Learning Conversation" very helpful during Agency Orientation. Laughter helps to bring balance, and it allows me to refocus on the positive, after identifying the issue at hand I hope that this helps someone to be great! If you would like to share what helps you to get through your work challenges, please send us an email at info@wmtcinfo org We’d love to include your feedback in a future issue of the Voice! With endurance, we grow together, using our collective wisdom to ignite our passion for our work here at the Consortium Our power to choose our paths is a direct reflection of our purpose. We engage with one another, sharing insight, feedback, knowledge, and resources This allows us to grow from within In return, we are able to create conditions for connection allowing us to support a community that is built on positive morale In reintroducing our newsletter there is an open opportunity to share helpful resources, and experiences
FALL 2022 THE VOICE WORK WINDOWN
M o r e i nf o r m a t i o n o n ho w t o a t t e nd c a n b e f o u nd he r e .
A H e a l i n g J o u r n e y i s a c o nf i d e n t i a l s u p p o r t a nd d i s c u s s i o n g r o u p t h a t e x p l o r e s t he i m p a c t o f i nt e r p e r s o n a l v i o l e nc e a nd t r a u m a o n i n d i v i d u a l s . P a r t i c i p a nt s w i l l t a l k a b o u t h o w t o c r e a t e s a f e t y a n d i d e nt i f y w a y s t o d e v e l o p he a l t hy i nt i m a c y a nd r e l a t i o ns h i p s . T he g r o u p i nc l u d e s he a l i ng a c t i v i t i e s f o r t h e m i nd , b o d y a nd s p i r i t . T he s e d i s c u s s i o n g r o u p s w i l l t a k e p l a c e o n We d ne s d a y s 5 : 0 0 p m 6 : 3 0 p m o n Z o o m o r i n p e r s o n a t S a l a s i n P r o j e c t , b e g i nni n g l a t e A u g u s t e a r l y S e p t e m b e r . I f y o u o r s o m e o n e y o u k no w w o u l d l i k e m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h i s s u p p o r t g r o u p , p l e a s e c o n t a c t J i l l x . 1 0 5 o r L y nn x . 1 0 3 a t 4 1 3 . 7 7 4 . 4 3 0 7 . Art rt
T he s ho w f e a t u r e s a r t c r e a t e d b y p e o p l e l i v i ng a t t he F r a nk l i n C o u nt y H o u s e o f C o r r e c t i o n, S a l a s i n P r o j e c t c o m m u ni t y m e m b e r s a nd p e o p l e w ho ha v e p r e v i o u s l y b e e n i nc a r c e r a t e d T he e x hi b i t e x p l o r e s t he he a l i ng p o w e r o f t he a r t s a nd t he a b i l i t y o f a r t t o c o nne c t u s t o o ne a no t he r a c r o s s d i f f e r e nc e s i n e x p e r i e nc e a nd p e r c e p t i o n.
Beyond Four Walls
T he o p e ni ng r e c e p t i o n f o r A r t B e y o n d F o u r W a l l s w a s Thursday September 1st, 2022 from 5:30-8 pm a nd w i l l c o nt i nu e t hr o u g h t he m o nt h o f S e p t e m b e r a t t he Lava Center, 3 2 4 M a i n S t r e e t a nd Lookey Here Art Space, 2 8 C ha p m a n S t r e e t , G r e e nf i e l d , M A .
Beyond Four AWalls
FALL 2022 WarmWelcome! H&CC H&CC KIARA KANAVITATE IARA ANAVITATE VERNON VGRIFFIN ERNON GRIFFIN MARISOL MMALDONADO ARISOL MALDONADO WILLIAM WOLIVO ILLIAM OLIVO JAMIE JPOTTER AMIE POTTER KIMBERLY KPUFFER IMBERLY PUFFER MAGDALEE MQUINONES AGDALEE QUINONES JONATHAN JRIVERA ONATHAN RIVERA KIMBERLY KSILVA IMBERLY SILVA SALAYA STAYLOR-MILLER ALAYA TAYLOR-MILLER DAWN DVENDITTO AWN VENDITTO Northampton Recovery NCenter orthampton Recovery Center MATTHEW MDELANEY ATTHEW DELANEY RECOVER RProject ECOVER Project ROBERT RDAIGNAULT OBERT DAIGNAULT AUSTIN ASCHACHT-PURRINGTON USTIN SCHACHT PURRINGTON Wildflower WAlliance ildflower Alliance LIONEL LFRECHETTE IONEL FRECHETTE Please send your RSVP by Monday, September 26th to Joann McCallum at jmccallum@wmtcinfo org Wednesday, September 28, 2022 STRENGTHENING OUR CONSORTIUM COMMUNITY THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND INCLUSION We welcome all new employees to The Consortium!!! August 31, 2022 was Overdose Awareness Day, and the opening reception of the Bringing aWAREness to Recovery Art Exhibition at ArtWorks in Ware, MA. Special thanks to Abaigeal Duda and the new Recovery Center of Hope in Ware for putting this together and a HUGE thanks to the Artists who participated. This show is open Saturday& Sundays until September 11th, 2022.
We are looking for interested people to join our team! are supported to exercise their human and civil rights, take control of their lives, advocate on their own behalf, and influence decision making. are supported to contribute to and enhance their communities have a variety of freely given relationships that they desire are given opportunities to learn new skills and reach their potential live in homes that are safe, comfortable, and reflect their personal tastes. have life experiences that are valued and integral to shaping individualized supports. are provided opportunities which promote personal wellness and healthy living.
Training Home & Community Connections 187 High Street, Suite 202 Phone (413)
Contact Kim Puffer, Assistant Director of Recruitment & 536-2401
Home & Community Connections provides innovative and individualized Hsupport ome & Community Connections provides innovative and individualized support that eliminates barriers and empowers individuals to live the lives they tchoose. hat eliminates barriers and empowers individuals to live the lives they choose.
The people we support:
Ext.3038
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Goleman believed that while our IQ may get us a job, it is our EQ that determines how quickly we advance and are promoted
Book of the BQuarter ook of the
The argument is that after technical skills are accounted for, it's our ability to work with and connect with others that determines how successful we are at work
M A R T I N L U T H E R K I N G , J R . ,
Quarter FALL 2022
Social SJustice ocial Justice
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly ”
Acknowledging this is the first step, having the willingness to be able to engage in difficult conversations is the next The Consortium will host an agency wide training on November 2, 2022.
STRENGTHENING OUR CONSORTIUM COMMUNITY THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND INCLUSION
You can find this and other books in The Social Justice and Spiritual Care Office at the Consortium For more information, please send an email to Rev. Greg Jones, Director of Social Justice and Spiritual Care at gjones@wmtcinfo.org.
Letter from the Birmingham Jail
This award winning film and transformational workshops share the power of empathetic listening as it allows us to navigate our differences through listening Listening is a part of effective communication that some of us may have challenges with.
Thekeytomindful communicationistolistenwith onlyoneintention tohearwith anopen,receptive,non judgemental,and compassionateear Practicemakesperfect. Duringinteractionswithpeople, startnoticingyourimpulsesand habits.Letgoofanyagendasor pointsthatyouaretryingto makeandbepresent Useempathyinemailandtext. Imaginehowthereceiverofyour messagemightinterpretit,and howyouwouldfeelifyouwere thereceiverofthatmessage. PauseWriteReflect Whenyoustartanemail,pause, takeabreathe,andreturntoit whenmorerelaxed,finishwriting andthenreflectbeforesending. "Purpose infuses your life with meaning and aligns your everyday choices with something bigger than yourself" MINDFUL COMMUNICATION MINDFULNESSATWORK:SEIZETHEDAY REMEMBERYOURPURPOSE National Geographic had a special edition issue that focused on Everyday Mindfulness: Finding Focus, Calm, and Joy This special edition gave insight on how to navigate life's ups and downs with tranquility andease Thepiecethatwasstriking,andresourcefulforbestpracticesatworkiswasonethatdeserved amentioninourquarterlynewsletter Whenourdaysarefilledwithdeadlinesanddistractions,sometimes focus can become misplaced Being able to find a balance and seize the day is most important AccordingtoNationalGeographic'sarticles,herearesomehelpfulwaystoseizeyourday! Purposeiswhatyouaspireto:ifitgives visionofabestpossiblefutureandpulls youtowarditHowdowediscoverour purposeatwork? Herearesomehelpfultips: TakeInventory Takeamomenttotakeinventoryofyour strengthsandvalues.Strengthsarewhat youaredoingwhenyouratyourbest. Yourvaluesserveasaguidepost. AskQuestions, Askyourselfwhatismostessentialto me?WhatdoIcareaboutmost?Usethis processofself inquiryandwritedown whatcomestomind. CreateaSlogan, Chooseaword,phraseorsentencethat capturesyourpurposewithpositive, affirminglanguage ShareitwithOthers, Sharingsupportsandencouragesyou alongtheway.
Know of any events in and around the region that you'd like to share, please send an email to info@wmtcinfo.org!
We will review submissions with the following selection criteria in mind: mission alignment, increasing employee connection, and community/program relevance
WE'D FROM YOU
We'd love to share your favorite places or events in a future issue
LOVE TO HEAR
To submit an article or story, event or kudos submission, please email us at info@wmtcinfo.org.
Here are some happenings in and around Hampden and Hampshire Counties sponsored by our programs and communities at the Consortium:
EMPLOYEE EMPLOYEE CELEBRATION CELEBRATION AroundtheTown
WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE FALL BRINGS WHERE WE WORK, LIVE AND PLAY?
Don't forget! You can easily share this link to the Consortium's secure online giving platform with folks who want to donate to YOUR community Just make sure they designate the program or community they'd like to support, to ensure it is allocated to your program/community.
