The Voice - Spring 2024

Quarterly

for Consortium Employees

With so many community activities and deep engagement happening, this edition of The Voice is packed with great information and celebration! As you know, June is PRIDE Month, and we celebrate the Consortium's holiday of Juneteenth on June 19th and this month is also Men's Mental Health Month. We have so much to honor, recognize and celebrate - and it's also Father's Day on Sunday, 6/14, as well! To ALL who father, thank you for how you show up, and we also honor those who experience this day as difficult, we see you and hold space for you, too.

It's that time of year for our annual insurance enrollment - thank you to all of you have responded to Carmen Sikand, HR Director, regarding enrollment. Thanks also to Human Resource Team Members, Carmen Rivera and Janet Nieves, for your support during this time as well! Check out the upcoming offerings with Trauma Informed Hampshire County and our upcoming 20th West Region Self Advocacy Conference for SelfAdvocates! Home & Community Connections has a new website that's wonderful - definitely worth checking out.

So many great things happening across the Consortium – I’m excited for you to read about Ephraim Akiva, Afiya Director and part of Wildflower Alliance being recognized for his leadership and advocacy! Also check out how the Northampton Recovery Center team has expanded. Did you hear who were the recipients of this round of Growth and Scholarship Awards?

Please read on and enjoy and thank you for showing up in all the ways you do! We’re so grateful for your contributions, each and every day.

In Community, Kristel

J o hn, a n i n d i v i d u a l w e s u p p o r t i n H o m e & C o m m u ni t y C o n n e c t i o n s w a s a p a r t

o f t hi s y e a r ’ s S p e c i a l O l y m p i c s ! H e ha s b e e n i nv o l v e d i n m a n y s p o r t s s i nc e he

w a s 8 y e a r s o l d ! H e ’ s b e e n p l a y i ng b a s k e t b a l l f o r 1 2 y e a r s , a n d t hi s s e a s o n

J o hn, a l o n g w i t h hi s a m a z i n g t e a m , t he W e s t S i d e Wo l v e s , m a d e i t t o t h e S t a t e

C ha m p i o ns h i p s w i n ni n g t h e S i l v e r M e d a l ! We s e nd o u r c o ng r

Celebrations of life are a gift! H&CC team members celebrated a monumental birthday with one of our community members, Roland as he turned 80 years old! Roland was born on the 4th day of the 4th month in 1944.....pretty snazzy way to make an entrance into this world! We wont talk about how his home address is 44 as well! He was joined in celebration by ALL of his staff, friends, current manager, past managers, and many from our administrative office. His niece and nephew were in attendance, and his family from California joined via Facetime to watch him open his gifts Even his driver from his day program came by after his run was finished to celebrate this monumental occasion! It was beautiful and joyous - and the smile on Roland's face said it all!

Here are a few highlights from Roland's Party!

Taking PRIDE in Supporting Community Taking PRIDE in Supporting Community

Happy Pride Month! Every year, June is our opportunity to celebrate, honor, commemorate, and be in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. We take a moment to reflect on the past. We pay tribute. We spend time in community with each other. We dance! We remember that each one of us is worthy of belonging. So where do we start the celebration? There are so many impactful (and fun) ways to celebrate Pride.

Herearethreewaystogetinvolvedthismonth(sharedbyMichelleSilverthorne):

1.GetOutThere:Beapartofyourcommunity.SupportyourlocalPrideevents.Attendfundraisers,parades, marches, and festivals. Donate your time or money. Write your local legislators. Get involved. And read books! Here's one of my favorite books from two of my favorite bloggers - Legendary Children: The First DecadeofRuPaul'sDragRaceandtheLastCenturyofQueerLifebyLorenzoMarquezandTomFitzgerald.

2. Gain Local Knowledge: Do you know the history of Pride Month where you live? What are some of the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community in your town or city? What are the some of the issuescurrentlybeingfacedrightinyourbackyard?Weneedtoallbebettereducatedbecauseknowledgeis keytochange.

3. Be an Ally: Stand in solidarity, whether you're a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally. Use your voiceandprivilegetoalwaysspeakup.

Additionally, here is a resource from Giving Compass that can help folks learn, navigate and support folx in ourLGBTQIA+community.

While going to events and celebrations is always a great time, keep in mind that this month is about the fightforequality, justice,andtherighttobewhoyouare.Let'sembracethisspiritofdiversity andinclusion during Pride Month and beyond. Because when we do, we create spaces where we can all be free to live authenticallyandthrive.Becauseloveislove,islove,islove.HappyPride!

Volunteering is the act of rendering selfless service to a cause, oftentimes for free and without coercion. It is about giving time to a good cause, specifically to help an organization, your community or an individual you are not related to. People who engage in this type of activity are known as volunteers. A volunteer is a person who willfully donates their time and energy to help promote a good cause or help an organization work more effectively. We appreciate our volunteers, those who are committed to supporting community and its sustainability.

Volunteers throughout our recovery communities were recognized with Volunteer Recognition Nights. Here are some reflections from the Northampton Recovery Center!

On Saturday April 20th, friends, family, and community members came into the Northampton Recovery Center (NRC) to celebrate our wonderful volunteers. We ate yummy Fitzwilly’s fare, homemade desserts and pasta, and gathered to hear heartfelt shares and memories from our members, peers, and allies. 35 appreciation awards were handed out to the folks that make the NRC possible; keeping our space clean, feeding us, welcoming people in and giving tours, facilitating all of our many groups, and always being willing to lend a helping hand. Nine of our volunteers were also recipients of a very special award: The President’s Volunteer Service Award. This award is given out by the White House to volunteers across the country who have donated over one hundred hours of their time to their communities in a year. We had volunteers receive bronze, silver, and gold awards, with two volunteers having given over 500 hours of service to the NRC this past year alone (shoutout Dave and Betsy)! Thank you to everyone who showed up to the event, it was wonderful to be in community together. Thank you to our volunteers for all you do. We are not us without you!

Recognizing Inspiring Leaders Recognizing Inspiring Leaders iin n Peer Respite Peer Respite

MassLive.com published the profiles of 22 LGBTQ+ leaders in Massachusetts in February. Our own Ephraim Akiva, Director of Afiya Peer Respite, was among them. The work that Ephraim continues to do within the Wildflower Alliance and abroad attests to the need for crisis support in our communities and the support needed to push legislation through for more respites throughout the state.

Below is an excerpt of Ephraim’s statement from the MassLive.com profile:

“Amid a mental health crisis, a person might not need an emergency room visit or inpatient stay in a psychiatric facility. What they might need is a “peer respite,” says Ephraim Akiva. According to Akiva, who leads the Afiya Peer Respite in Northampton, it’s a “homelike environment” where someone can be supported through a crisis “by others who’ve ‘been there’ themselves.” Akiva hopes similar organizations might be established across the state. He helped write and is now promoting a bill before the State Legislature that would do so, creating a peer respite in every county, including centers specifically for racial minority groups and people in the LBTQ+ community”.

MassLive readers identified Akiva as a leader who is “inspirational...doing good acts for their communities”, and was “recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change”.

Northampton Recovery Center Northampton Recovery Center

The Northampton Recovery Center is now open 6 days a week with new programming and support! Visit our website for more information and to stay up to date with our recovery center happenings!

Our current open hours are as follows:

Monday 8:00am-6:00pm

Tuesday 8:00am-6:00pm

Wednesday 8:00am-6:00pm

Thursday 8:00am-8:30pm

Friday 8:00am-6:00pm

Saturday 9:00am-4:30pm

We at the Northampton Recovery Center are very pleased to welcome two new recovery coaches, Deb and Lois, to the staff team! Deb (left) has been a member of the Center since our earliest days and we are proud to have her as a full time staff member after being a volunteer at the Center for years. We are equally excited to welcome Lois (right) to the NRC and to the team! If you or someone you know is looking for a recovery coach, come on in and meet Lois and Deb !

The Northampton Recovery Center is thrilled to announce the addition of an LGBTQIA+ All Recovery Meeting (ARM) to our weekly programming! The LGBTQ+ ARM meets Saturdays at 1:30 in the main activity room. The meeting has been well attended so far, and we can’t wait to welcome more people in–please spread the word!

By: Lynn Ferro

To my dear Northampton Recovery Center Community, I wanted to let you know that I am leaving my position as Director of Administration and Advancement of Peer Recovery.

I have had the pleasure of serving first as Director of the Northampton Recovery Center, and for the past year as the Director of Administration and Advancement for Peer Recovery, both positions with the Consortium. I am full of gratitude for the opportunity and all it has provided me: education about the subject matter of substance use and addiction, the peer recovery support center model and shared leadership as well as what the Consortium represents as an agency dedicated to creating conditions in which people who have faced marginalization, oppression, or otherwise felt invisible are better able to pursue their dreams and strengthen Communities through voice, choice and inclusion.

My time at the Northampton Recovery Center taught me much about myself, as a member and leader of a team Because the Consortium is unique in its mission and commitments, working here has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow as a person and professional.

I am reminded of the expression how our lives can change on a dime, in the smallest of moments. My volunteering to look for a space for the NRC in the spring of 2016, led to an entirely new world for me and to one of the greatest chapters in my work history I continue to be in awe of that moment, and the opportunity it afforded me.

In addition to working with the wonderfully skilled and committed staff at the NRC, I have had the immense pleasure and support of working with an amazing team at the Consortium including the other Program Directors and our organizational Admin Team. I have always felt supported by these colleagues, and by Kristel as Executive Director. It is not easy to leave such a forward thinking and supportive workplace, but the time has come for me to do so.

My last day was April 23, and I had the good fortune of spending one last time at the Northampton Recovery Center in honor of our fantastic team of volunteers. I will carry the NRC and all those I have met along the way in my heart as I move forward in my new life in Detroit.

Sincerely, Lynn

The Support Network has been busy this spring! In addition to their work with families, the team has been busy presenting trainings.

Diosdado Lopez-Martinez was invited to present at Springfield College’s conference “Fostering Equity and Inclusion for Latinos/as in Child and Family Welfare.” He presented on navigating the Special Education system to a Spanish speaking audience. Margery Jess and Gretchen Emond were invited by The Parent Information Network to present at their first Family Voice Conference. Over 60 new family/peer support professionals were in attendance to hear the presentation about family engagement and the history of family support.

For more information on upcoming programs and trainings, please contact Gretchen Edmond at GEdmond@wmtcinfo.org

Daeg Hamilton

LaMara Hunter-Kelly

Danielle Jordan

Carmen Rivera

Austin Schacht

OpenEnrollment

Alternatives to Suicide On-line Coordinator

Bilingual & Bicultural experience (English/Spanish or English/ASL)

The Alternatives to Suicide On-Line Coordinator will support the growth of our Alternatives to Suicide on-line supports and community. Responsibilities will include coordination of on-line groups and supervision of on-line facilitators, moderation of Discord server and related supports, and facilitation of on-line groups and community forums and some 1:1 peer support. Will also include collaboration on management of social media accounts and Alternatives to Suicide webpage. Other responsibilities as assigned.

Compensation: $25.00 - $27.00/per hour based on completion of core trainings, skills, and experience

Hours: 25 to 30 hours per week

Location: This is primarily a remote position, with the ability to set your schedule in collaboration with other team members with whom you’ll be working

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and cover letter to info@wildfloweralliance org (applications without cover letters will not be considered)

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled AA/EOE.

Recovery Coach Supervisor

Full Time, 40 HR Exempt

Hourly rate range: $24 - $26 per hour

Location: Greenfield, MA

The RECOVER Project, a program of The Western MA Training Consortium, a wellestablished peer-to-peer recovery support program with a strong community presence in Franklin County, is seeking a Recovery Coach Supervisor who is excited to be a part of a growing Recovery Coach network and passionate about supporting individuals achieve their personal and professional goals.

The Recovery Coach Supervisor will provide positive, and solution-based supervision that encompasses administrative support, professional development, and social/emotional wellbeing to the RECOVER Project Recovery Coach team. The Recovery Coach Supervisor will engage in and expand partnerships with community organizations including Baystate Franklin Emergency Department, Opioid Task Force, and others, toward continuing a strong and vital resource network.

The successful candidate will have welcoming collaboration skills, demonstrated leadership ability, a practiced understanding of creating conditions for trauma informed engagement, and a commitment to social justice and sense of belonging. Candidates who bring culturally diverse perspectives are encouraged to apply.

For more information on or to apply for these featured positions, visit https://wmtcinfo org/employment

This book introduces Coming to the Table’s approach to a continuously evolving set of purposeful theories, ideas, experiments, guidelines, and intentions, all dedicated to facilitating racial healing and transformation

People of color, relative to white people, fall on the negative side of virtually all measurable social indicators The “living wound” is seen in the significant disparities in average household wealth, unemployment and poverty rates, infant mortality rates, access to healthcare and life expectancy, education, housing, and treatment within, and by, the criminal justice system

Coming to the Table (CTTT) was born in 2006 when two dozen descendants from both sides of the system of enslavement gathered together at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), in collaboration with the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding (CJP) Stories were shared and friendships began The participants began to envision a more connected and truthful world that would address the unresolved and persistent effects of the historic institution of slavery This Little Book shares Coming to the Table’s vision for the United States a vision of a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past Readers will learn practical skills for better listening; discover tips for building authentic, accountable relationships; and will find specific and varied ideas for taking action.

Social Justice Social Justice

I want to take this time and opportunity to say thank you for all of you in our different communities for helping to forward the ball in our commitment toward "Social Justice." We had a wonderful turn out for our May 8th and 22nd agency wide social justice training "Building Unity as we Commit to Social Justice." It was a pleasure working with Nyaunu and Jason from NCCJ, they seem to always bring positive energy to the work

And with that being said, I just want to point out that without the help and collaborations from you, the work becomes harder, not only for me, but for those of you who really hold our values near and dear to our heart. I don't believe that any of us are where we are because we did things all by ourselves It was from those who have in some way shaped, formed, and helped us to get to where we find ourselves in life today (Mentors, Family, Friends, and so on).

Finding those who want to champion with you to live out the values that you find important isn't always easy, here (meaning on the job) or in our own personal lives. I love talking about the work that we do here at the Consortium (not saying it's perfect and doesn't have room for improvement) but none the less, it is rewarding to know that we are at least trying to make things a little bit better As DEI and Social Justice initiatives continue to face pushback, companies keep looking for more ways to deliver successful results I will say this a million times over - structured collaboration opportunities lead to real results, when they are done well. Meaning, we have aligned on expectations, we have set out goals, we have accountability, and we choose to advocate and address things that hold up our unifying commitment towards those ends (It takes all of us).

And with that, I started to think; It must be like a quarterback in the NFL (as you can tell football season is almost upon us). The quarterback is only good as the players that surround him. Tom Brady for example, is an all-time NFL quarterback (heading to the Hall of Fame) not because he is just a great quarterback, but because of his ability to collaborate and to understand the importance of "TEAM" play We all have to be on the same page

I have made the commitment that this week (and every day that I'm tasked to the work), I too am dedicated to evaluating and determining the best ways to continue my commitment towards "Social Justice" in our organization and try to identify best practices and how we all can help and work together I hope that the work doesn't stop with you, but begins with all of us

In Community, Rev. Greg

H a p p y F a t he r ’ s D a y t o t ho s e t ha t i d e nt i f y

a s f a t he r s a nd a r e f a t he r i ng f a m i l i e s ! We

a c k no w l e d g e , s u p p o r t , a nd t ha nk y o u !

J u ne i s M e n' s H e a l t h A w a r e ns s M o nt h!

I t ' s c e l e b r a t e d e v e r y J u ne t o r a i s e

a w a r e ne s s o f p r e v e nt a b l e he a l t h

i s s u e s . M e nt a l he a l t h a w a r e ne s s i s a s

i m p o r t a nt a s o v e r a l l he a l t h, y e t t he r e

a r e s o m e m e n t ha t s t r u g g l e w i t h t he

s t i g m a s p l a c e d o n m e n' s m e nt a l

w e l l ne s s .

S o m e o f t he m o s t p r e v a l e nt m e nt a l

he a l t h c o nd i t i o ns a m o ng m e n a r e :

- - - - D e p r e s s i o n

- - - - A nx i e t y

- - - - - P T S D

- - - - S c hi z o p hr e ni a

- - - - S u b s t a nc e A b u s e

B e e nc o u r a g e d , t a k e c ha r g e o f y o u r

he a l t h a nd u nd e r s t a nd t ha t i t i s o k a y

t o s e e k s u p p o r t w he n ne e d e d .

Chicopee Public Library

449 Front Street Chicopee, MA 01013 413-594-1800

Granby Free Public Library

297 East State Street Granby, MA 01033 413-467-3320

Hadley Public Library

50 Middle Street Hadley, MA 01035 413-584-7451

Holyoke Public Library

250 Chestnut Street Holyoke, MA 01040 413-420-8101

Ludlow Hubbard Memorial Public Library

24 Center Street Ludlow, MA 01056

Monson Free Library

2 High Street Monson, MA 01057 413-267-3866

South Hadley Public Library

2 Canal Street South Hadley, MA 01075 413-538-5045

June 13th, 2024; 1pm-2:30pm is TIHC's virtual monthly meeting. This month the presenter will be Sandra Harris, President of MA AARP and founder of End Loneliness MA, who will be speaking about their work and projects to address loneliness and community connection. Visit our website for more info and zoom link.

June 18th, 2024, 5:30-7:30pm at Forbes Library Community Room, join us for a screening and discussion of the new film Join or Die about the decrease in civic engagement, rise in loneliness and the importance of community.

Please join this on-line discussion with Author, Antonia Hylton, regarding Race and Mental Health hosted by Earl Miller and Sera Davidow.

TO REGISTER CLICK ON THE LINK.

ABOUT ANTONIA HYLTON

Antonia Hylton is a Peabody and two-time Emmy award-winning Correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, and the New York Times bestselling author of MADNESS She is also the cohost of the hit podcasts Southlake and Grapevine

From 2016 to 2020, Antonia was a Correspondent and Producer for Vice Media and HBO’s nightly news and documentary show, Vice News Tonight Since 2019, she has also served as an annual judge for the American Mosaic Journalism Prize.

Antonia’s won several awards, including Emmys for education and immigration reporting, two Gracie Awards for her stories about women, a NAMIC Vision Award for reporting on violence and politics in Chicago, and two Front Page Awards for special reporting and breaking news

Antonia graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 2015, where she received prizes for her writing and investigative research on race, mass incarceration, and the history of psychiatry

The Consortium’s Anti-Oppression Committee and the Salasin Project are offering a Book Discussion Group on the book: Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum by Antonia Hylton.

The book discussion group will be offered on Zoom, on Fridays, once a month

Here is more information about the Book Discussion and registration information will be coming soon!

The book documents the 93-year-old history of Crownsville Hospital, one of the last segregated asylums with surviving records in the US. Madness chronicles the stories of Black families whose mental health suffered as they tried, and sometimes failed, to find safety and dignity. Hylton also grapples with her own family’s experiences with mental illness, and the secrecy and shame that it reproduced for generations

We will purchase copies of the book or audio book for folks that are interested. Rafael Rodriquez from the Wildflower Alliance and Becky Lockwood from the Salasin Project will be co-facilitators.

Feel free to reach out to either of us for more information: Rafael@wmtcinfo.org or Beckyl-resiliency@wmtcinfo.org

CELEBRATING

20 YEARS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS WEST REGION SELF ADVOCACY CONFERENCE!

Self advocates will celebrate 20 years of learning and connecting at the Annual MWRSA Conference! This year’s Keynote Speakers will be Sandy & Dan Houghton!

This year’s soundtrack will be curated by DJ Mo’ Money! He will also host the award ceremony!

“Tell Us Your Truth” is a hybrid (in-person & virtual) event designed to provide a safe space for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community who have faced harm in relationships. Join us at 185 High Street as we come together to share experiences, provide support/resources, and work towards healing. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can speak their truth and find solidarity with others who have gone through similar challenges. Let's come together and uplift each other in a space of understanding and compassion.

Likewhatyouarereading?

Isitinformativeandengaging? We'dlovetohearfromyou!

In fact, send us an email with your most engagingpiecethatyoureadandwewillenter you into our quarterly raffle, with a chance to winsomethingworththeread!

Wanttocontributeanarticleorstory,event orkudostoafuturenewsletter?

If you know a self advocate, please share this opportunity!

If your have questions, please contact Amber Pettell, Peer Coordinator at Apettell@wmtcinfo.org

WANT TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION?

You can donate and/or share this link to the Consortium's secure online giving platform with folks who want to donate

FOLLOW US AND STAY CONNECTED!

Do you follow us on social media? You can stay connected with us through these various platforms and reshare our message of hope.