Member of the community, elected officials and local agencies gathered in the lobby of City Hall on Tuesday to commemorate May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This event was the result of a collaboration between the Fitchburg Health Department, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Compass Clubhouse and Community Health Connections to raise awareness about mental health, provide resources for the community and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues. 

Sue Christensen from the Fitchburg Health Department Outreach & Prevention welcomed the guests and introduced the following individuals who gave remarks: Elizabeth Walsh, Constituent Services Director, Office of Senator John J. Cronin; Rebecca Hess, Legislative Aide, Office of State Representative Michael Kushmerek and Sally Cragin, City Councilor and Director of BePawsitive Therapy Pets and Community Education. Member of the Fitchburg Police Department Community Outreach Team were also acknowledged. 

Stephen L. DiNatale, Mayor of Fitchburg read a proclamation highlighting the importance of mental health awareness, concluding with “I, Stephen L. DiNatale, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as Mental Health Month in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. As the Mayor, I also call upon the citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in Fitchburg to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, the steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health, and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental health conditions.” 

The attendance by two therapy dogs from BePAwsitive Therapy Pets and Community Education was a highlight to the day. A resource table will remain in the lobby of City Hall through May 31, 2023. From 11am-1pm daily, a representative will be present to answer questions and provide resource information, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Compass Clubhouse and Community Health Connections. Compass Clubhouse has provided green ribbons that can be worn to symbolize support of mental health awareness and residents are encouraged to stop by and to pick up a ribbon.

Winner of the Fran Longton Award for Volunteerism, Angele Goss (left), stands with Fran Longton, retired UWNCM Volunteer Center Manager and Tim Smith, Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of Workers Credit Union.

Community Celebration Event recognizes efforts of community members and partners to strengthen North Central Massachusetts

United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently recognized local individuals, businesses and organizations for making a difference in the region at their Community Celebration event on Wednesday, May 9. More than 150 guests gathered at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area to celebrate the UWNCM community network, which served over 170,000 individuals in North Central Massachusetts last year.

The event featured award and scholarship presentations, networking opportunities and games and activities. Event sponsors included Athol Savings Bank, Avidia Bank, Bemis Associates, Enterprise Bank and Trust, Fidelity Bank, NMDesignz, Rollstone Bank and Trust and Sterilite.

The award ceremony kicked off with the Legacy Partnership Award, given to 15 businesses that have partnered with UWNCM for more than 30 years to serve the local community.

Recipients included Anderson, Bagley & Mayo Insurance, Aubuchon Hardware, Banner Mold & Die, Bemis Associates, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Fidelity Bank, IC Federal Credit Union, Johnson Controls, Leominster Credit Union, Main Street Bank, Rollstone Bank & Trust, Sterilite Corporation, Unitil, Winchendon Furniture, and Workers Credit Union.

Next, UWNCM recognized winners of the Spirit of North Central MA Award for Corporate Leadership, given to businesses in three regions that exemplify charitable workplace excellence: Kimball Cooke Insurance Agency for the Athol/Gardner Region; the North Central Chamber of Commerce for the Twin Cities Region; and Workers Credit Union for the Nashoba Region.

Additionally, the Boys & Girls Club of Lunenburg received the award for Community Impact for their commitment to helping the most vulnerable members the our community by providing a continuum of services to children and families; and Angele Goss received the Fran Longton Award for Volunteerism in honor of her impressive volunteer efforts ranging from serving on the UWNCM Board of Directors to taking photos at the UWNCM Day of Caring.

Finally, two local students were presented with scholarships through the United Way Youth Venture program. Gray Dallaire and Kaitlyn Perrault, both seniors at Leominster High School, were recognized for their creative problem solving and leadership skills displayed while carrying out Youth Venture projects that tackled pressing problems in the community.

UWNCM President Kory Eng says that UWNCM was thrilled to bring community members together to celebrate their shared impact, stating, “We appreciate the opportunity to thank our corporate partners, volunteers, and our network of social services agencies for all they do to move our mission forward.”

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.