New Support Groups at the Multicultural Wellness Center
The Multicultural Wellness Center is in the process of forming new support groups. Check out the groups below and contact the Multicultural Wellness Center (MWC) if you are interested in joining.
- Fathers Empowerment Group
Learn about your role in your family, behavior management techniques, communication, stress management and life balance, and alternatives techniques for when what you’re doing doesn’t work. - Anger Management Group
Groups for boys 6-12 and 13-18 - Trauma Group: “Beyond Survival: Discovering Pathways to Healing”
This women’s group will provide a mechanism for healing current and unresolved issues related to trauma and abuse. - Parenting Skills Workshop
Develop and identify family roles, improve communication, manage responsibilities and stressors, solve behavior problems, and learn techniques for long term success. - A Support Group for Parents of Sexually Abused Children
Beginning in September 2012, the MWC will offer a support group that will help parents cope with the emotional distress they experienced once they learned their child was sexually assaulted. The premise of the support group is to begin the healing process by focusing on the stages of grief and trauma.
If you are interested in any of the support groups or know someone who is, please call the Multicultural Wellness Center at (508) 752-4665.
News you may have missed
Here’s what we posted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn recently:
According to Forbes, Worcester is the 2nd happiest city for jobs
A powerful video on the Gay Rights Movement – worth watching -http://ow.ly/8zo9b
Have you seen signs about WooFood at local restaurants and wondered what it was? Learn more here: http://www.woofood.org/
Farmville for Change http://ow.ly/8Ao4s - what do you think?
Did you know? Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of alcohol and drug use by adolescents and teens in the nation. Willis Center’s Hope House provides residential substance recovery for young men ages 18-24 with specialized treatment for their age and stage in life.
Did you know? 5% of children ages 9 to 17 have a Serious Emotional Disturbance, which is a mental illness that impacts their ability to succeed in their family school, and/or community lives. Learn how Willis Center helps: http://ow.ly/8zpsx
In the T&G: a new collaborative pilot program, led by Willis Center, the Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry http://ow.ly/8ROxH
Keesha LaTulippe, Willis Center’s Director of the Office for Racial and Economic Equity, is quoted in the T&G about black history month - http://ow.ly/8SVsZ
From State Representative James O’Day: “Last week I was honored to be asked by the Health Foundation of Central MA to speak on the importance of building alliances between our criminal justice and mental health systems. As a social worker by trade I know all too well the need for increased partnership. Mental illness is not a crime, and it is time our criminal justice system better recognizes this.” Video: http://goo.gl/3HU5t
In the T&G: Worcester program extends helping hand to homeless youthshttp://ow.ly/8X4r6
The good: MA graduation rates rise http://ow.ly/90un2. The bad: Poor falling farther behind in school http://ow.ly/90unB.
Have you heard about the Worcester Education Collaborative’s Family Academy? Willis Center’s is one of the hosts. http://ow.ly/95sGR
From the T&G: “No Small Risk” tells the story of two Worcester men who were part of the civil rights movement http://ow.ly/9ivBj.
From Seven Hills Foundation:
The Boston Bar Association (BBA) has published the 3rd edition of the Parents’ How-To Guide to Children’s Mental Health Services in Massachusetts (Guide).
Download it here: http://bit.ly/wLxfTq
The Guide is designed to help parents in Massachusetts find the child mental health resources and services their children need. This newest edition expands the Guide to address developmental and autism spectrum disorders, broadens the discussion of school-based and special education programs, and adds many new references to the Resource List at the end of the Guide. This edition also updates the Guide to incorporate recent developments which include new coordination of care initiatives, such as Unified Planning Teams, that bridge programs and Departments within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative, which establishes a new coordinated system of community-based mental health services.
Worcester Magazine on how the medical community is addressing a rise in opiate abuse. “According to the state’s DPH, in fiscal year 2010 more people sought treatment in Worcester for opiate abuse than alcohol, and it’s said by public-health experts that only about one-tenth of those with an addiction seek treatment.”http://ow.ly/9STbf
Keesha LaTulippe, Director of the Office for Racial and Economic Equity, quoted in the T&G regarding Trayvon Martin’s death and her reaction: http://ow.ly/9Tj31
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
A selection of thought provoking posts, quotes, and more in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, and every day, we are grateful for Dr. King and the progress toward racial equity and equality that he helped to achieve. It is a day to celebrate and a day to remember the work that still needs to be done.
“And so even through we face difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. I have a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.” – MLK, Jr.
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – MLK, Jr.
From USA Today “There is the handwritten draft, complete with cross-outs, of Martin Luther King‘s acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. There are the notes about the ending of King’s iconic I Have a Dream speech. And there are the charming letters he received from children. These and other King papers — 200,000 documents in all — will be available online for the first time today, as the nation marks Martin Luther King Day.” Read the full article and visit the archive online here http://goo.gl/iJ0WI
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – MLK, Jr.
Former Worcester Mayor Joseph O’Brien says “As we reflect today on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, we should take a few minutes to reflect both on the what has been accomplished and on the work still to be done. We have much to celebrate, but also need to recognize that the we need to continue working together to address inequality and intolerance in our country. Today, too many people are still left behind in our schools, workforce and in our communities in general. Good piece by Paul Krugman in the NY Times on income inequality that is worth reading…” Read the column he references here http://goo.gl/HR4P8.
The NY Times Nick Kristof says “We honor Martin Luther King Jr. today, and remember him primarily as a civil rights leader. But he was also a brilliant thinker, strategist and tactician. Just as King borrowed from Gandhi, so smart protest leaders are borrowing from King and applying lessons in the Arab world, in the occupied Palestinian territories, in China and in Russia. Do you share that sense of King’s relevance to protest movements today?” See the discussion here http://goo.gl/lSCWW.
“Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of dedicated individuals.” – MLK, Jr.
And something to watch, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing the MLK section of Three Black Kings:
Check out: recent links from Facebook and Twitter
Don’t miss these links from Willis Center, originally posted on Facebook and Twitter!
Thanks to you – over 800 Thanksgiving turkeys donated! http://goo.gl/AGWg3
MA adds 10,800 jobs in October, unemployment stays a 7.3% (still lower than 9% national average): http://ow.ly/7ypBI
Check it out! Willis Center’s 20th Anniversary Video: Celebrating Success is now online http://vimeo.com/31849210.
Flu Prevention and the African-American Community from MA DPH:http://tinyurl.com/d5jb583
Check out spring internships at Willis Center: http://www.williscenter.org/career-opportunities/internship-opportunities. We’d love to work with you!
Make sure to follow Willis Center on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss any Willis Center news!
Worcester City Elections Tomorrow!
Willis Center encourages you to get out and vote tomorrow, November 8th. This your chance to have your voice heard and to change the community for the better! Click here to find out where you vote. Worcester Airport Limousine is offering free rides to the polls if needed tomorrow – Call (508) 835-6436. Scroll down for more information about the election and each candidate.
Click on images to view larger or visit http://www.williscenter.org to view a slideshow.
Image credits: Keesha LaTulippe and Bill Gardner
More information about the election:
Stand for Children School Committee Voter Guide
Initiative for Engaged Citizenship:
Mayor and City Council Guide, School Committee Guide, District City Council Guide
Check out: Social Media links from early Fall
Check out Misspresentation, a film about the impact of and misrepresentation in the media, especially regarding women: http://ow.ly/6TU0u
Starting to think about college? Applying this year? Check out Lt. Governor Tim Murrary talking about a new resource – www.yourplanforcollege.org – http://ow.ly/6TThU
Learn more about Domestic Violence services in Worcester country on the YWCA’s website: http://ow.ly/6TS6Y
South High in the NYTimes: http://ow.ly/6MvQ3
Did you catch the article on Black Legacy’s Black Families for Education Conference? http://ow.ly/6Gz1F Better yet, did you get to go to the conference? What did you think of the “School House to Prison House” video? Great job to the youth who created the film!
“Federal and state safety net programs substantially reduce poverty, especially among children.” Read more in a study of how state’s safety net policies affect poverty: http://ow.ly/6GyHu
The young men at Hope House helped to save a cat from the Leicester recycling center! http://ow.ly/6zNCd.
Heath & Human Services announces the SmokeFreeTXT: a mobile smoking cessation service designed for US teens and adults http://ow.ly/6zK2F
Worcester GDP Growth Leads New England http://ow.ly/6wd2n
The Lois B. Green Breast Health Center opened on September 12th: http://ow.ly/6rIlV
Secretary of Health and Human Services on how to protect youth from big tobacco: http://ow.ly/6kdZj
Check out these great upcoming events in Worcester!
Lots of great events coming up at the end of September and in October in Worcester! Of course, you won’t want to miss Willis Center’s own Celebrating Success 20th Anniversary Breakfast on October 26th. Learn more and get your tickets on our website http://www.williscenter.org.
Check out these other events and leave a comment to let us know about others!
Mayor’s Commission on Latino Education Excellence Report Celebration – Thursday, September 29th
Join the Commission, Mayor O’Brien, and Superintendent Boone as they unveil and celebrate the release of Creating the Will: A Community Roadmap to Achieving Educational Excellence for Latino Students in Worcester. This report culminates 6 months of research, public hearing, and multi-sector deliberations on closing the achievement gap in Worcester conducted by the Mayoral Commission on Latino Education Excellence. Recommendations target what families, schools, government, private sector, and higher education can do to improve outcomes for our young people. The celebration includes music and Latino cuisine. More info and RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241353802582083.
Main South Celebrates! 2011 – Saturday, October 1st
A fun-filled day, Main South Celebrates! 2011 will offer diverse musical performances, food, vendors, and activities for all ages. This event demonstrates collaboration between all members of the Worcester community, including local residents, business/property owners, non-profit organizations, and city officials. Main South Celebrates! offers the entire Worcester community an opportunity to unite through free musical performances, food, activities, and games for all ages. The goal of the festival is to celebrate Main South, the neighborhood’s revitalization efforts, and the reclamation of Crystal/University Park. The festival is family-focused, with seperate kids section equipped with bouncies, face-painting, arts & crafts, and more! The performances will knock your socks off and the foresty department will be returning to hoist children into the trees. As always, MSC! 2011 will have free burgers, hot dogs and hamburgers! More info on the website http://mainsouthcelebrates.org/default.aspx or RSVP on Facebook http://mainsouthcelebrates.org/default.aspx.
Initiative for Engaged Citizenship Candidates Forums – Wednesday, October 5th and October 12th
School Committee Candidates Forum – October 5th
The Initiative for Engaged Citizenship and the Social Justice Roundtable are proud to bring you the 2011 Worcester GOTV Initiative School Committee Forum. Come to this great event where you will meet the candidates, hear their views on critical issues impacting our students, and see clips of two youth based documentaries. Light Refreshments will be served. More info and RSVP on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228909857154327.
At-Large City Council Candidates Forum – October 12th
A chance to learn more about your at-large city council candidates before the election. Check back for more information and RSVP on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131255180302522.
You can find the Initiative for Engaged Citizenship on Facebook too https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Initiative-for-Engaged-Citizenship/201989353179894.
5th Annual Regional Environmental Council Slow Food Gala – Thursday, October 13th
The Slow Food Gala Host Committee and the Regional Environmental Council (REC) invite you tocelebrate the REC’s 40th Anniversary by sharing a special meal of local, sustainably produced food. All proceeds to benefit the REC’s Food Justice Program: UGROW, YouthGROW, Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters™, and the REC Community Farmers Markets. More info and RSVP: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e4qy6diofb9edddd&llr=mcf89lcab
