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SMOC Highlights

A New Playground for Pearl Street Family Shelter

We celebrated the newly installed Playground at our Pearl Street Family Shelter on October 22, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This “Bright Spaces” project was made possible by Jane Gibbon from Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, Ben and Heather Bergeron from CrossFit New England, and Amie Turrill Owens Kettlebells4Kids, who raised all the funds for the project and organized volunteers to complete all of the labor required to make the beautiful new playground. They, along with staff and families staying at the shelter were present for the event. SMOC is profoundly grateful for the time and dedication these organizations have put in to making new enriching play spaces for Pearl Street Family Shelter as well as several of our other family programs. The children at Pearl Street will now have a fun, safe, and inviting space to play.

Women’s Wellness Fair 2018

On October 15, 2018, we held the 3rd Annual Women’s Wellness Fair in the SMOC Café. With a theme of “Ladies, Your Wings are Ready”, the Women’s Wellness Fair strives to empower women with fundamental tools to excel in career and essential life skills.

Partner organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, WIC, A Place to Turn, Dignity Matters, Program RISE, and TEMPO were present to offer assistances and information, Dignity Matters graciously provided free bras to the women attending the event.

Women’s Wellness Fair seeded from an idea that sprouted three years ago, it has grown and become one of the most important events in SMOC Calendar. We are looking forward to having another one in 2019.

2018 Summer Jobs for Youth Program Graduation Ceremony

On August 17, 2018, we celebrated the graduation of participants in this year’s Summer Jobs for Youth Program. The program has been held successfully for more than 10 years to welcome bright and young talents and introduce them to social services field. This year, participants worked in the agency’s Housing Consumer Education Center, Housing Operations, Workforce Development and Finance departments to help with managing resources and clerical works, including research, filing and preparing important presentation packets.

The Summer Jobs for Youth Program provides a holistic introductory experience for high school-aged youth to the nonprofit world. With many departments that target specific issues in the community, participants have the liberty to choose and apply their skills to further amplify SMOC’s mission. Summer Jobs for Youth is held annually during the summer months from June-August. Pictured, Ryan (one of the 5 program graduates) receiving his Certificate of Completion with the SMOC Housing team.

Joan Brack Adult Learning Center’s Celebration of Learning

Joan Brack Adult Learning Center Celebration of Learning 2018

Thirty seven students were honored for achieving various milestones at the Joan Brack Adult Learning Center at SMOC on Friday, June 22, including eight students that completed the HiSET (formerly GED) program, 10 that completed the year-long English as a Second Language (ESL) program and 4 that passed their US citizenship tests and are now naturalized citizens.

The Joan Brack Adult Learning Center provides a nurturing learning environment for adult students in our region to continue their educational journey. Here, students find a place where teachers customize their lessons to meet their needs and to help them achieve academic success. Jeffrey McCue, Commissioner of the MA Department of Transitional Assistance, Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer, Framingham School Committee Chairman Adam Freudberg, and members of the Framingham City Council were present as guest speakers during the graduation ceremony.

SMOC Receives Preservation Achievement Award

We are proud to be one of the recipients of the 2018 Preservation Achievement Awards, presented by Framingham Historical Commission on May 31 at the Framingham Historical Society. SMOC purchased and rehabilitated one of the buildings of Dennison Manufacturing Company, undertaking significant rejuvenations to the interior and creating office space to serve as SMOC’s headquarters. Pictured are (from left to right) Frederic Wallace, Chair of the Framingham Historical Commission, Bruce Hulme, SMOC Board Chair, Dennis Giombetti, Framingham City Council and Representative Jack Patrick Lewis.

Annual Planting of the Moses Mohammed Memorial Sunflower Garden in May.

On May 31^st, 2018, staff, board members and friends came together to plant the seeds, remembered Moses and enjoyed the fellowship of the SMOC community. The event was opportunely ended with an ice cream social event for all participants. Watch for the sunflowers to bloom along Bishop Street in Framingham within the next few weeks.

Hollis Street Groundbreaking Event

On April 6^th, SMOC celebrated the launch of more than $400,000 in renovations to 73-75 Hollis Street, a SMOC owned and operated building. The Groundbreaking event was held at the 73-75 Hollis Street Police Substation and guests included Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer; Nathalie Jean, Framingham Community Development Coordinator; and Framingham Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson, along with board members, staff and other community partners. The improvements are subsidized by HOME funds, a city resource for community development that are allocated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Renovations will include interior, exterior, mechanical, and electrical repairs to the building, located in Downtown Framingham.

Ed Cannon Receives Award from MetroWest Advocacy Coalition

Ed Cannon, Safe Haven Program Supervisor, was awarded the 2018 MetroWest Outstanding Human Service Professional Award in Memory of Bill Taylor on March 23rd. Diane Gould, President of Advocates and Senator Karen Spilka presented Ed with this award, which recognizes a direct services professional who goes above and beyond to support the community of MetroWest. The award ceremony was held during the annual MetroWest Legislative Breakfast.

Ed has worked for SMOC for 7 years and has been a tireless advocate in breaking down barriers in order to give veterans better opportunities. Ed truly embodies our message of “Everybody Matters” and is most deserving of this accolade. Congratulations Ed!

SMOC Completes Development of Bixby Road Apartments in Spencer

SMOC marked the completion of the Bixby Road Apartments with an Open House on November 9th. We were joined by funders, community representatives, members of the development team and board members, to celebrate the culmination of this exciting and impactful project. This $14MM project involved the development of 42 new units of affordable housing in Spencer, MA. The project was funded by federal, state and private partners and will be managed by Maloney Properties. The 11-building apartment complex sits on 15 acres of land, conveniently located near downtown Spencer. Apartments are now available for lease. For more information visit BixbyRoadApartments.com.

Building a Culture of Care

SMOC’s history has been published by local author and Board member Hugo “Holly” Hollerorth. The book is called “Building a Culture of Care: The Ongoing Saga of the South Middlesex Opportunity Council.” It is an in-depth look at the origins, history and evolution of the organization through the years. Pictured here are the author (center) with staff members Susan Gentili (left) and Darlene Assencoa (right).