SMOC Annual Holiday Lunch 2019

On December 18, 2019, SMOC, in partnership with United Way of Tri-County, held the Annual Holiday Lunch at the Greater Framingham Community Church. Individuals and families of the Common Ground Resource Center came together to enjoy a hearty meal graciously prepared by United Way. The event was merrily closed by a Christmas Sing-Along session led by SMOC’s Director of Housing Operations.

New Office for SMOC Behavioral Health

We are excited to announce that as of October 21^st, SMOC Behavioral Health (SBH) is now open to serve you in its new location! The new address for SMOC Behavioral Health is 7 Bishop St. #29, which is two buildings down from SMOC’s main headquarters at 7 Bishop St.

Parking for SBH is available directly behind the building and an auxiliary parking area is available to provide plenty of parking spaces to accommodate clients, visitors and staff. Access to this area is located at the far end of our parking lot, on the other side of the metal fence.

Newly Rejuvenated Playground for SMOC Head Start/Child Care

We celebrated the newly upgraded playground at our 10 Roxanna St. SMOC Head Start/Child Care center on October 16 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This is another “Bright Space” project that was made possible by Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, CrossFit New England, Kettlebells4Kids, and UltiPlay Parks and Playgrounds, Inc. who raised all the funds for the project and organized volunteers to complete all of the labor required to rejuvenate the existing playground. These Bright Space play spaces will promote outdoor physical activities in nurturing and educationally supportive environments for our children. SMOC is deeply grateful to have such generous partners in the community!

WE DID IT! THANK YOU!

We surpassed both of our goals! Thanks to you, this year’s Purple Passion 5K/Run 3K/Walk and 18^th Annual SMOC Golf Tournament were the most successful yet!

The time, effort and funds you contributed will provide quality services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in our community. They will also extend Voices Against Violence’s hotline services to those in need of direct help. Additionally, SMOC’s Common Ground Resource Center will be able to provide more individualized housing services, warm meals, and direct assistances to our single adult population. Again, we are sincerely grateful to our donors, sponsors, event participants, and volunteers that made it happen. Thank You!

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

On June 12, 2019, 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.

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.

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).