Page 65 - Healthcare News Sep/Oct 2022

State Website to Assist Survivors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence
BOSTON — The Baker-Polito admin- istration recently announced the launch of a comprehensive, user-friendly website designed to provide survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and their families with information on resources available to them in a variety of critical issue areas, as well as an interactive map tool for locating services throughout the Commonwealth.
Building on the administration’s efforts since taking office in 2015 to bolster sup- ports for survivors across Massachusetts, this new tool ensures that aggregated, important information is readily available and easily accessible on mass.gov. The website provides information on major service categories, including housing, legal resources, and employment assistance, as
well as more immediate support such as the SafeLink Hotline and area Rape Crisis Centers.
In order to further protect survivors seeking resources, the page also has an escape link located at the top of the page so that survivors may quickly exit the
page and be redirected to the mass.gov homepage. Additionally, the website and interactive map tool are both accessible on mobile devices.
“This new tool is another way to sup- port survivors in Massachusetts and let them know that they are not alone, and that there are resources available to them,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “Our adminis- tration is committed to partnering with survivors and advocates to facilitate the delivery of these critical services.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders noted that “navigating life after sexual assault or domestic violence can be frightening and overwhelming for survivors. This central- ized directory of resources will help sur- vivors across the Commonwealth to find and access a network of critical supports with a single click. The Commonwealth is committed to protecting and support- ing survivors and ensuring that they have access to the resources and support they need.”
Liam Lowney, executive director of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assis- tance, added that “we must continue to find innovative ways to ensure survivors have access to information and resources. This tool provides access to resources that
will empower victims and survivors in their decision making and ensures they have access to quality support in the wake of trauma.”
This website is the result of collabora- tion between the Governor’s Office, the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, the Ex- ecutive Office of Health and Human Ser- vices, the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, and the Department of Public Health.
Work Opportunity Center Receives Grant from Springfield Rotary
SPRINGFIELD — Work Opportunity Center Inc. announced it is the recipi- ent of a grant to help purchase outdoor seating. The Rotary Club of Springfield contributed $2,000 toward obtaining pic- nic tables for program participants of the community-based day-services program (CBDS).
The program will use the funds to obtain at least two ADA-compliant picnic tables that will be placed under a covered walkway on the side of the building, located at 73 Market Place in the heart of
downtown Springfield. Outdoor seating will provide program participants and the general public a safe, clean place to eat or rest, or for the agency to use as program- ming space.
As COVID-19 continues to be prevalent the community, the tables will provide Work Opportunity Center, as well as oth- ers, an outdoor area to use to help reduce the spread of the virus. In addition, the downtown location provides the sur- rounding businesses and their customers a safe place to utilize when they are there.
Adding an outdoor seating area benefits the Springfield community by provid- ing them a safe space to socially distance themselves and be outdoors. It is also
a chance to bring together the agency’s neighbors and their customers to make connections and form relationships.
CBDS enables individuals with devel- opmental disabilities to enrich their lives and enjoy community activities by provid- ing activities in five core fundamentals: education, social, health and wellness, life skills, and employment/volunteer. Career
exploration, community-integration experiences, skills development and train- ing, volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits, health and fitness classes, and socialization experiences are some of the activities provided within the program. The CBDS program currently services 84 individuals in the Greater Springfield area, with 32 individuals attending the program at Market Place.
Yankee Mattress Factory Raising Funds for American Cancer Society
AGAWAM — Yankee Mattress Factory, a manufacturer of handcrafted mat- tresses locally in its Agawam factory,
with showrooms in Agawam, Springfield, Northampton, and Greenfield, is raising money to benefit the American Cancer Society through Oct. 31.
In the past three years, the wives of two employee-owners were diagnosed with breast cancer. Both women are now in remission, and in their honor, Yankee Mattress Factory has set a goal to raise
$10,000 for cancer research and support for patients going through treatment in the Western Mass. region.
“Watching these two families deal with this scary diagnosis was difficult for all
our employee-owners,” said Adam Miller, president of Yankee Mattress Factory. “We are so grateful both women are in recovery and wanted to do something as a member of this community to help others on the same journey. We hope our customers will join us in our mission to raise as much as
possible to donate to this great organiza- tion.”
Through Oct. 31, Yankee Mattress Fac- tory will donate $25 for every Silver Col- lection mattress and $50 for every Gold or Black Collection mattress purchased at its four stores. The company is also accepting donations from customers; anyone who donates $20 or more will be entered into
a raffle to win one of 10 Malpaca queen pillows valued at $240 each.
A team from Yankee Mattress Fac-
tory will also participate in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, Oct. 16 in Hartford, Conn. Stores will be closed that day to allow all employee-owners and their families to participate. To learn more about the event or join the Yankee Mattress Factory team, visit yankeemat- tressfactory.com/acs.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
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