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Public Meeting with Karen Snyder, CBHI Court Monitor, March 12
Monday, March 12, 7-9pm
88 Lincoln Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Contact: John Allen
Join Wayside and other parents and/or caregivers who have been involved with the CBHI initiative! This meeting is our chance to let Karen Snyder, court monitor for CBHI, know how things are going and what snags there may be preventing us from getting services for the kids. She wants the good, bad and everything in between.
Child care will be provided. Print out a flyer: 3.12.12 Snyder Meeting.
This is an open meeting and we encourage you to spread the word! The more families involved the louder our voice will be! For more information, contact John Allen.
Legislative Breakfast, MetroWest Human Services Advocacy Coalition, May 4
Join the MetroWest Human Services Advocacy Coalition for its annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, May 4. The event begins at 8:30am at the Natick Elks Lodge, 95 Speen Street, Natick.
Wayside in the News: Dropout Rates Fall Across the State
Wayside’s Tempo Young Adult Resource Center is singled out as a positive community program in MetroWest helping youth stay in school.
A report released by the state yesterday revealed good news about school dropouts, with rates in Massachusetts the lowest they’ve been in two decades.
In MetroWest, though, away from the state’s major cities, the dropout picture is murkier, as rates stayed mostly the same or in some cases went up from a year ago.
Local districts still have far fewer students leaving school than the state’s largest school systems, like Boston, where 6.4 percent of the student body dropped out last year, or Lawrence, where the rate was 8.6. The highest dropout rate in MetroWest in 2010-11 was in Framingham, which lost 65 students, or 3 percent of its enrollment. Most of those were at the high school, which had 60 dropouts.
While slightly higher than last year, Framingham’s dropout percentage hasn’t changed dramatically over the past five years, hovering between 2.2 percent and 3 percent since 2005-06. Since then, however, the school has encountered new challenges in its efforts to keep kids from falling through the cracks, the recent recession chief among them.
“The economy is affecting everyone, including students,” said Christine Luzi, who leads the guidance department at Framingham High. “More of them are having to work to support their families. They’re helping their parents pay the phone bill or the electricity bill.”
“We have kids who are in the same boat,” Bellingham High School Principal Peter Marano said. “Their families have lost a home or lost a job.”
School officials say it can be difficult to help students balance work life with their school schedule. Some end up falling behind and eventually dropping out.
Other students drop out because they become discouraged by their academic struggles.
“For some kids, it just seems like the deck is stacked against them,” Bellingham High guidance counselor Robert Devlin said. “It could be because of home life, school life or learning disabilities.”
In diverse towns such as Framingham, where Hispanic students had the highest dropout rate last year at 5.8 percent, language barriers also present problems, Luzi said. Communication with an at-risk student’s parents can be thwarted if a bilingual counselor isn’t available.
“I have two out of eight guidance counselors who speak Spanish,” she said. “We need more teachers and counselors who are bilingual.”
With limited funding over the past few years, schools have had to find other ways to reach potential dropouts. Framingham’s Thayer Campus, an alternative high school that specializes in helping at-risk students, has been key to the district’s efforts, Luzi said, as have various partnerships with nearby social service programs such as Tempo Young Adult Resource Center and the Future Skills Institute.
“We’re doing a lot more work with organizations in town,” she said, “and getting (students) connected with the resources they need.”
In Bellingham, which saw its dropout rate climb from 1.5 percent in 2005-06 to 3.5 percent in 2008-09, the high school responded by forming a dropout prevention group a year ago.
“We’re not an inner-city school,” Marano said. “It’s difficult for us to get a lot of the resources that are out there.”
But the group successfully applied for a $15,000 state grant that has helped the high school buy laptops and software licenses to help at-risk students make up credits through online courses during their free time.
“That’s our primary (dropout prevention) focus right now,” Devlin said.
The initiative has had promising results so far: Bellingham High’s dropout rate fell to 2 percent in 2010-11, down a full percentage point from two years ago.
In the rest of Massachusetts, where the average dropout rate fell from 2.9 percent to 2.7 percent, districts will need to continue to stay on top of the issue or risk wasting the progress of the past few years, state officials said.
“This improvement is an affirmation of our commitment to reaching at-risk students,” Education Secretary Paul Reville said, “but also a reminder there is more work ahead — more students that need our support in persisting through high school.”
(Scott O’Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com.)
Metrowest Human Services Advocacy Coalition Meeting, Feb. 10
Join the Metrowest Human Services Advocacy Coalition for a meeting on Friday, February 10 at 9am. Our guest speaker will be Representative Chris Walsh.
Friday, February 10, 9-11 am
MetroWest Health Foundation
161 Worcester Road, Suite 202
Framingham, MA 01701
Tempo Photo Gallery
Thanks to the Social Innovation Forum, a program of Root Cause, for sending out a photographer to capture Tempo Young Adult Resource Center in action! As a 2012 Social Innovator, Tempo will receive 12 months of intensive support from the Social Innovation Forum, including consulting, executive coaching, in-kind services, and access to new networks, culminating in a presentation at the Social Innovation Forum’s annual Showcase in May.
Click here to view more pictures.
Wayside Editorial: Wayside and Police Work to Curb Underage Drinking
By Melanie St. Pierre
On Dec. 12, 2011, the Watertown Police Department (WPD) in conjunction with the Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC), a program of Wayside Multi-Service Center, along with the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) collaborated to hold an Alcohol Licensing Forum. The alcohol licensing forum was an informational event related to underage alcohol use and responsible alcohol service for all establishments in Watertown that serve or sell alcohol. Over 45 people from numerous segments of the Watertown community participated in this unique event. Attendees included Watertown licensing board members and local bar, restaurant, and liquor store owners.
The event was organized by WPD’s Detective Sergeant Tom Grady with Chief Edward Deveau making opening remarks to the attendees. Wayside Multi Service Center staff Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey, Sara Berkowitz and Melanie St. Pierre and two WYC High School Peer Leaders, Tessa Colameta and Michelle Gallego discussed their work and how it relates to underage alcohol use prevention. They shared statistics from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) administered to Watertown High and Middle School students. YRBS results show that underage drinking among students continues to decrease with roughly two thirds of WHS students surveyed reporting they did not drink alcohol in the past 30 days. Additionally, youth from the WYC Peer Leadership Program shared their perspectives regarding their work as peer leaders and why they choose to refrain from alcohol use and how they make healthy decisions. In addition, Caroline Guarino-Willchoski, Senior Investigator and Training Coordinator for the ABCC, presented about ABCC’s guidelines, rules, and regulations related to responsible alcohol service specifically not serving or selling alcohol to minors, people under the age of 21.
Over the past three years the WPD, with support from the WYC, have been doing compliance checks with all establishments licensed to serve and sell alcohol. The results from the last round of checks that took place in the late summer of 2011 were positive, with 29 out of 31 restaurants and 12 out of 13 liquor stores passing by not serving to underage youth. These compliance checks and the awareness raised by the forum are all positive actions keeping the Watertown Community safer by protecting youth and their families.
For more information on substance use prevention efforts in Watertown please contact: Melanie St. Pierre, Community Organizer, Wayside Multi-Service Center 617-926-3600 x307
Wayside in the News: Residents Invited to Clothesline Project Thursday
(photo credits: Deborah E. Gauthier)
Emily Cullen, a sophomore at Northbridge High School and president of the Gay Straight Alliance club, brought the Wayside Clothesline Project to the school. The public is invited Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Photo credit: Deborah Gauthier
NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – The Gay Straight Alliance Club at Northbridge High School, in its second year, is at the toddler stage. But its founder, 15-year-old Emily Cullen, has faith that the club’s message will help it grow strong and healthy in the coming years.
Cullen, daughter of Karen and Thomas Cullen, has already experienced the complicated and sometimes violent issues life can bring. And she also has firsthand knowledge of the damage bullying and name-calling will have on the mental health and well-being of a child.
Instead of staying silent, Cullen is speaking out and encouraging others to do the same by participating in the Wayside Clothesline Project.
Until Friday, a few hundred colorful T-shirts will hang in the lobby of the High School on Linwood Avenue, important messages on every one. Every day, students will be encouraged to write a message on a shirt, either for themselves or in support of someone they know who has experienced violence.
Each T-shirt color has a meaning, explained Wayside Counselor Judi Earnest. White signifies the violent death of a woman or child; red, orange or pink, rape and sexual assault; blue and green, incest and child sexual abuse; yellow and beige, domestic violence; purple, hate crimes and homophobia; black, cult, ritual abuse.
A few of those messages: “We shouldn’t have to teach how to cope with rape.” “Don’t be ashamed. It’s in no way your fault. Just stay strong and follow your heart.“ “It’s Because of YOU she is dead inside. Where did I go wrong.” “I am strong & beautiful and you did not BREAK ME.’’
And on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., members of the community are invited to show their support for the students and the message by visiting the school.
Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, based in Milford, began the Clothesline Project in 1999, and now has hundreds of T-shirts that are displayed at high schools and town commons throughout the Blackstone Valley.
This is the first time in Northbridge, however, and that is due to the hard work and insistence of Cullen, Earnest said.
“She’s (Cullen) the whole reason they’re here,’’ said club adviser Elena Batchelder. Coincidentally, she noted, “it is also no name-calling day’’ which is being celebrated state-wide at the request of Gov. Deval Patrick.
It is also the first time a school display has been opened to the community.
“We love the idea of opening it up the community,’’ said Louise Cabral, prevention outreach coordinator as she and a team set up the display Wednesday morning.
Cullen said she presented the idea of the Wayside Clothesline Project to club members who voted in support.
Though NHS had a GSA Club a few years ago, it wasn’t active, Cullen said. A new adviser, one who insists the club do a different project every month for the visibility, is making all the difference.
Cullen also believes the message of the GSA, one of tolerance and not just for gays, will draw membership. “It’s all about getting people to tolerate any differences,’’ she said. “Kids are dying from it now,’’ Cullen said of the name-calling and bullying. “It needs to be stopped.’’
She encourages anyone in the school community, gay or straight, to join the club and spread the message of tolerance.
Cullen is very open about why she is involved.
“My mother is gay,’’ she said. “She came out when I was 6 and ended an 18-year marriage.’’ Her father is remarried and has been very supportive. Her mother has also had partner for many years.
She is also involved because of a brother, now 22, who came out as a transgender when he was 16. “He has trust issues and is very shaky,’’ she said, which she attributes to “all the bullying her went through in high school.’’
Lastly, she is involved because she was raped a year ago, by a 19-year-old friend of a cousin. Her assailant is now serving 2-1/2 years in prison.
It is because of Wayside that she is comfortable talking about the experience.
“The Clothesline Project really helped me,’’ she said. “I want people to know that other people have gone through it.’’
Cullen said she waited two weeks before telling her mother about the rape. “I was with a friend and I was drinking. I couldn’t even admit it to myself,’’ she said.
Her advice other students trying to navigate through high school is to make the right decisions (she no longer drinks alcohol), have the right friends, and a support system.
For more information on Wayside, visit www.waysideyouth.org.
NEW Parent Support Group Begins March 7, Milford
A FREE Parent Support Group for parents whose teens have experienced Sexual Violence and/or Trauma and are in need of empowerment, coping skills and tips for healing their spirits. This is also a good opportunity to meet other parents who may have similar experiences that can help.
DATES: March 7, 14, 21 & 28
TIME: 7:00-8:00pm
FEE: FREE
LOCATION: Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, 10 Asylum St, Milford, MA, 01757
Contact: Jeanne Ward, jeanne_ward@waysideyouth.org, (508) 478-6888 ext. 131
Wayside Youth Clothesline Project Event, Thurs., Jan. 26
The Wayside Youth Clothesline Project addresses the healing among victims and witnesses of violence through the creation of t-shirts which are hung and viewed on clothesline by the public. The clothesline will be displayed at Northbridge High School from January 25-27.
Please join us for an Open Community Viewing on Thursday, January 26, from 5-7pm at Northbridge High School, 427 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville, MA 01588
This collection of t-shirts:
*is created by teens from area high schools
*illustrates the effects violence has had on their lives
*helps deliver their messages to end the cycle of violence
The Clothesline Project (CLP) is a program started on Cape Cod, MA, in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women and children. It is a vehicle for those affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. They then hang the shirt on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. With the support of many, it has since spread world-wide.
NAMI Basics Education Program in Waltham, Feb. 11-25
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness
Saturday, February 11
Saturday, February 18
Saturday, February 25
Classes start at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm. You must commit to attending all three Saturday sessions. The BASICS program is FREE. Classes will be held at Wayside Youth and Family, 118 Central Street, Waltham MA 02453. SPACE IS LIMITED.
What is NAMI Basics?
NAMI Basics is an education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years. All instruction materials are FREE to participants.
What will I learn?
The basic information necessary to take the best care possible of your child, your family, and yourself.
Skills to help you cope with the impact mental illness has on your child and your entire family.
The tools you will need to assist you in making the best decisions possible for the care of your child.
What does the course include?
Understanding the emotional impact of a mental illness diagnosis.
Understanding how the child is feeling and learning to separate the child you love from the illness that alters their behavior and abilities.
Current information about ADD, Mood Disorders, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, OCD, PTSD, Personality Disorders, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders.Current research on the biology of mental illness and treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and adolescents. Specific workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills.
Strategies that have been found helpful in handling challenging behaviors in children and adolescents.
Information about the school system and the mental health system.
Record keeping systems that can help you manage the paperwork to will need to have available to school and healthcare systems.
Information on planning for crisis management and relapse .
Information on finding supports and services within the community to build a community of support for yourself and your family.
Wellness tools and tips to help reduce stress and find time to help yourself.
Information on advocacy initiatives, that you can participate in, to improve and expand services, emphasizing the importance of personal advocates for the family and family support programs that really work.
For more information, please contact: Judi Maguire, Parent Support Coordinator, 781- 891-0556 x34 judi_maguire@waysideyouth.org
MetroSuburban Advocacy Initiative East Legislative Breakfast, Friday, May 18
2012 MetroSuburban Advocacy Initiative East
Annual Legislative Breakfast
Friday, May 18
8:30-10:30
Location TBD, Lexington, MA
Sponsored by:
Tempo named a 2012 Social Innovator!
Yolanda Ortiz (left) joins 2012 Social Innovators, Dec. 8
Congratulations to Yolanda Ortiz and the team at Tempo Young Adult Resource Center for being selected as one of six innovative, results-oriented nonprofit organizations in greater Boston to receive more than $100,000 in cash and capacity-building services from Root Cause and its partners. Evaluation and interview committees made up of more than 70 social issue experts from the business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors reviewed over 100 applications to select this year’s Social Innovators. This prestigious designation gives Tempo the unique opportunity to gain visibility, expand its network, and build capacity.
As a Social Innovator, Tempo will receive 12 months of intensive support from the Social Innovation Forum, including consulting, executive coaching, in-kind services, and access to new networks, culminating in a presentation at the Social Innovation Forum’s annual Showcase in May.
Eric Masi named Chair of Children’s League of MA
Congratulations to Wayside President & CEO Eric L. Masi, Ed.D, on being elected Chair of The Children’s League of Massachusetts last month!
The Children’s League of Massachusetts is a statewide non profit association of over 70 private and public organizations working to promote the wellbeing of children and their families. Through public education and advocacy, the Children’s League promotes the availability, accessibility, and quality of needed services to children, youth, and their families.
“Town Hall” Meeting with Rep. Jay Kaufman, Jan. 6
Metro Suburban Advocacy Initiative East “Town Hall” Meeting with Rep. Jay Kaufman
January 6th, 2012
9am- 10:30am
Edinburg Center
1040 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA
Rep. Kaufman will be speaking regarding taxes, their changes over recent years, and their impact on human services and the people being served.
All are welcome to attend.
Please RSVP to Danielle DeMoss at 781-891-0556 ext. 21 or danielle_demoss@waysideyouth.org
Rep. Kaufman has served in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives since 1995. He is the chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue. His district is the Fifteenth Middlesex, Consisting of precincts 14, 17, 20 and 21, of the town of Arlington, precincts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, of the town of Lexington, and all precincts of wards 1 and 7, of the city of Woburn, all in the county of Middlesex.
Check out Wayside’s Holiday Newsletter!
Download Wayside’s 2012 Calendar!
Download Wayside’s 2012 Calendar!
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network
1 Frederick Abbott Way Framingham, MA 01701
PH:508-879-9800 FAX:508-875-1348
www.waysideyouth.org
