.png)
March 2026 Newsletter
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
SAFE Connect Provides Transportation to Care
For people navigating substance use disorders, getting to care is often the hardest part. A missed ride can mean a missed dose of medication-assisted treatment, a lapsed court date, or a wound that goes untreated until it becomes an emergency.
In suburban communities like Framingham and Natick where public transit is limited and most services require a car, reliable transportation isn't a convenience, it's the difference between staying connected to care and falling through the cracks.
That's where SAFE Connect comes in! Our rideshare program removes transportation barriers for residents seeking harm reduction services, treatment, recovery support, and more. Thanks to a Municipal Matching Grant from the Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership—a collaboration between RIZE Massachusetts Foundation and the MA Department of Public Health to double the impact of municipal opioid settlement funds—we're able to expand this vital work.
This year, SAFE Connect will provide up to 2,750 rides and offer prepaid smartphones to clients who need them to stay connected to care and book their own transportation.
Harm reduction meets people where they are. Transportation makes that possible.
We're honored to continue this work and grateful for the partnerships that make it happen.
New Support Group for Caregivers Navigating
IEP, 504 Plans starts April 30
If you're a parent, grandparent, foster parent, or caregiver for a child who experiences learning differences, health-related diagnoses, and/or is navigating an IEP or 504 plan—SAFE Coalition has something for you this spring.
Starting April 30, we're launching a free, six-week Caregiver Support Group, meeting every Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at SAFE. Facilitated by Karen Bean, this group was created with a specific gap in mind: caregivers who are doing all the things—showing up to meetings, advocating for their child, researching every option—but still feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and alone. This group brings those caregivers together.
Each week, participants will have the opportunity to connect with others navigating similar experiences, learn practical strategies for challenging moments at home and school, and build confidence advocating for their child in educational, healthcare, and social settings. Curated resources will be shared throughout the series, tailored to the realities families actually face.
Sessions run April 30 through June 4. Registration is free and space is limited.
Help spread the word: share this with a caregiver in your community who could use a little support.
LAST CALL: Youth Theater Program starts April 2
Date: Thursdays, April 2–May 7, 2026
Time: 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Location: SAFE Adolescent Wellness Center (Franklin)
Ages: 13–18
SAFE's Back to Life: Youth Theater Project kicks off this Thursday, April 2, and a few spots remain.
This free, 6-week program invites teens ages 13–18 to rehearse and perform an original play tackling substance use, fentanyl contamination, friendship, and asking for help. Whether a teen wants to be center stage or work behind the scenes with lighting, sound, or set design, there's a place for them. No theater experience needed.
The series wraps up May 7 with a public performance and community talkback featuring Dr. Joseph Shrand, a nationally recognized expert in adolescent addiction.
Back to Life: Youth Theater Project is made possible by the generous support of Mass Cultural Council, Lawson Charitable Foundation, and Community Health Systems Foundation.
Got Old Meds?
Ditch them Safely on National Take Back Day
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Locations:
Franklin, SAFE Office
Medway Town Hall
Norfolk Police Department
Wrentham Town Hall
Millis Fire Department
Most of us have a drawer or cabinet somewhere with old medications we're not sure what to do with. But keeping unused or expired prescriptions around isn't just clutter–it can be dangerous.
Kids, pets, or other family members could accidentally get into them, and flushing old meds down the toilet might seem like an easy solution, but it can contaminate our water supply and harm fish and other wildlife. Instead, safely dispose of medications at SAFE’s drive-thru disposal stations, part of the DEA’s National Take Back Day. It's completely free, totally anonymous, and you don't even have to get out of your car!
What can you bring? Any medication you want to get rid of—over-the-counter pills, prescription medications (yes, including opioids), and even medical devices like vapes and cartridges. No questions asked, no judgment, just safe disposal.
We CANNOT accept sharps/syringes.
Immediate Openings Available for Free Counseling
Need someone to talk to? SAFE offers free, confidential counseling with a licensed clinical social worker—and we have immediate openings.
No insurance needed, no co-pays, no waitlist!
Just professional support when you need it.
Family Recovery: An Excerpt from Today a Better Way
To the Newcomer:
Welcome to Families Anonymous. We know how you're hurting, because we too were once new in this fellowship. We were confused and in pain, but we found hope in our FA meetings.
We can't tell you what to do. We can only share our experiences with you and tell you how we found the strength to deal with our problems. Your loved one might be in recovery. Perhaps not. Or that person, for whatever reason, might not be physically present in your life. Regardless of your individual situation, all of us are here to welcome and support you.
We've learned that we can live fuller, richer lives by studying and practicing the Twelve Steps of Families Anonymous. The despair that brought us to this program no longer dominates our lives. We have learned that we have rights and deserve to be happy, but it's up to us to create that happiness.
These changes did not come about overnight. They happened because we attended our FA meetings, found sponsors, studied the Steps, made phone calls to other members, and turned to a Power greater than ourselves.
You are no longer alone. Welcome to Families Anonymous.
TODAY I WILL open myself to another so that both of us can be helped.
SAFE hosts Families Anonymous each Tuesday from 6:30–8:00 p.m. in person and virtually. Email Jim Derick (Director of Family Recovery) for more info jderick@safecoalitionma.org
Groups & Classes - Weekly Schedule
Mondays
Postpartum Support Group, 10:00–11:30 a.m. at North Attleborough YMCA. Registration required
SAFE Pop-up Office, 3:00–5:00 p.m., Millis Public Library.
The Ripple Effect sibling support group, 7:00–8:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 831 8134 8873
Big Book for Beginners, 7:00–8:00 p.m., at SAFE
Tuesdays
Up in Smoke Teen Diversion class, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at SAFE. Registration required.
Families Anonymous, 6:30–8:00 p.m. at SAFE and online
Wednesdays
WhyTry Teen Prevention One-day Program, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at SAFE Registration required.
Up in Smoke Teen Diversion class, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at SAFE.
Postpartum Support Group, noon–1:30 p.m. at Bernon Branch YMCA. Registration required
Big Book Study, 6:30–8:00 p.m., at SAFE
Thursdays
Up in Smoke Teen Diversion class, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at SAFE.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Bernon Branch YMCA (2nd & 4th Thursdays only)
Fridays
SAFE Cafe drop-in hours, 8:30 a.m.–noon at SAFE
Saturdays
Compass Yoga, 8:30–9:30 a.m. at SAFE Registration required
Receive Free Narcan Training
Join an upcoming SAFE Narcan training to learn how to administer this life-saving medication. Free and open to all! No registration required.
Attendees will:
Upcoming Trainings
|
Don't Miss Your Chance—Only a Few Tickets Left!
The 2026 SAFE Gala: Celebrating 10 Years is almost sold out! This is our biggest celebration yet, and our last gala until 2031. Don't miss your chance to be part of it! Grab your tickets before they're gone.
Help us continue our life-changing work.
Make your gift to SAFE today.
Our Contact Information
SAFE Coalition
31 Hayward St., Suite 2C
Franklin, MA 02038-0434
508-488-8105
