November 2025 Newsletter

Mar 13
5 min read

SAFE Receives Grant for Adolescent Wellness Center

The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation has awarded SAFE a $2,500 grant to support the Adolescent Wellness Center (AWC). This first-of-its-kind hub in southeastern Massachusetts provides free mental health and substance use services for teens.

Each year, AWC supports local youth through programs like WhyTry (SEL curriculum), Up in Smoke (diversion program), mentorship, life skills training, and new offerings such as drama therapy and trauma-informed yoga (coming soon!). These initiatives help teens build resilience, avoid risky behaviors, and stay connected. Funding will expand programming and outreach, ensuring equitable access to prevention and wellness services for hundreds of teens annually.

The AWC fills a critical gap in adolescent services by addressing rising rates of daily substance use, anxiety, depression, and isolation among local teens. Programs are trauma-informed, strengths-based, and designed to meet youth where they are—helping them remain in school, avoid future justice involvement, and connect with caring adults and peers.

Virtual Event Provides Tips for Self-Care during the Holidays

Thursday, Dec. 18 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Does the holiday season feel heavy this year (or every year)? Do you worry about how you will manage all that needs to get done?

Join us virtually for “Managing the Holiday Season: Strategies for Self-Care” to learn about maintaining your peace and increasing joy throughout the holidays.

Presented by Karen Bean, licensed clinical social worker, this FREE webinar will cover tips on how to prioritize your needs while also accomplishing necessary tasks and strategies to manage stressors.

This episode is part of our Family Recovery webinar series, a new educational initiative designed to deepen understanding of addiction, recovery, and the systems that support healing.

Miss our last episode?

“The Disease of Addiction: Why Science Matters,” presented by Kathryn Branca, is now available online!

Gain a deeper understanding of addiction as a chronic, treatable brain disease, learn how science shows us recovery is possible, and discover practical ways to apply the science to support themselves or loved ones in their recovery journey.

Help SAFE Support those looking to Begin Again

Recovery is possible, and it starts with you!

At SAFE, we believe everyone deserves the chance to BEGIN AGAIN, and your support makes that possible! Dec. 2 is Giving Tuesday: Give early and help us bring hope, healing, and second chances to our community.

Donate online or text safe2025 to 50155

Even more, the Lawson Charitable Foundation and SAFE’s Board of Directors will MATCH every donation, up to $4,500, making your gift go further.

With your support, we can stand beside those in our community who are looking to begin again.

Breathing Exercises to Usher you through the Holiday Hustle

by Brittany Capozzi, C-IAYT and Compass Yoga instructor

Breathwork is often labeled as either “calming” or “energizing.” For example, we hear that nasal breathing is “calming.” While it can be, some people find this unsettling and breathe through their mouth because this feels calm. Because no nervous system is the same, breathwork cannot be prescriptive. Only when we explore choices can we learn which exercises best fit the needs of our body, what brings rest or what brings stimulation.

This holiday season, try out some of the exercises below to feel what supports you and how. Do they provide rest or stimulation? All can be done seated or standing. Some may be easier to explore while reclined. As you explore, ask yourself: “Is there ease?” and “Am I being honest with my body, not pushing?”

Bee Breath

Bring your lips together, inhale through the nose and on the exhale through the nose, begin humming. If you’d like, bring your hands to your ears.

Do this for a few breaths. Notice what you notice.

Breath of Joy

On a single inhale, complete these three movements, each lasting about 1/3 of the inhale:

Raise your arms in front of you to shoulder level, parallel to the ground and palms facing each other
Move your arms out to the side, like a ‘T’
Raise your arms directly over your head, now making an ‘I’

As you exhale, release a “ha” from your mouth and swing your arms behind your back, leaning forward slightly to draw your ribcage toward your thighs. If you are practicing this exercise standing, try lowering into a squat while you do this motion.

Pursed Lip Breathing

Inhale for 3 seconds through the nose and exhale through the mouth (through ‘pursed lips’) for 6 seconds. The exhalation is twice as long as the inhalation. Repeat for a few breaths. What do you notice afterwards?

Reflections

Sometimes an exercise offers a different result the next time you try it. This is because context matters. Your state of mind, body’s energy level, and the environment all contribute to what we end up experiencing.

Did you try one exercise on more than one occasion only to notice different responses over time? Have you tried any at different hours of the day or while experiencing opposite moods?

Try these exercises and more with Brittany

each week at Compass Yoga!

Saturdays | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | SAFE Office

Feel like sharing your reflections? Reach out to Brittany.

GROUPS & CLASSES - WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Mondays

Postpartum Support Group, 10:00–11:30 a.m. at North Attleborough YMCA. Registration required
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

Counseling for Millis Residents, 3:00–5:00 p.m. by appointment.
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. Registration required.
Postpartum Support Group, noon–1:30 p.m. at Bernon Branch YMCA. Registration required
Teen Skills Classroom, 3:00–4:00 p.m. at SAFE. Registration required.
Big Book Study, 6:30–8:00 p.m., at SAFE

2nd & 4th Thursdays

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Bernon Branch YMCA

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

Get Support

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:

Learn how to recognize an overdose
Practice administering Narcan
Develop confidence in responding to an overdose
Leave with two 4 mg doses of Narcan

Upcoming Trainings

Norfolk: Wed, Dec. 3 | 10–11 a.m. | Norfolk Public Library
Medway: Thu, Dec. 4 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Medway Public Library
Foxborough: Tue, Dec. 16 | 4–5 p.m. | Boyden Library

*On these days, following the training, a counselor will be available to answer questions and help with resource connection.

Gala Sponsorships Now Available!

SAFE is thrilled to offer five different sponsorship tiers for the 2026 Gala, including our exclusive Presenting sponsorship, offering businesses and community partners a meaningful way to support SAFE’s mission while gaining high-profile visibility. Each sponsorship tier comes with unique benefits, ensuring that your commitment to SAFE is celebrated and remembered long after the gala concludes.

Accepted Payment Methods: Debit/credit card, check/e-check, ACH transfer
How to secure: purchase Champion, Advocate, and Ally sponsorships online, or contact Meg Peters, director of development, to secure any level sponsorship at mpeters@safecoalitionma.org

Thank you to Direct Federal Credit Union, Arbella, and Bluestone Bank for already securing 2026 sponsorships! We’re grateful to have them standing with us as we work to expand hope, healing, and access to support.