October 2025 Newsletter
- Apr 8
- 7 min read
SAFE Wins $40,000 Grant to Expand Services to Western MA
We’re thrilled to announce that SAFE Coalition has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Beveridge Family Foundation to expand our services into Western Massachusetts. This generous funding will support the opening of a new office in Springfield in Spring 2026.
This location will offer free Narcan distribution, overdose prevention trainings, and a Diaper and Car Seat Bank; a Mobile Outreach Van providing one-on-one support with housing, benefits, and recovery connections in Springfield, Agawam, and West Springfield; and partnerships with local schools, hospitals, and first responders to reach high-risk families.
This expansion fills a critical gap and brings our barrier-free model to communities in urgent need. We’re deeply grateful to the Beveridge Foundation for supporting our mission to deliver judgement-free, compassionate care where it’s needed most!
Diaper Bank Receives Community Support
SAFE’s Community Diaper Bank recently received an outpouring of support from both local and philanthropic partners. The Franklin Cross Country Team delivered over 3,000 diapers, 6,700 wipes, and formula, all collected during a diaper drive they hosted last month. The team even ran to the SAFE office to hand deliver the donations!
In addition, SAFE was awarded a $3,000 grant from Digital Federal Credit Union’s “DCU for Kids” Foundation, helping us meet growing demand for essential baby supplies across Southeastern Massachusetts. These contributions ensure that families in need have access to clean diapers and wipes—items not covered by public assistance programs like SNAP.
With diaper costs up 48% since 2020 and many families spending over $1,000 per child annually, this support is more critical than ever. In the past month alone, SAFE has distributed over 2,000 diapers.
Beyond supplies, the Diaper Bank connects families to broader services like recovery coaching, mental health support, and education—making it a true gateway to long-term wellness. We’re deeply grateful to our community and DCU for helping us ensure no child goes without this basic need.
Want to support the Diaper Bank?
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Therapy Available for Franklin Residents
Need someone to talk to? If you're 18+ and live in Franklin, you have access to no-cost therapy through SAFE! No insurance hassle, no co-pays—just confidential, professional support.
This is a two-year program funded by the Town of Franklin Opioid Abatement Funds
Enrollment is open for 2025–26 Teen Programs
SAFE is proud to offer free teen programs designed to empower young people with practical life skills, wellness education, and emotional resilience. Parents, teachers, administrators—refer a student today!
Teen Life Skills Classroom: New Topic Every Wednesday, 3–4 p.m.
WhyTry: Resilience-building One-day Preventative Class, Wednesdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Online Diversion: School suspension alternative to help teens build wellness, communication, and critical thinking skills.
Art Pharmacy Leads Community Conversation at SAFE
Friday, November 14 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
SAFE looks forward to hosting Art Pharmacy’s next Community Conversation at our office in Franklin. This informal gathering will include:
A check-in with Emily Devlin (Art Pharm) and Erik Holmgren, Manager of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships, Massachusetts Cultural Council
A brief overview of the Art Pharmacy program
A discussion with the Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy about how, in partnership with Art Pharmacy, Franklin became the first municipality in the United States to use opioid relief funding to support this innovative program.
There will also be space for community members to ask questions and learn how to get involved. Whether you’ve already participated or are curious to learn more, this conversation is a chance to connect, explore, and see how art can support healing and community well-being.
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
*On these days, following the training, a counselor will be available to answer questions and help with resource connection. |
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
FAMILY RECOVERY CORNER
The Importance of Family Recovery
Jim Derick, SAFE Co- founder and Director of Family Recovery
Substance Use Disorder is a Family Illness
Substance misuse and mental health challenges do not occur in isolation. They touch family systems in profound ways—creating cycles of stress, fear, shame, and sometimes enabling behaviors that unintentionally prolong suffering. Parents may feel guilt or helplessness, siblings might struggle with resentment or neglect, and spouses or partners often carry the weight of emotional burnout.
Living with unpredictability—wondering if a loved one will relapse, self-harm, or return home—creates chronic anxiety. Over time, families can lose their sense of stability and identity, revolving entirely around the illness rather than their own lives and needs.
The Importance of Family Recovery
At SAFE, we know how profoundly important it is that the family, and each of its members, receives their own support. Family recovery is NOT about fixing the person with the disorder—it’s about healing the family unit and restoring individual wellness. Recovery for loved ones begins when they recognize that they, too, have been affected and that they deserve support.
At SAFE, support and recovery for families can include:
Support groups
For Families: Families Anonymous, a 12-step program for loved ones of those impacted by substance use disorder or mental health challenges. Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 p.m. in person @ SAFE (with a virtual option).
For Siblings: “The Ripple Effect,” a meeting for siblings (18+) of those experiencing substance use disorder or mental health challenges. Mondays 7:00–8:30 p.m. via Zoom (ID: 831 8134 8873).
For Grandparents: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Thursdays in person @ 6:30 p.m. @ the Bernon Branch YMCA
Peer Support
One-on-one support provided by those who have faced similar challenges. By appointment @ SAFE.
Wellness Support
Family WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plans). By appointment @ SAFE.
Yoga and Mindfulness Training. Saturdays 8:30–9:30 a.m. @ SAFE.
Therapy and Counseling
Therapy helps members process emotions, learn healthy communication, and set appropriate boundaries. By appointment @ SAFE.
Education
Learning about substance use and mental health disorders helps replace blame and shame with compassion and understanding. Knowledge empowers families to respond rather than react.
Breaking the Cycle
When families begin their own recovery, they shift from enabling to empowering. They stop trying to control outcomes and instead focus on what they can manage—their responses, emotions, and choices. This shift can create a healthier environment for everyone involved, including the person in recovery.
Healing also opens the door to forgiveness and reconnection. Families learn that love doesn’t mean rescuing or sacrificing themselves; it means standing firm in compassion while maintaining boundaries that protect everyone’s health.
Shared Journey of Hope
Recovery, for both the individual and the family, is a journey rather than a destination. It requires patience, grace, and ongoing support. As families heal, they rediscover joy, resilience, and connection, reminding us all that while addiction and mental illness may bring suffering, they can also become catalysts for profound growth and transformation.
No one recovers alone. Families who seek their own healing not only strengthen themselves but also create a foundation of hope and stability that supports their loved one’s recovery, too.
For more information, please call Jim Derick, Director of Family Recovery, at (508) 488-8105 or email jderick@safecoalitionma.org
New Webinar Series Begins with ‘The Disease of Addiction’
Thursday, Nov. 20 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. via Zoom
SAFE’s Family Recovery Center is proud to launch a new educational webinar series starting this November! This series is designed to deepen understanding of addiction, recovery, and the systems that support healing.
For our first episode, we’ll be joined byKathryn Branca to discuss “The Disease of Addiction: Why Science Matters” and explore how we can use science to better understand the disease of addiction. Participants will 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.
Up Next
Dec. 18: “Symptoms of Addiction: What We See and How We Understand"
Jan. 29: “Systems of Care"
Feb. 26: “Co-Dependency"
Mar. 26: “Section 35/12'
April 30: “What Does a Diagnosis Mean"
In The Community
In the past month, SAFE hosted or participated in 47 events across 15 towns, reaching over 1,200 people through events, educational programs, and community outreach. Check out the highlights from Franklin’s Trunk or Treat, Shrewsbury’s Fire Department Open House, RX Take Back Day, and more!
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
