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< Back Meaghan Peters Director of Development mpeters@safecoalitionma.org Meaghan is the Director of Development at SAFE Coalition. Since beginning her fundraising career in 2013 in Pasadena, CA, she has raised critical support for human service organizations at both the national and grassroots levels, including the American Lung Association, Perkins School for the Blind, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, and SAFE. At SAFE, Meaghan leads private fundraising strategy, overseeing corporate partnerships, family philanthropy, and monthly giving, while directing the organization’s signature gala. She focuses on building meaningful donor relationships, aligning philanthropic investment with mission impact, and translating SAFE’s work into compelling narratives that inspire sustained support. Outside of work, you’ll find her reading, spending time outdoors with her family and hiking with her dog.

< Back Cindy Kucich Front Desk & Community Engagement Manager ckucich@safecoalitionma.org Bio coming soon!

< Back Mary Clermont Vice President Mary is a business leader with hands-on and strategic experience in Human Resources across multiple industries. Connecting employee and community experience, her career started as an officer in the US Army. As a graduate of West Point, she focuses on elevating the employee experience to ensure a community and culture that provides inclusiveness and wellbeing. Her versatility is based on the prior roles in organizations she was a part of; Military, Putnam Investments, Pizza Hut and Fidelity. Mary also currently serves on the Board of the Hockomock area YMCA, serving as Chair 2018-2021.

< Back John Barrett Member Bio Coming Soon!

Thank you to James and his support network for raising awareness about mental health and raising critical funds to benefit SAFE. While this campaign is closed , we encourage you to discover others ways to get involved and support SAFE. If you are looking to host your own fundraising event or campaign, please contact us at info@safecoalitionma.org 100 Miles for Mental Health: James Flannery Wilderness Run Fundraiser for SAFE The Challenge Run the Hundred Mile Wilderness route in one continuous effort Push boundaries of what's possible Raise awareness and funds for mental health support The Rules Complete self-support (no outside assistance) Start with everything needed for the entire route Finish with everything started with (minus consumed food) One continuous effort from start to finish The Route Location : Central Maine Trail : Northernmost section of the Appalachian Trail Start : Abol Bridge Finish : Greenville Road Junction Direction : Southbound Start date: June 20, 2025 Meet James Flannery James's athletic journey spans decades, from team sports in high school to conquering Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks. His most notable early achievement? "Bandit" running the Boston Marathon twice with friends in 2007 and 2009—with no training. Athletic Milestones 2015: Thru-hiked Vermont's Long Trail (600+ miles total, north and back south) 2018: Began focused running training in Golden, Colorado 2021: Completed first ultramarathon (32 miles) Present: Training for the ultimate 100-mile challenge From hockey and baseball fields to rock climbing walls, from Colorado's mountain peaks to Vermont's Green Mountains, James has always sought the next challenge. The two Boston Marathons remained his longest single-effort distances for years—until he decided to systematically pursue ultramarathons. Age : 34 Hometown : Franklin, Massachusetts Background : Lifelong athlete and outdoor enthusiast Instagram: @famous_seamus Raising Mental Health Awareness + Supporting SAFE "Over the course of my life, especially as a young adult, I have struggled to maintain balance in terms of my mental health, and my personal relationships have suffered as a result. Pursuing athletic challenges has always been one coping mechanism I employed to keep the mental and emotional struggles in check. I have always drawn inspiration from others sharing their own stories of struggle and perseverance, and that is the part I would like to lean into with this endeavor." The 100-mile challenge represents more than endurance—it's about: Breaking personal barriers that seemed impossible Sharing stories of struggle and perseverance Supporting others through Safe Coalition Stepping into vulnerability by making this journey public Why SAFE? James has chosen to support SAFE because he believes in the power of shared stories and community support. Having drawn inspiration from others who've shared their struggles, he wants to pay that forward while pushing himself beyond his comfort zone—not just physically, but emotionally and socially. Show your support for James: Donate to SAFE For James, raising funds isn't just about giving back—it's deeply personal. "I am raising money for SAFE because they are helping young folks find their way in this world with education and community support," he shares. "If not for athletics, I may have leaned harder on various substances to numb my feelings of hopelessness and existential dread." James knows he's one of the lucky ones who found a healthy outlet, but he also knows that not everyone has that same lifeline. "Not everyone has athletics to fall back on to manage their mental health challenges, and SAFE is a place where these folks can go for guidance and support." About SAFE SAFE offers judgement-free support for individuals impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, and related concerns. We serve over 55 communities in Massachusetts with programs for teens, support groups, harm reduction education, resources for families in need like a community diaper bank, housing support, and more. Thanks to generous donors like you, our services are FREE for our clients--no insurance needed.

Compass Yoga with Brittany Capozzi Time: 8:30–9:30 a.m. Location: SAFE Office Date: Saturdays This therapeutic yoga series focuses on sensation awareness, emotional presence, and nervous system regulation. Using trauma-responsive teaching methods, Brittany creates a safe space where invitational language and personal choice help you reconnect with your authentic self and build self-agency in your healing journey. Why ‘Compass’? Like a compass, each person has a range of directions available to them. Holding a small compass at the start of class serves as a grounding tool to help practitioners stay present and attuned to their own inner direction through something tangible. Here's what to expect: Tips, exercises, and meditation to calm your mind, balance your nervous system, and improve your sleep Gentle stretches and restorative poses to restore your sense of control, increase mind-body connection, and help manage stress symptoms Props and modifications that make this class perfect for everyone—no experience needed! Register Meet your Instructor As a Certified Yoga Therapist, Brittany utilizes breath, movement, and guided rest to support those who are dealing with the effects of trauma. She has been teaching people tools to reintroduce their mind to their bodies through yoga for over ten years. She uses trauma-responsive language to help practitioners and clients rebuild resiliency in the nervous system. She believes everyone deserves to be able to express who they are without being stuck in trauma; there are choices for how we can move forward. When appropriate, she uses her Trust Fall Writing method and belly dance teaching tools—such as the hip scarf and/or veil—to teach individuals about sensory awareness. Her educational toolbox only keeps evolving: She is a certified Rest and Revitalization Sleep Meditation teacher, taught by iRest’s co-founder Anne Douglas; a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, taught by Master Trainers Bill and Linda Hamaker; and a Warriors at Ease Level 1 Certified Teacher. When she’s not teaching or writing, she’s breaking geodes open with her husband and enjoying their orange and black Halloween cats. Did you know? SAFE’s free support groups, youth preventative and diversion programming, 1-on-1 support, public presentations, and more are 100% donation and grant funded. Donate Today!

Our Approach Adolescent Wellness Education, prevention, and intervention services for teens and caregivers Family Recovery Center Support groups, workshops, & events tailored to those impacted by a loved one’s substance use, mental health, & related challenges Collaborative Care Resources, training, and support services, including Narcan training, diaper and car seat assistance, housing and employment support, and inclusive education

We want to hear from you! Our mission at SAFE is to support the needs of the community related to mental health and substance use. Your feedback helps us provide direct and local support to our community members at no cost. Community Survey: Addressing Substance Use/Misuse We want to hear from you! Our mission at SAFE is to support the needs of the community related to mental health and substance use. Your feedback helps inform us on the needs of the community and enables us to provide direct and local support to our community members at no cost. Identifying information provided to SAFE from this survey is confidential.

Board of Directors Wendy Cohen, MD President Read More Brian Hamlin Treasurer Read More John Barrett Member Read More Richard Alberts Member Read More Carie Bailey Member Read More Mary Clermont Vice President Read More Cobi Frongillo Member Read More Lindsay Semas Member Read More Randy Frederick Member Read More Monika Page, MD, FAAP Secretary Read More James Taylor Member Read More Reed Reynolds Member Read More Alan Benjamin Member Read More

< Back Hidden in Plain Sight A mock teen bedroom highlights for parents and caregivers what to look for. Date: Per request Time: Per request Details: Email to book: info@safecoalitionma.org Price: $150.00/hour Our mock teen bedroom provides parents and caregivers with insights into current trends related to adolescent substance use and highlights what to look for. It also offers guidance on how to have conversations with your teen if you are concerned.

< Back Marketing Materials for the Tree of Life Fundraiser Thank you for your support in sharing our Tree of Life fundraiser. Our goal is to highlight the opportunity to purchase an engraved leaf, while also educating our community on the incredible range of services we offer to our community. Our hope is the resources below will make it easy and enjoyable for you to help inform your network and community of the opportunity to donate to this unique cause. If you have any questions, please let us know and we again thank you for your support. Sincerely, Community Relations/ Fundraising Committee Anne Bergen, Val Comerford and Mary Graham-Louise 10 (EASY!) WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE TREE OF LIFE FUNDRAISER 1. Hand out brochures (please let us know if you need more and we can send you some!) 2. Share a post on Facebook using our social media graphics and captions 3. Make an Instagram post 4. Share the video on social media or in an e-mail to friends or family 5. Share a story of how SAFE has impacted you and your life and share a link to the fundraiser 6. Highlight a newsworthy item from SAFE showcasing the great work we are doing in the community (links here ) and add a link to the fundraiser when sharing 7. Ask your faith-based community if they can include a write up about the fundraiser in their newsletter, or have it included in a weekly sermon 8. Reach out to one local business to ask if you can drop off brochures about the fundraiser or ask if they would be interested in donating a leaf 9. Speak to your hobby or interest clubs about pulling together funds to donate a leaf, or asking them to share the fundraiser with their network 10. Ask to share information at your workplace and create a display including brochures, leaving your contact information if anyone should have questions GRAPHICS TO USE Please click on image and right click on image to save and download. social media graphics 1/1 flyers VIDEO TO USE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO SAMPLE CAPTION We are excited to share our latest fundraising initiative, designed to honor those we have lost and the courageous souls, who in their recovery, serve as beacons to those not quite there yet. Our tree, comprising of 156 engraved leaves, will serve as a visual reminder of the important mission of the SAFE Coalition. Your leaf can help us continue to support our community with programs like our Peer to Peer Program, our Vaping Cessation Program, Grief Counseling, Children Impacted by Substances Counseling, Learn to Cope Program, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Narcan/CPR Training, Diaper Bank, 12 Step Meetings and so much more. A purchased leaf will help provide vital support for individuals and families faced with substance misuse and mental health challenges. Be a part of this special fundraiser and share in the celebration of life by visiting safecoalitionma.org/treeoflife and purchasing your leaf today.

< Back Richard Alberts Member Rick has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Suffolk University. Recently retired Rick spent over 40 years in Finance and Human Resource management including almost 15 years at Putnam Investments. Rick served on various client advisory boards and was a frequent speaker at conferences. He was elected to the Franklin Town Council in the early 90’s where he served 2 terms. Volunteered as a youth coach and served on local youth and high school boards. Currently you can hear Rick as the voice of the Franklin Panthers announcer on local cable TV. He has been involved with previous fundraising events serving as the co-chair on a scholarship committee. Rick is married to Audrey and has 2 children Kristen and Tim along with 2 grandkids Kinsley and Griffin.