Around Town

Head of Group that Empowers Low-Income People Speaking at Watertown Group’s Meeting

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The head of an organization that works to empower low-income residents will be the featured speaker at the Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment’s annual meeting. 

Maria Elena Letona currently serves as Executive Director of Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts, a statewide organization based in Boston that seeks to build sustainable grassroots power in low-income populations. She previously served as Executive Director of Centro Presente, the Boston-based immigrant rights organization. Her presentation will explore two questions that many of us are thinking about – “How Did We Get Here? What Do We Do Now?” Letona also serves as an inspiring model to many through her passionate work for social justice.

Around Town

Town’s Veterans Holding Flag Retirement Service to Mark Flag Day

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To mark Flag Day, the Town of Watertown will hold a Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony on June 14. 

Watertown Veterans Services Agent Mark Comeiro announced that the ceremony will be held at Ridgelawn Cemetery (entrances of Highland Street and Warren Street), at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14. “This event is open to the Public as it would be an honor to have the residents of Watertown attend this prestigious and very special event,” Comeiro said. During the event, flags that have become worn or tattered will be retired and incinerated during a special ceremony involving Watertown’s veterans. If you have any questions, please call the Veterans Office at 617-972-6416.

Around Town

Watertown Man Named Director of Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center

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A Watertown man has been named the director of an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center in Quincy. 

The following was released by AdCare:

John Copeland brings to AdCare Outpatient Services in Quincy strong administrative and clinical experience acquired in intensive mental health and substance use treatment settings. As Director, he looks forward to continuing partnerships with community agencies and to the new challenge of managing the broad range of services – Intensive Outpatient Programs, Family Treatment, and Specialty Services such as Parenting in Recovery offered at AdCare Quincy. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Mr. Copeland graduated Siena College in Loudonville, NY, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and earned a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. AdCare’s full continuum of alcohol and drug care encompasses hospital-level treatment in Worcester; inpatient detoxification and residential treatment in North Kingstown, RI; and outpatient services at offices throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. AdCare … your recovery begins here.

Around Town

Free Support Group for Family, Caregivers of People Living With Mental Illness

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NAMI Family Support Group is a free, structured, confidential peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness, announced the organizers.  

A support group will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 7:30-9 p.m. at Newton Wellesley Hospital’s main building at 2014 Washington Street in Newton, on the second floor of the Bowles Conference Center. This is organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Around Town

Local Substance Abuse Prevention Group Conducting Parent Survey

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Wayside Multi-Service Center is conducting a parent survey about alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The anonymous survey asks about how parents talk with children about these subjects. The survey is part of the Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative and is being offered to  parents in Watertown, Belmont, Brookline, and Waltham, and is is intended to prevent underage drinking and other drug use, according to Wayside. “Research has shown that addressing the issue of underage drinking reduces the risk that youth will go on to misuse other substances,” the introduction to the survey reads. To find the Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative survey click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAPCParent

If you have any questions or need resources please contact Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey at 617-926-3600 Ext.

Around Town

Events for Children and Adults in June at the Watertown Mall

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The Watertown Mall invites the public to events focused on science, summertime and keeping active this June. 

The mall sent out the following information:
Mad Science
Mad Science of North Boston presents “Make UV Ray Bracelets and Keychains” on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 1-3 p.m.! Join instructors for a step by step demonstration and instruction to make your own bracelet or keychain using UV ray beads! Learn the power of sunlight and watch white beads change to colored when taken outside the building. The beads contain pigments which react with ultraviolet light from the sun, even on a cloudy day. Children are invited to come get creative and make their own color changing bracelet or keychain!

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Art Show, Birthday Party and Much More at the Senior Center in June

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In June, the Watertown Senior Center has an Art Show, the Senior Center Birthday Party and self-defense training, along with all the many usual offerings. The Watertown Senior Center and Council on Aging sent out the following monthly newsletter:

June Notes from the Director – Thank you friends, volunteers and Yard Sale supporters! The Yard Sale was a great success! Over 40 dedicated volunteers assisted with collecting, sorting and setting-up of the sale, and at the end of the event, a wonderful team of volunteers from the Watertown Community Foundation’s Watertown Helps Out Day assisted in breaking down and cleaning up. We couldn’t have had such a great day without everyone’s support!

Around Town

Local Groups Hosts Second Watertown Welcomes Immigrants Forum

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Several local groups will team up to present the second forum called Watertown Welcomes Immigrants. The group will host a forum with several speakers to speak about issues facing immigrants, sanctuary communities and more at the event on Sunday, June 4 from 2-4 p.m. at First Parish Church, 35 Church St. in Watertown. The group sent out the following announcement:

Join us for a conversation about protecting our most vulnerable neighbors and how we can help make them safe. Speakers:

Brian Kyes, Chelsea Police Chief

David Cohen, former Newton Mayor

Paul Donovan, Constitutional Attorney

Elizabeth Goss, Immigration Attorney

Emcee:

Rev. Mike Clark, Belmont-Watertown UMC

The Watertown Welcomes Immigrants coalition includes:

Progressive Watertown, World in Watertown, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, First Parish (Unitarian Universalists), Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), and Young Democrats for Watertown as well as elected officials and residents.