MAGAZINE
Sponsored by Community Connections of Brockton in alliance with United Way of Greater Plymouth County
SOUTH SHORE
Fall 2022
COMMUNITY
Resiliency Library -The Plymouth County Resiliency Library and Book Buddy program provide access to a variety of children's books covering a range of topics that help guide children in their social-emotional learning. Free books for all ages! Nutritious Home Delivered Meals - If you're a disabled Brockton Resident under 60 years old, you may qualify to receive Meals on Wheels through OCES | Contact OCES for more information | 508-584-1561 | MASS HAF | Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund | Learn more or apply HERE PIN (Parent Information Network) | For more information contact 508-947-8779 or pin@bamsi.org BAMSI Young Adult Access Center (YAAC) | Drop In Hours : Tuesday through Friday 2 pm to 7 pm; Saturday 12 pm to 5 pm | For more information email yaac@bamsi.org We Outside Not Your Average Self Care Day | Saturday September 17th, 2022 | 11 am to 4 pm | Fuller Craft Museum | FREE EVENT Nathan Chase; Celebration of Life | Saturday September 17th. 2022 | 12 pm | Teen Challenge | 20 Clifton Avenue, Brockton, MA 02301 South Shore Community Magazine and Leadership Conference Monthly Zoom Meeting - October 5th, 2022 | ZOOM 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | To register, please email Kasey.martin@ccbrockton.org Do you have upcoming events, resources, and opportunities to share? Email Kasey.martin@ccbrockton.org and we can add them to our monthly newsletters and quarterly magazines, as well as share them on social media!
Meet Thomas, Leona and Kimberley Martin The Martins live in Brockton, the City of Champions! “We like to visit butterfly farms, zoos, the New England Aquarium, Franklin Park and the Roger Williams Zoos. We like to do boat rides and go to the beach. Also like to have family cookouts.” Thomas is a retired postal worker and Marine Corps Veteran. Kimberley is a very skillful and creative crocheter and makes blankets for family and friends, with a passion for animals and children. She is pursuing a career working at a local childcare center in Brockton. Leona has a career and life coaching business where she works mostly with clinical professionals and helps them navigate the job search process. Leona is the 2nd Vice President of the Brockton NAACP and the Chair of the Education Committee. She is very involved in several community groups that focus on fair and equitable education for our children. Also a board member at the Fuller Craft Museum and a member of the DARE (Diversity And Racial Equity) Council within the Museum. “We have an older daughter that lives in Boston, a grandson and granddaughter. Kimberley who is 24 yrs old has a 30 year old nephew and an 18 year old niece! We are a very close knit family and we do lots of things together. The patriach of our family is Leona’s Dad who turned 90 years old this past spring."
Table of Contents
Rose Conservatory Needs Your Help! Page 27 Local Small Business Directory Page 27 Welcoming Our New Staff Page 24 South Shore Community Magazine Virtual Resource Guide Page 32 Additional Resources Page 28 - Family Resource Center Information Page 33 - Map of Individuals Served Page 34 - HIP/SNAP Page 35 - Talking with Youth About Vaping
Meet the Martin Family
Introduction Page 1 - About Our Cover Photo Page 1 - Upcoming Events and Opportunities Page 2 - Do You Know About Us? Page 3 - Note from the Editorial Team Page 3 - Get Involved Resiliency Library Page 4 Family Boutique Page 30 - 31 Fall Activities Page 6 Ongoing Family Activities Page 7 Effective Education Page 14 - CPLAN's Work
Featured Article Page 12 - Be a Light in Dark Times - The Lights in the Dark Foundation Health and Wellness Page 18 - Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative Community Spotlight Page 8 - Blazing Gold; Celebrating the Life of Nathan Chase Safe Spaces Page 16 - Should "Speak" Be Banned in Schools? Caring Adults Page 20 - Echoes of Depression: Migrant Mother Opportunities to Serve Page 22 - Day of Caring, Volunteer Southcoast Faith Page 26 - Cardinals
1
Upcoming Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Interested in how to participate? There are many ways to get involved for any time, schedule, and/or interest! Here are some ways: Articles and Art! Articles are important to the magazine. We are always looking for new voices- youth, adults, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, coaches, etc. If you are reading this, we would love to hear your voice! We love featuring art of all types- drawings, paintings, poetry and so on. Let your light shine! Advertise! The magazine is fully non-profit. Calling all business owners, entrepreneurs, and people having events! Support this magazine and your local community! Our advertisers make the magazine thrive. With more ads comes more ability for us to provide more resources. Join a meeting! The volunteers meeting for the magazine is the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30-7:30pm. Subject to change based on Holidays. We are meeting on ZOOM for the time being. Submit your Pic! Each issue of the magazine, we feature a family on the cover. We are beautiful communities made up of lots of amazing families! Why not yours? Got magazines? If you don't see the magazine in your area, let us know! We distribute to businesses, doctors' offices, barber shops, and other community places. Celebrate Champions! Nominate someone for our Community Spotlight. If you know a person or organization who is going above and beyond in your community, let us know! We would love to highlight them! Email: Kasey.martin@ccbrockton.org with any questions or inquiries! Submissions are welcome year round! Welcome to the South Shore Community Magazine Family!
We serve 28 communities on the South Shore. Our staff is comprised of our Director, Program Manager, School Liaison, Community Resource Specialist and Administrative Assistant. Language capacity includes English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Haitian and Cape Verdean Creole. We help families navigate child serving systems through information, education and/or referrals. For more information, call us at (508) 857-0272 Community Connections of Brockton engages the public, community agencies and community members in efforts to strengthen families and build stronger, healthier communities. By sharing ideas, knowledge, skills and training community members have the potential to become community champions. Building stronger, healthier communities requires leadership; leadership that is grown within a given community. The first step is to get involved with your community. Please make sure to become a fan of The Family Center at www.volunteersouthcoast.org If you would like more information about programming offered by the United Way of Greater Plymouth County The Family Center, call The Family Center at (508) 857-0272 or email Brocktoncc@gmail.com.
We're here with you through all times. Support, care, and guidance. Open by appointment only. Please call to schedule an appointment, or email us at Brocktoncc@gmail.com with questions, concerns, referrals and need for support.
The Family Center offers parenting programs, support groups, information and referral resources, assessment services, early childhood services and education programs from families with children ages 0 to 18. We also have specific services for families with children who may be frequently absent or have problems at school, have problems at home, have run away from home, or are being exploited
2
Parenting skills workshops Nurturing Fathers Parenting Journey Grandparents Raising Again Family Events & Activities Playgroups Child Requiring Assistance Diversion Help with accessing other services (Culturally diverse, multi-lingual staff) Drug Endangered Children's Initiative Local Consumer Advocacy Program School Liaison
Do you know about us?
GET INVOLVED
Hello South Shore! As we get ready for Fall, the South Shore Magazine Committee wants to remind you to be safe as we enjoy all the upcoming activities, events, and changes. This edition focuses on giving back to the community, welcoming new staff, and other amazing things happening everyday. As we kick off Fall with our Annual Day of Caring, we'd like to remind readers to spend some time helping others, too! Feel free to join our meetings, suggest new workshop or group ideas, and let us know if there is a new and unique need in our area. Also, we are looking for participants in our new Parent Advisory Board. Help us help the community and become part of the action! Always remember to contact us if you need any help! We at the Family Center aim to be a continuous resource to all parts of the community. Have a very eventful Fall! SSCM Editorial Team
3
A Note From the Editorial Team
"The Kids' Guide to Staying Awesome and In Control" Written by Lauren Brukner Illustrated by Apsley
"Emmy's Question" Written by Jeannine Auth
Donated through Amazon
4
5
Join us on the Plymouth County Resiliency Library! This free online resource connects kids, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with a free digital library. Access titles that focus on social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and other behavioral health topics in non-fiction and fiction form. Suitable for ages 0-100, there is something for everyone. Sign up today!
Collected by Magalie Pinney
THINGS TO DO...
Volunteer by helping... in a soup kitchen at an animal shelter in a homeless shelter in a church with a community event a local non-profit clean up a local park clean up your local streets Give back by donating to... animal shelters homeless shelters local schools a charity or non-profit organization nursing homes
8
Fall Activities
Ongoing Family Activities
6
Brockton Public Library Museum Passes Program Museum passes are available only at some locations due to coronavirus restrictions. Several locations require patrons to schedule the time of arrival online, but will accept the passes from the library. Call 508-894-1407 or check the museum pass reservation page for details on individual passes. The Massachusetts Cultural Council, Brockton Cultural Council, and Brockton Public Library sponsor a museum pass program for adult Brockton Public Library cardholders with library records in good standing. Patrons must have a valid Brockton library card in order to check out the passes. Passes may be reserved at the Main Library up to two months in advance. We recommend that patrons wishing to reserve a pass for a high demand time, such as a weekend, school vacation, or summertime, call as early as possible The library offers one pass per day to each museum. The pass may be picked up at the Main Library the day before or the day of the reservation. Passes are for 24 hours ($1.00 late fee per day and $25 replacement fee when applicable). Only one pass may be taken by a patron on a given day. Directions and other information are available at the circulation desk of the Main library. Battleship Cove, Fall River - Reduced price for 2 adults and 2 children Buttonwood Park Zoo - Free admission for 4 people. The Children's Museum, Easton - Admits 4 people at half price. Edaville, Carver - Admits 2 people free. Fuller Craft Museum- Admits 2 people free. The Hall at Patriot Place - Admits 2 people. Heritage Museum and Gardens, Sandwich - Half price for 2 adults and 4 children. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation - Free parking in over 50 of the State Parks. National Black Doll Museum - Admits up to 5 people.Located in Mansfield. Providence Children's Museum - Half price admission for up to 4 people. Roger William's Park Zoo - Admits 4 with a $3.00 discount Sandwich Glass Museum - Admits up to 5 people. Regular admission Adults $10.00 Children $2.00 USS Constitution Museum - Boston, Pass admits up to 9 people.
Work on your yard work/landscaping Play in the leaves Help a neighbor with their lawn Hang fall decorations Carve a pumpkin Try a new recipe Go for a hike Take a drive to enjoy the foliage Go apple or pumpkin picking Enjoy a hayride Read a new book/novel Start a new hobby Join festive fall events Navigate a corn maze! Have a campfire Take family photos under the foliage Work on fall crafts Visit a zoo or farm Visit a haunted house Go camping
WAYS TO GIVE BACK
7
Celebrating the Life of Nathan Chase
Community Spotlight
"BRILLIANT"
"AMAZING"
A memoir with contributions from Nathan's fiance Erin Leary, Maria Brennan from The Family Center with United Way of Greater Plymouth County, and Jamal Gooding from PACC (People Affecting Community Change)
"PASSIONATE"
Blazing Gold
9
"BIG PERSONALITY"
Just how do you describe someone who was so involved in the community? Someone who gave their heart and soul in every ounce of their work, their main goal being to better the lives of others? It’s really hard. Nearly impossible. There are not enough good things to say that will convey the message of just how much they truly did for others. We, at the Family Center with United Way of Greater Plymouth County, were fortunate to have someone like Nathan in our circle, willing to help with whatever we needed. Nathan unselfishly donated his time in service to others for the various initiatives The Family Center and The United Way of Greater Plymouth County sponsored. Nathan was a longstanding South Shore Community Magazine committee member, always contributing new and interesting information, content, and resources. He always had someone to suggest for Community Spotlight, always willing to give others in the community a shout out for the good they were doing, while behind the scenes, he was working tirelessly. Nathan had worked facilitating Nurturing Fathers groups at Teen Challenge in conjunction with The Family Center. He was a force of nature in his ability to see where others were struggling and assist them in finding a more positive path forward from what many graduates were working to overcome.Nathan used his lived experiences to inform his facilitation skills and was always humbled by any kindness he received in support of his future goals of improving the community one life at a time. Nathan ran many Nurturing Fathers groups for us at the Family Center. Throughout his work as a Nurturing Father facilitator, he was helping fathers to connect with their children and their parenting in new and unique ways without judgment and with all of the support he could offer. There are countless individuals whose lives were impacted for the better by their experience of knowing Nathan. More recently, Nathan was collaborating with us about a possible grant that would allow him to assign some interns and volunteers to help work on the magazine, contribute content, distribute editions, and just help with general Family Center day to day activities. He didn’t just think about himself, or the organization he was in. He thought about everyone. How could he make everything work out to benefit as many people as possible? We were fortunate to be able to speak with Erin Leary, his fiancé, to get as much information about him as possible to truly show just how amazing of a person he was. As she prepares for his Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 17th, she has been overwhelmed with joy in knowing just how highly everyone thought of him and the impact he leaves behind. Nate, as his close friends and family called him, had been with Erin for one and a half years. Erin and Nate both worked together in similar fields, and shared many of the same passions and goals. The descriptive words above were just some of the words Erin used to describe her fiancé. “He was like blazing gold!” She was bursting with love and admiration for everything he has done and everything his legacy will continue to do for those in need. Erin shared the most wonderful story of an event recently. “Nate was smart, brilliant, and loved helping people. He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. We were staying at a rental property. There wasn’t any air conditioning or fans, so we had just purchased a bunch of fans to keep the apartment cool while we were staying there. I got home one day to find all the brand-new fans gone, and the apartment hot. I asked Nathan “what happened to the fans?” and he replied simply “I gave them to (so and so), they needed them”. Nathan was ever giving, caring, and thoughtful. Entirely selfless. Nate grew up in a difficult, abusive environment. He overcame a lot. He started his own company for supplements and even patented a protein bar. Nate served for some time in the military, stationed in Italy. He was very into bodybuilding and staying in shape. Erin described him as “very Christian, very dedicated to God. It completely transformed his life”. In his own words as told by Erin, he “lived 6 different lives” as his personality, priorities, and passions changed throughout his struggles and triumphs. He went from the top, financially well off, stable, and doing well, back down to the bottom with nothing due to addiction, and then as he came back up again, he used his experiences to help others. Nate was involved with various organizations such as HEAL Coalition (Helping to End Addiction Long Term), Father Bills and Main Spring, PACC, United Way of Greater Plymouth County and the Family Center, as well as one of his more engaged commitments, Teen Challenge. While seeking help from Teen Challenge, Nate used his time during their program to truly give back to the community, get involved, and make a difference. He helped to start up “Recovery Ride”, and stuck with it through his travels. In Spring of 2022, he became full time with PACC as the Director of Operations. During his time with PACC, Nate helped to obtain housing for children who aged out of DCF foster care, worked on grant writing, and also aided in workforce development and expanding housing for young adults in and around Brockton and Fall River. Jamal Gooding, Executive Director and founder of PACC (People Affecting Community Change), describes Nate as “instrumental” in the day to day operations of PACC’s expansion of continuing projects. “He was strong in his faith and constant and professional”. Additional pursuits and passions included mentoring and counseling, and of course, his faith. He credited his success at Teen Challenge as well as his strides in transforming his life to God and his Faith. Nate was a father to three children with his former wife, ages 17, 19, and 24, as well as to his fiancé Erin’s two children from her previous marriage. Erin described him as an amazing role model and father figure to her children. Due to his history of addiction, his relationship with his own children was strained, but he was dedicated to rebuilding his relationship with them while being accepting and patient to give them as much time as they needed. “He was very proud of all the kids”. Through his mentoring, he used his personal experiences as lessons and cautionary tales, which gave him a better relationship with those he worked with as someone who was credible and relatable. It’s easy for someone who has never gone through it to preach about all the right things to do and the right ways to do those things, but hearing it from someone who has gone through the rocky ride themselves who has now bettered themselves, leaves a much bigger impression. Nate cherished these relationships, making life-long friends through his efforts.
"SMART"
"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason; bringing something we must learn; and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return; well I don't know if I believe that's true; but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.."- Stephen Schwartz Thanks for the privilege of knowing you, Nate; rest in the sweetest of peace.
10
Teen Challenge (20 Clifton Avenue, Brockton, MA 02301) is holding a Celebration of Life for Nate on September 17th, 2022 at 12 pm, with doors opening at 11 am. They are encouraging guests to wear colors (even bright ones!) and join them for this occasion with stories and love to share. There will be fellowship and food following the serve. For those unable to make the service, it will be live streamed with information to follow.
11
12
13
Featured Article
Be a Light in Dark Times
Shantel Rocha grew up in East Taunton. She describes her mother as one of the sweetest, caring, women you will ever meet despite a multitude of medical obstacles in her way, and her father as one of the most hard-working men you will ever meet, with the intent solely to help others. Her late maternal grandmother was a pillar holding her family down prior to her passing, and her maternal grandfather was a well-known Veteran with countless titles and an advocational legacy that lives on, even after his passing. Her paternal grandmother was strong and connected to nature. Her paternal grandfather had a tough exterior and soft interior, beating cancer once for it to take his life later. Surrounded by amazing role models, Shantel was destined for greatness. She married her High School Sweetheart in 2007. She is a mother to a teenage son who is now venturing on his own path, but who has been instrumental in the development of her biggest ongoing project. Just what is this big project? First off, let’s introduce the need. “Let’s just say I have experience in all areas of grief, loss, heartache and struggle. Most of us do-right? It makes us who we are. It helps us to determine how we will live our lives. We take these tools and they help us pave a path on our rocky roads. My road leads to helping others with grief, loss, heartache and struggle-in any form. In May (2020) when we were going through something this world never expected…I started a group on Social Media. I wanted it to be a space where we could help small businesses that were struggling while also giving to those in need.” So how would Shantel do this? How could she create a space that both supported businesses and helped those in need? She began by purchasing items from small businesses. This allowed small businesses sales while also giving them marketing and exposure. She then created a system to allow people to win those items through raffles, which helped to raise money for important causes while allowing someone to win the item for a lower cost than market value, but generating a high profit for the cause in question. Shantel’s number one goal? “That is when Love & Light was born. That is when I decided to truly be a light in dark times” This ongoing mission consists of two different parts: Love and Light and Lights in the Dark Foundation. Love and Light LLC also has a collection of small businesses that pay reasonable fee (with a portion going to the Foundation) to be a part of Love and Light Roots. Participants are able to exclusively promote or sell items via online and at events. They also donate items as needed, or sell items to be raffled off to earn money for the current cause for Lights in the Dark. Causes for Lights in the Dark can be nominated through their website, and they have regular meetings to determine the best possible cause to currently support. Lights in the Dark isn’t just about doing one thing – its about doing everything possible to help in every way – from one cause to another. Always helping! “This Foundation is unlike any other as we want to help as many causes as possible. Anything from a new wheelchair to a Holiday meal is happening in our missions. Our board consists of beautiful alike hearts and minds with one common goal-to light up the darkness! There are so many people in need and many have a hard time reaching out for help. Some are nominated, some we just see needing support and step in. We have been able to help hundreds of people in some way. We aren’t stopping there. We have big plans for the future for our “Ohana” which means family…no one is left behind. I am so beyond proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. The group now has over 2,400 members and counting. We grow in numbers and strength on a daily basis. We have helped hundreds of small businesses and causes in some way. With all of this being said-I knew I needed to keep going." Other important members of the Lights in the Dark Foundation include Keara Allen, Lauren Silva, Kenneth Anthony Rocha III (Shantel’s son), and Eva Henault. They make up not just a team, but a family! Lauren has repeatedly held annual events for local children in need of haircuts and school supplies. Keara has been involved with collecting for Cancer efforts. Eva always finds a way to start collections to help fellow employees in need. Kenneth is Shantel’s right hand for prep and ideas, always giving a fresh set of eyes. Collectively, this group just wants to make a difference in any way possible! With this article, we wanted to highlight recent causes Lights in the Dark has been working on. With donations and purchases of small businesses, Lights in the Dark was able to: -Donate plants and gardening supplies to the CCBC Recovery Home to help women along their healing journey. In memory of Shantel’s mother-in-law (Lisa’s Love), the women will be able to plant, water and maintain the plants as part of their recovery plan. A tree and plaque was also placed to enjoy for years to come. -Donated toiletries and “feel good” items in memory of Ash (Awareness of Ash”) Other causes include helping children and adults impacted by illness and/or cancer, memorial funds, and more. We cannot thank Shantel and the Lights in the Dark Foundation enough for all the good they are doing in the community. Keep up the fantastic work! To learn more about this amazing cause, please visit their website by scanning this code or clicking HERE.
Do you need resources for your child in school? There are many local organizations to help. Contact your local school system for more information about some networks and resources that may help with your needs! Remember, always advocate for your child!
There is a common misguided belief that parents of color are not fully committed to engaging in their children’s education. The reality is that families of color are not met in a culturally sensitive manner that is inclusive of who they are which does not reflect the diverse families that exist in schools in communities of color. Moreover, they face unique barriers to school engagement, such as language barriers, inflexible work schedules, unstable housing, and food and financial instability. From a structural perspective, BIPOC parents are often marginalized and deprived of key resources that invest in their development and opportunities to gain life stability. CPLAN aims to shift the perception of how key decision makers perceive and embrace parents of color to create the pathways to meaningfully engage them. CPLAN’s Parent Leadership training series is designed to build knowledge of parent advocacy, shaping, and sustaining parent councils, producing meeting agendas, facilitating meetings, engaging community leaders and other key stakeholders, and partnering with school administrators to generate equitable policies and practices. The goal is for parents to gain skills to advocate for their children’s educational experiences. The Virtual Resource Hub is a centralized contact resource center for CPLAN to connect families to all the social services, guidance, and support groups available to meet their needs. Moreover, using the evidence-based ‘Train-the-Trainer’ model, our Reshaping Community Wellness workshop will be teaching parents and educators how to hold mental wellness discussions in their homes, schools, and greater community. Schools benefit from happy, healthy families, and families benefit from supportive schools that affirm their mental wellness. This training is centered around a holistic approach that addresses all elements of wellness - mind, body, and spirit. Working from an African/Afro-Caribbean diasporic lens, our team has crafted the modular curriculum to address the specific needs of Black and Latinx communities. The curriculum covers barriers to addressing mental wellness, triggers in the workplace, decolonization, and racial trauma, and when to refer people to resources. CPLAN’s approach to achieving educational equity entails a multilevel consideration of the interrelated individual, family, community, and social forces that impacts their ability to engage in their child’s education. The public health and economic impacts in communities that our organization engages are of underserved, low-income communities of color. Families in these communities are impacted largely because they have faced historical and current systemic disadvantages that lead to job insecurity, higher rates of unemployment, and lack of (stable) access to basic needs like affordable housing, food, and internet. Unsurprisingly, we observed that many families in Boston and Brockton are struggling even more with food, financial, and housing insecurities. These competing priorities cause low educational involvement due to many families being in a constant state of survival. Additionally, the lack of understanding about these inequitable systems, including education, causes many parents/caregivers not to recognize the importance of their advocacy towards equity. As a result, the problems that we focus on are complex and intertwined. Our Parents as Partners Program is an opportunity to change the way education advocacy and family engagement has been done historically. By equipping parents to understand and shape policies and practices with school districts, we are more likely to make education more culturally responsive, inclusive of all types of learners, and innovatively prepare students for post-graduation.
15
14
Educational Advocacy
Effective Education
CPLAN's Work By Ivelisse Caraballo
Should "Speak" Be Banned in Schools? By Elijah Pinney
Source: https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2018/09/28/banned-book-highlight-speak-by-laurie-halse-anderson/
Safe Spaces
17
16
Speak is a young adult fiction novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson that chronicles the story of Melinda, a freshman girl in high school who struggles with shame, isolation, and expressing herself after having been sexually assaulted. According to the article "Banned Book Highlight: "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson," by Savannah Winkler, Speak is one of the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books between 2000 and 2009, for its supposed explicit sexual content. Yet, despite being a top challenged book, the novel Speak should not be banned from school curricula, which is something that both sources exemplify. Most pertinently, Speak should not be banned since it demonstrates that survivors of sexual violence can still voice their experiences, and use that to grow from them. This is embodied when Winkler's article states, "Melinda is a voice for thousands of victims trying to remember how to use their own . . . Survivors like Melinda are finally realizing the impact they can make by speaking up" (Winkler), and when it is said in the story, "Andy Evans raped me when I was drunk and too young to know what was happening . . . I can grow . . . Mr. Freeman: 'You've been through a lot, haven't you?' The tears dissolve the last block of ice in my throat. I feel the frozen stillness melt down through the inside of me . . . Words float up. Me: 'Let me tell you all about it'" (Anderson, 198). With both mediums, whether directly stated or evidenced by plot, it is clearly shown that Melinda finally spoke up, recalling her story to another, and that impacted her by relieving some of her internal trauma. Hence, this story exhibited that it was, indeed, possible, for a person to rekindle their voice after having had such terrible actions forced upon them, and that doing so would and does only affect their lives for the better; by actually letting them emerge from the silence. Therefore, if that is illustrated in the novel, then it should not be taken away from schools, because it such holds great worth in aiding any who have been made victims of sexual assault in our society at last come out of the shadows. Furthermore, schools should not outlaw Speak because it actually carries educational value, with an eloquent use of literary devices that render it important for school curricula. For instance, in the article, Winkler writes, "The novel is incredibly effective in its use of character and voice to explore such a difficult subject . . . Imagery and symbolism express the intense emotions Melinda must grapple with on her way to recovery" (Winkler), and Melinda herself comments, "I can see it in my head: a strong old oak tree with a wide scarred trunk and thousands of leaves reaching to the sun . . . But when I try to carve it, it looks like a dead tree . . . I can't bring it to life" (Anderson, 78), and, "I look at my homely sketch. It doesn't need anything . . . It isn't perfect and that makes it just right" (Anderson, 198). This altogether conveys that there are many narrative techniques in the story that mirror Melinda's feelings. Of course, the article bluntly tells of this, but, given Melinda's decadent and repressive encounter with sexual violence, it is evident that the recurring theme of her progression in drawing a tree correctly in the story is specifically symbolic of her growth. The fact that her trees, her artistic motif, in the beginning consistently appeared weak and dead seems to represent that she herself could not grow as well; her own inner workings were portrayed via her art. But as the story progressed, so did Melinda's artistic capability, in tandem with her psychological health (particularly at the end), further indicating that the drawing of trees was symbolic of her ability to grow. At any rate, this analysis communicates that the novel Speak offers literary devices which need to be decoded to be understood. If that is the case, then Speak should not be banned in schools because it truthfully includes scholastic literary content, the type that may even be taught in school curricula, construing it as a good educational resource. Lastly, the book Speak should not be banned from schools because it is realistic and honest, and, being so relatable, can help its younger audiences (who constitute these schools) understand and navigate the challenges of their lives. Evidence of this comes when the article proclaims, "Melinda is authentic, which makes it easy for readers to identify with her . . . I first read "Speak" when I was a freshman in high school, just like Melinda. Her interiority mirrored mine. She is hilarious, flawed, and empathetic" (Winkler), and when Melinda explains, "I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with. I am Outcast" (Anderson, 4). These quotes both highlight how the protagonist's circumstances have or do correspond with those young adult audiences, and by extent, students, face. Winkler was able to relate to Melinda's reflective personality at around the same grade, and Melinda's introduction resonates with what new people at a new school can feel: loneliness. Therefore, Melinda's story has the capacity to provoke its school-age readers to reflect on their own personal situations, and this reflection may subsequently drive this audience to improve those situations. Especially if it is based upon how Melinda herself does so in the story. Hence, since the novel's veracity can aid students in contemplating, and dealing with, their own hardships, Speak should not be banned from schools. In summary, while Speak is a top challenged book for its inclusion of sexual content, the novel should not be banned in school curriculums. The book itself as well as a reputable examination of it designates it as simply too important, too beneficial for so many people in such different ways. Whether these ways be by helping those subject to sexual assault realize they can speak for themselves, being of educational merit in schools in the first place, or adhering with teenage life, this story of a girl gaining the will to break the bonds of silence has proven to be a valuable resource for young adult audiences. One that will be worth cherishing for decades to come.
18
19
Health and Wellness
20
Echoes of Depression: Migrant Mother By Elijah Pinney
Sources: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/stories/articles/2014/4/14/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange/
"Migrant Mother" is a photograph taken by the photographer Dorothea Lange in 1936 in Nipomo, California, USA, at the tail end of the Great Depression. It features a woman, named Florence Thompson, and four of her children who were living in poverty at a pea-pickers' camp, and was taken to embody the time and people of the Great Depression. San Francisco News published the image only to Lange’s great success, but it seems that Florence Thompson's family, specifically her children, should also be paid for the photograph "Migrant Mother." Surely, there is much evidence proving this claim. For example, one of the most important reasons why the children of Florence Thompson should be paid for the iconic photo is that they were actually featured in it, yet were not ever paid. This can be seen when the article "Snapping an Iconic Photo," by Don Nardo, states, "Almost immediately, a possible subject for her camera lens caught her eye. A woman and four children sat beneath a crude tent with one side open to the elements . . . Lange took six photographs" (Nardo), and when the article, "The Story of the ‘Migrant Mother,’" by Ben Phelan, says, "With her children cowering behind her for protection, hiding their faces, the Migrant Mother gazes distractedly into the distance" (Phelan). These quotes illustrate that the children of the Thompson clan were indeed featured in the photograph, seen to be hiding behind the mother in their tent. If that is the case, then the Thompson children should automatically be compensated for the "Migrant Mother" photo that was published, because they, by technicality, were models in it too, meaning that they should be rewarded for being featured in the piece of media, like with any piece of media. Even if they did not necessarily want to show themselves. In addition, another reason why Florence Thompson's children should be paid for the photograph "Migrant Mother" is that the photo holds so much importance in American History, capturing the essence of the Great Depression in America. For example, in the article "Snapping an Iconic Photo," the author writes, "But they also stood for something bigger. They captured the predicament that hundreds of thousands of migrant workers found themselves in" (Nardo), and, in "The Story of the ‘Migrant Mother,’" it is written, "One of them, Migrant Mother, became the iconic photo of the Depression, and one of the most familiar images in the 20th Century . . . Her . . . expression seems to communicate what we . . . already know: Things were not going to get better for a long, long time" (Phelan). These quotes indicate that this photograph was extremely relevant as a prominent symbolization of the entirety of the time of America's Great Depression, and its unfortunate people. Therefore, if it symbolized something so great, and gave American society such a personal look into the situation, educating them, then, the Thompson children should be compensated for the "Migrant Mother" photograph San Francisco News owns because of their obvious contribution to this riveting American lesson. They should be paid not just because they were in a photo, but because they were in such a (culturally) significant photo, one that should thus incite recognition and reward for them. Finally, a third reason for why the Thompson children should be compensated for the photograph "Migrant Mother" is that Florence Thompson, the main person featured in the photograph, worked extremely hard all her life, but barely received much money for her toil. This is displayed when, in "Snapping an Iconic Photo," it is stated, "Many jobless moved from place to place seeking temporary work picking fruit and vegetables . . . to make a few dollars . . . 'She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the children killed'" (Nardo), and, when "The Story of the ‘Migrant Mother’" observes, "During cotton harvests . . . she earned 50 cents per hundred pounds picked and says she 'generally picked around 450, 500 [pounds a day]. I didn't even weigh a hundred pounds'" (Phelan). These quotes demonstrate that Florence Thompson traveled and found work meticulously picking peas or more than her own weight in cotton, with those jobs' wages nevertheless being very low. So, if Florence Thompson worked so hard while gaining such little profit for what she did, then the Thompson children should be paid for the photograph of her, their own kin, to represent the money that she rightfully deserved, but did not receive. This would and should rectify the scarceness of the fruit of her passionate labor. In conclusion, Florence Thompson's children should be compensated for the photo, "Migrant Mother." This is because they were actually models in the photograph, and therefore should have been paid and rewarded as any other would be, this photograph represents something so great and enlightening pertaining to American history, so it should have benefited these people who took part in it, and, Thompson herself worked and toiled greatly in her life all for little pay, so payment for her children would at least make up for her own efforts. It is shown clearly that Florence Thompson's children should be paid their dues, and hopefully, San Francisco News will take the appropriate steps to do so. Snapping an Iconic Photo, excerpt from Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression, by Don Nardo
Caring Adults
21
Illustrations by Olivia Pinney
23
Opportunities to Serve
*Before* Stay tuned for the after pictures!
22
UWGPC and the Family Center; 2022 Day of Caring - September 16th
Day of Caring Projects from Past Years
What is the Day of Caring?
The Day of Caring is an Annual United Way event. Each year we rally community members to work together for a good cause. United Way and our partner agencies put together projects and volunteers get the chance to give back in the community for a day of fun and voluntarism.
Day of Caring
This year 's project at the Family Center is preparing to implement a community garden again! Previously, we up-kept a community garden which allowed all people access to fresh fruits and vegetables so long as they grew! While this initiative was placed on the back burner, it is our hope to get it going again to be a consistent resource to the community. We are going to start by cleaning up this area with a volunteer team on the Day of Caring. We will plant some perennial plants that can be enjoyed as a relaxation area by both community members and Family Center staff . We hope to add to the garden this coming spring! Are you a gardener looking to give back? Give us a shout to get involved in regular maintenance.
Welcoming Our New Staff United Way of Greater Plymouth County and The Family Center
Welcome to our new School Liaison, Leighann Healy! Leighann started with us during August of 2022 and will be working with Family Center staff and public schools throughout Plymouth County to bridge the gap between education and parenting. Leighann chose this position because she wanted to make a more noticeable impact on her community and its members. Leighann really enjoys the ever-changing needs of her position. She also loves that she interacts directly with the community and the individuals the Family Center Serves. Leighann believes the Family Center is different from other service agencies because the Family Center and its employees are committed to providing quality support and assistance to the community and truly care about the well-being of the people served. Leighann grew up in Abington. She has experience working with adults and children with disabilities as a paraprofessional in schools as well as day programs. Leighann has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and is currently studying towards her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Bridgewater State University. If Leighann could do something to make a big, positive change in the world, it would be to combat and conquer food insecurity in the United States. Leighann feels as if she truly made a difference while working as a paraprofessional in Holbrooke Middle School. On one occasion, she created student superlatives that she distributed on the last day of school. By giving each student recognition, she was able to impact the way they viewed their own work and achievements. She was also able to positively recognize their personality traits that made them unique. “Middle School can be a challenging time for adolescents to discover and appreciate their individuality.” In her free time, Leighann enjoys being creative. Her main outlet is music. She loves to sing and spends most of her time on the weekends listening to live music at concerts and festivals. She is thrilled to journey on this new adventure!
25
24
Welcome to our new Community Resource Specialist, Marie Maudeline Auguste. Maudeline started with us in July of 2022. Maudeline works with Claudia and Jacelina to provide a multitude of resources to the community as well as working with individual families to connect them to agencies and organizations that can help no matter the situation. Maudeline speaks English, Haitian Creole, and French, helping us to serve the very diverse population of Plymouth County! Maudeline chose the Family Center because she loves helping people and believes seeing the face of someone you help and the impact of how you have helped them is priceless. She finds this particular opportunity to be able to help families with the Family Center to be awesome! Maudeline thinks of the Family Center as a team that is very much like a big family, we respect each other and work together. Maudeline has a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. Currently she is completing the Clemente Course in the humanities program. Maudeline has experience working in Human Services thanks to Isabel Lopez from Brockton Worker’s Alliance who introduced her to working in the community in 2021, then later completing some work with Brockton based organization Pinnacle Partnerships. Maudeline enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her three children, two sons and one daughter. If she could do one thing to make a big, positive change in the world it would be to end poverty. Maudeline feels as though she is working hard to make a difference every day in somebody’s life. She believes everyone should always be kind!
Stay tuned to hear more about the Family Center! Do you have questions about services, referrals, resources, or opportunities? Call the Family Center at 508-857-0272 Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm or Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Faith
They say Cardinals appear when loved ones are near. I would like to believe that. I believe loved ones find ways to send messages to us from beyond. Through little notes, finding the right thing at the right time, even rainbows after a storm. Sometimes things are tough, and you need something to perk you up. You might be one step away from a breakdown, giving up, or losing your effort. These are the times when you find something you’ve been looking for, or you find a little piece of memorabilia that you had forgotten you even had. A note with their order for dinner on it. A card you saved. A picture you forgot you had taken. Sometimes they show themselves in other ways. The torrential rain letting up for just long enough for you to get home safely, or to walk into the store. When it’s cardinals, you tend to see them at the most unexpected times. Sometimes you see a group of cardinals in the exact same number of the loved ones who might be looking out for you, which can be a beautiful reminder of who is on your side. All these beautiful reminders throughout the day or week, letting you find time to heal and reflect. So next time you see a cardinal, or receive one of these little reminders, remember to smile. Enjoy the moment, take a deep breath. Focus on what is going well, the positive things in your life. Live for the moment. Know that your loved ones can hear you. They know you are thinking of them and they are always watching over you. When a cardinal appears, remember a loved one is near.
Jewelry, bows, wristlets, wallets, keychains, decals, resin, paintings, and more. Link HERE
Wooden signs, diaper cakes/towers, paintings, pinatas, and more! Link HERE
"At the Rose Conservatory, we believe in the power of music and learning to transform the lives of our students and their families. We provide access to an exceptional arts education and performance for the Brockton community that fosters creativity, artistic growth, and all around well-being for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Music is our priority and this is remarkable because 70% of the district's enrolled students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, a federal measure of poverty. At Rose, we try to never restrict anything if a student has a financial need in order to build trust amongst our most vulnerable populations. We believe that culture and habit will motivate and nurture our students to become dedicated scholars, compassionate leaders, and skilled musicians. Join our family and help the next generation of young musicians, right here, in OUR COMMUNITY."
26
Wood-burning, keychains, shirts, coasters, cups, mugs, tote-bags, and more. Link HERE
Local Small Business Directory
27
Wooden and slate coasters, resin items, paintings, and more! Link HERE
Cardinals
Would you like to be featured here? Ask us how!
DONATE
Rose Conservatory Needs Your Help!
Donation Levels Bronze $10 to $50 per month Silver $50 to $250 per month Gold $250 to $500 per month Platinum $500 to $1000 per month Diamond $10,000 per year
28
29
Take a peek at our Virtual Resource Guide!
Updated quarterly along with the South Shore Community Magazine, our Virtual Resource Guide is packed full of community resources for individuals and organizations alike. Do you have a resource you would like to share with the community? Simply email Kasey.martin@ccbrockton.org to submit a resource!
Scan the code below to access our Virtual Resource Guide!
33
32
Resource Types -AA Recovery -NA Recovery -COVID-19 -Parenting -School -Trauma -Eviction -SNAP/HIP -Domestic Violence and more!
34
