Fresh Garlick – Thursday, October 14, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In honor of survivors of domestic violence, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Together, we can share resources in our communities and make a commitment to educate and empower those around us to end domestic violence.

Everyone deserves to feel safe from violence in their home and in their relationships. There are resources across the Commonwealth for those looking for help.

To find resources near you, visit Jane Doe Inc’s directory by clicking here.

Yours in Service,

Denise

• In Needham, the Town is launching the Housing Plan Working Group to strategically address identified priority housing needs. The working group will meet for the first time on Friday, October 22 at 9:00 AM. To receive updates regarding the working group, click here.
• BID-Needham and its member hospitals are conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to better understand the health-related issues impacting the people living and working in the communities they serve. Complete the survey online by clicking here.

• In Dover, the Special Recycling Weekend is taking place on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday October 17 at the Transfer Station. Saturday morning will include Shredding, bicycle collection, and furniture donations. Automobile tires will be accepted on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, click here.

• In Medfield, the Medfield Food Cupboard is holding its October Food Drive at the Medfield Public Safety building. For the month, a Department of Public Works trailer will be parked in front of the Public Safety to receive unopened, unexpired, shelf-stable food. For more information, click here.

• On Tuesday, the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released their proposals for new legislative House and Senate districts based on the 2020 US Census data. Under the proposed map, the district I represent would not change. This proposal also adds fifteen majority-minority districts in the House and Senate.The Committee is accepting public comment on these proposed districts until 5:00 PM on October 18, 2021. Click here for the proposed new districts and additional information about the redistricting process. Click here to submit comments.

• The Massachusetts Cultural Council is extending its deadline to apply for a FY22 Local Cultural Council grant to November 1, 2021. Local Cultural Council grants awarded by each communities own Local Cultural Council and funds can be used for arts and culture projects in their communities. To learn more and apply, click here.

• COVID-19 booster vaccines are available for individuals 65 years of age and older and individuals 18-64 years of age at risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, and individuals 18-64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of occupational or institutional settings who have previously received the Pfizer vaccine. If you are eligible, you may find a location through VaxFinder or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line at 2-1-1. For more information on the COVID-19 booster, click here.

• This week 200 members of the Massachusetts National Guard were activated to support COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools in the Commonwealth. Currently, over 2,200 schools are signed up to participate in one of three types of testing. Members of the national guard will be trained to administer COVID-19 testing in schools starting Monday, October 18. Additonally, 250 members of the National Guard have been activated to offset potential staffing shortages at the Department of Corrections. For more information, click here.