Ilana Gerjuoy – Communities That Care Coalition

Local Volunteer Opportunities for Youth

April 23, 2025

Athol Area YMCA – A variety of one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities.

Franklin County’s Y – A variety of one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities, including the Youth Leaders’ Club.

Greenfield Recreation Department – The Rec Department welcomes volunteers for one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities for coaching, trail maintenance, park cleanup, gardening, playground builds, and more!

Greenfield Public Library – Opportunities for youth to get involved with teen programming and leadership through the library. Open to youth across the region, not just in Greenfield! To learn more, call (413-772-1544 x5120) or email (francesca.passiglia @greenfield-ma.gov) Francesca, the Teen Librarian, .

North Quabbin Community Coalition is a great resource in the North Quabbin area, and they often know what’s coming up in the region and where volunteers might be needed for events and activities. They also have a Facebook page with updates and events.

Stone Soup Café – Stone Soup in Greenfield welcomes young people – both children and teenagers – to help with food prep and more!

Old Issues of Connections

April 10, 2025

Connections #62 (December 15, 2022) News & Updates; School Vacation Week Activities and Volunteer Opportunities; Food and Clothing Resources for December and Beyond; Wellness Corner; Continuing Connections: The HomeShare Program; Have You Seen This? Learn more about Kwanzaa; Help & Information

Connections #61 (November 17, 2022) News & Updates; Thanksgiving Week Events, Food Resources, and Volunteer Opportunities; New Drop-In Space for Youth in Greenfield!; Highlights from Communities That Care Coalition’s 20th Anniversary Celebration; Continuing Connections: The Great American Smoke Out and Quitting Resources; Wellness Corner: RSV Info and Seasonal Resources; Have You Seen This? Indigenous Voices Film Series and Resource Guide; Help & Information

Connections #60 (October 13, 2022) News & Updates; Rescheduled to Oct. 25th -Communities That Care Coalition Meeting & 20th Anniversary Celebration; Concerned about Homelessness? Two Ways to Take Action This Month; Highlights from the 2022 Franklin County Parenting Guide; Resources for Heating Your Home This Winter; Wellness Corner: COVID and Flu Vaccines; Continuing Connections: Drug Take Back Day, Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month & Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Have You Seen This? Family Time PSAs; Help & Information

Connections #59 (September 15, 2022) News & Updates; Communities That Care Coalition Meeting & 20th Anniversary Celebration; Ways to Give Back and Get Involved in Your Community; School Success Tips: Addressing Common Challenges; Getting to Know Local AmeriCorps Members; COVID-19 Updates; Continuing Connections: Emergency Preparedness Tips; Have You Seen This? Building Resilient Communities Gathering: Finding Joy in Difficult Times; Help & Information

Connections #58 (August 18, 2022) News & Updates: Extended Summer Version; Ways to Give Back and Get Involved in Your Community; Getting Ready for Back-to-School; Back to School COVID-19 Updates; End-of-Summer Food; Have You Seen This? Shout Out’s Youth Mental Health Video Project; Help & Information

Connections #57 (July 21, 2022) News & Updates: Extended Summer Version; Stretch Your Summer Food Budget; Summer Tick Safety; Continuing Connections: Brick House Teen Center News & Swimming and Parking at State Parks; COVID Updates; Have You Seen This? Share Your Favorite Places in our Region; Help & Information

Connections #56 (June 16, 2022) News & Updates: Extended Summer Version; Free Food Options for Kids and Families, Summer 2022; Continuing Connections: More Summer Activities for Older Kids, Youth & Young Adults; Have You Seen This? Juneteenth events in Greenfield and across the region; COVID Updates and Help & Information

Coalition Connections #55 (May 26, 2022) News & Updates: Extended Version!; Communities That Care Coalition Meeting and Workshop June 9; Summer Options for Older Kids, Youth, and Young Adults; Continuing Connections: Webinars on Youth and Anxiety; Have You Seen This? Stone Soup 10th Birthday Celebration June 12; COVID Updates and Help & Information

Coalition Connections #54 (May 12, 2022) News & Updates; “Community Supports for Young People” Workgroup Meeting May 16; Local Youth Sports: Great Family Entertainment; North Quabbin Events; Continuing Connections: Social Media and Youth Mental Health; Webinars from Embrace Race; Have You Seen This? Mosaic Film Screening in Turners Falls; COVID Updates and Help & Information

Coalition Connections #53 (April 28, 2022) News & Updates; Youth Engaging Legislators & Officials (YELO) Forum May 10; It’s Spring: Farmers Markets, Farm Shares, and more!; Drug Take Back Day April 30; Continuing Connections: Webinar on teen depression; Book recommendations from Tiffany Jewell; Have You Seen This? Free Screenings of “Screenagers: Next Chapter”; COVID Updates and Help & Information

Coalition Connections #52 (April 14, 2022) News & Updates; Healthy Kids Day is April 30!; New Bike or New Cyclist? Tips for Fun and Safety; Things to Do During April Vacation; Continuing Connections: Youth Mental Health; Have You Seen This? Video about the North Quabbin Recovery Center; COVID Updates and Help & Information

Coalition Connections #51 (March 24, 2022) News & Updates; Community Event in Greenfield April 7 with Anti-Racist Author Tiffany Jewell; COVID Updates; Flavored Vape Loophole Closed!; Cyber-Seniors Comes to Our Region!; Continuing Connections: Youth Mental Health; Have You Seen This? Communities That Care “Cooks Up” a Coalition

Coalition Connections #50 (March 10, 2022) News & Updates; COVID Updates; Tips to Increase News Literacy and Reduce News Overload; Youth Mental Health: Revisiting Resources; Have You Seen This? Video of First Generation Youth Theater Performance

Coalition Connections #49 (February 17, 2022) News & Updates; COVID Updates: End of Statewide School Mask Mandate and more; Black History for February and All Year Long; Ideas for February Vacation 2022; Continuing Connections: West County Clothes Closet and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month; Have You Seen This? Community Action Family Center’s Newsletter

Coalition Connections #48 (January 27, 2022) News & Updates; Upcoming CTC & 4SC Coalition Meetings in February; COVID Updates: Local Vaccine Clinics & Free Rapid Tests; Where to Find Winter Outerwear; Restorative Practices in Schools; Have You Seen This? Winter Carnival Events & Volunteer Opportunities

Coalition Connections #47 (January 13, 2022) News & Updates; Community Action is hiring a Family Engagement Coordinator; Q & A: What to do if you test positive for COVID; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 17, 2022; Helping Youth Develop Healthy Stress-Reduction Skills; Have You Seen This? Vaccine Clinic Jan. 20 in Turners Falls

Coalition Connections #46 (December 16, 2021) News & Updates; Communities That Care Coalition News: Hiring and article!; COVID-19 Updates: Boosters for ages 16-17, free rapid tests coming soon, and more; Winter Break Part 2: Ideas for Fun & Free Food Resources; Managing Mental Health and Substance Use During the Holidays; Have You Seen This? Empowering Educators series for courageous conversations about race and social justice

Coalition Connections #45 (December 2, 2021) News & Updates; Community Conversation: Children’s educational rights, IEPs, and more; COVID-19 Updates: Boosters for all adults, vax bus, vaccine recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding; What is “Test and Stay” at Local Schools?; Planning Ahead for Winter Break: Tips to Ease Stress; Have You Seen This? Free Event with the Author of Hey Kiddo!

Coalition Connections #44 (November 18, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Updates: Vax Bus Appointments & Boosters for All Adults; Child and Teen Mental Health: Resource Roundup for Parents and Caregivers; The PreVenture Program moves forward in local schools; Helping Kids Prepare for the COVID Vaccine and Other Shots; Have You Seen This? FRCOG’s Winter Holiday Flyer on COVID Protection

Coalition Connections #43 (November 4, 2021) News & Updates; COVID Updates: Local Info & Child Vaccine Appointments; Healthy, Easy Food Options for Late Fall and Winter; Have You Seen This? Stone Soup Café Day of Giving Thanks

Coalition Connections #42 (October 21, 2021) News & Updates; COVID Updates; Drug Take Back Day: Sat. October 23; What to Do About Colds, Flu, and Other Viruses During COVID; Continuing Connections: Partner Abuse Resources; Paper copies of Parent Guides; Have You Seen This? Community Action Family Center Fall Programs

Coalition Connections #41 (October 7, 2021) News & Updates; Community Action Youth & Workforce Development Programs: Get involved!; COVID Tips and Updates; 2021 Parenting Guide Offers Validation, Tools, and Resources; Stone Soup Spanish Hour: ¡Ven a decir “Hola”!

Coalition Connections #40 (September 23, 2021) News & Updates; Family Day 2021; COVID Updates; Emergency Preparedness is for Everyone; Have You Seen This? Hunger Action Walking Trail

Coalition Connections #39 (September 9, 2021) News & Updates; 2nd Regional Policy & Norms Workgroup Meeting; COVID Updates: Pooled Testing in Schools; What is the 2021 Child Tax Credit?; Have You Seen This? Talk to Kids about Microaggressions – An Embrace Race Online Conversation

Coalition Connections #38 (August 26, 2021) News & Updates; CHIP Network Meeting Sept 1; COVID Updates: latest news plus tips from a nurse; Masks are Required in Schools: Advice from Local Families; Wildfire smoke from the West is here. How to check air quality; Have You Seen This? Greenfield and Montague Soap Box Races!

Coalition Connections #37 (August 12, 2021) News & Updates; COVID Updates; Back to School: Things We Can Do to Make it Easier; New Collaboration on Early Childhood Substance Use Prevention; Have You Seen This? Stone Soup Cafe’s 17th Annual Harvest Supper

Coalition Connections #36 (July 29, 2021) News & Updates; Re-Enrollment Reminder from Local School Districts; COVID: Delta variant and kids under 12; It’s a Great Time to Ride the FRTA Bus!; Green River Swimming Area Re-opens & Using Insect Repellents Safely; Free events at Unity Park the next two weekends

Coalition Connections #35 (July 15, 2021) News & Updates; COVID Updates; 6 Tips for Avoiding Tick Bites; Ways to Cool Down When the River Isn’t Safe; Continuing Connections: Gill-Montague Regional School District’s Free Summer; Have You Seen This? Recently updated “Talk. They Hear You.” mobile app

Coalition Connections #34 (June 24, 2021) News & Updates; Free Summer Meals for Kids and Youth 18 and under; Pandemic Changes: What Do We Want to Keep?; Have You Seen This? “Youth Ending Stigma” Workshops in July

Coalition Connections #33 (June 10, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Updates; Nervous About Needles? Tips for Getting the COVID Vaccine; Pandemic Summer 2.0; Have You Seen This? North Quabbin Community Coalition Scavenger Hunt!

Coalition Connections #32 (May 24, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Updates; 2021 Student Survey Data: Available Now!; Highlights from the Spring Communities That Care Full Coalition Meeting; Have You Seen This? Black Lives/Black Lungs, a short film and discussion

Coalition Connections #31 (May 10, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Updates; Easing Pandemic Stress: What Do Teens Need Now?; Summer Activities: Teen Jobs and Internships; New Programs for Teens and Tweens from Greenfield Public Library

Coalition Connections #30 (April 26, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Info and Vaccine Updates; Summer Camp Info for Summer 2021; Resources for Building Healthy Relationships & Addressing Partner Abuse; Teen Sleep Schedule Reboot; FRTA 2nd/3rd Shift Taxi Service and Free Rides

Coalition Connections #29 (April 12, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Info and Vaccine Updates; Returning to School In-Person: Tips from Local Families; Have You Seen This? Free Webinar: Breaking Down Structural and Systemic Racism for Our Children.

Coalition Connections #28 (March 22, 2021) News & Updates; COVID-19 Info and Vaccine Updates; Easing Pandemic Stress: Let Nature Be Your Guide; Housing Help and More: The RAFT Program; Food Access Resources and Updates on Local Programs for Youth; Interactive HIP Locations Map

Coalition Connections #27 (March 8, 2021) – News & Updates – Lots!; COVID-19 Info and Vaccine Updates; Easing Pandemic Stress: Focus on Food (Part 2!) – Getting Inspired and Economizing; Building a Resilient Community Event, March 12

Coalition Connections #26 (February 22, 2021) – News & Updates; COVID-19 Info and Vaccine Updates; Easing Pandemic Stress – Focus on Food; Learning Black History All Year; NQCC’s Munch & Move; and more!

Coalition Connections #25 (February 8, 2021) – Lots of News & Updates; COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Updates; Black History Month Resource Guide; Feb Vacation Ideas; Youth Vaping and COVID Risks; and more!

Coalition Connections #24 (January 25, 2021) – Lots of News & Updates; Update on COVID Vaccine Rollout; Youth Voices – How COVID is Affecting Them (and What You Can Do!); Virtually Free Screening Report Back, and more!

Coalition Connections #23 (January 11, 2021) – Lots of News & Updates; “Stop the Spread” COVID Testing in Greenfield; Support for Grief, Loss, and Missed Milestones During COVID; COVID Vaccination Begins in Franklin County; Family Visits After Some Members are Vaccinated; Letter to CNN from DA’s Office: It’s Time to Stop Glorifying Binge Drinking plus Resources for Parents

Coalition Connections #22 (December 21, 2020) – Making the Most of School Vacation and Beyond; What Does it Mean to Quarantine?; School Meals and Other Food Resources Available Now; Continuing Connections: Job Training and Volunteer Opportunities; Teen Craftacular Book Box Kit and more!

Coalition Connections #21 (December 7, 2020) – Community Service and Other Activities for Youth, Winter Holidays: Fun, Connection, Food, and Mental Health, Updates HIP and free school meals (food resources), Handholdma.org, and more!

Coalition Connections #20 (November 16, 2020) – Food and Housing Resource Summaries and Links; Masks Tips and Options; More resources for Thanksgiving, teen stress, and better family meals; and Link to guide for parents/caregivers about Among Us video game

Coalition Connections #19 (November 2, 2020) – “I’m Not Racist…Am I?” Movie Screening Follow-Up; Learning About Microaggressions; 2020 Regional Teen Health Survey Takeaways; and Thanksgiving During COVID.

Coalition Connections #18 (October 19, 2020) Parenting During COVID:
Healthy Coping When Stress is High; Tapestry Health: Youth-friendly & NowOpen; Halloween tips and info to share; and Please Use Free School Meals

Coalition Connections #17 (October 5, 2020)

Coalition Connections #16 (September 21, 2020)

Coalition Connections #15 (September 8, 2020)

Coalition Connections #14 (August 17, 2020)

Coalition Connections #13 (August 3, 2020)

Coalition Connections #12 – (July 20, 2020)

Coalition Connections #11 – (July 6, 2020)

Early issues came out weekly.

Coalition Connections #10 – (June 22, 2020)

Coalition Connections #9 – (June 15, 2020)

Coalition Connections #8 – Planning for Summer Continued (June 8, 2020)

Coalition Connections #7 – Planning for Summer (June 1, 2020)

Coalition Connections #6 – Moving Forward, Cautiously (May 22, 2020)

Coalition Connections #5 – Navigating New Rules (May 15, 2020)

Coalition Connections #4 – Groceries (May 8, 2020)

Coalition Connections #3 – Masks & Face Coverings (May 1, 2020)

Coalition Connections #2 (April 23, 2020)

Coalition Connections #1 (April 17, 2020)

Got Unused Medications? How to Get Rid of Them and Why it’s Important! (2025)

April 10, 2025

The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday, April 26, 2025!

Here is some info about how to get rid of your unwanted medications and help youth to be more savvy about the risks of prescription medications and fake pills all year round.

What is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day?

On Take Back Day, community members are encouraged to bring their expired or unwanted medications and drop them off, no questions asked.

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10AM-2PM, multiple police departments will be open as drop off locations in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region.

Some departments have permanent drop boxes, and some are open just for Take Back Day.

Locally, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the Opioid Task Force, and other organizations – including youth health and youth substance use prevention coalitions like ours – promote and support local efforts. Over 74,000 pounds have been collected since 2011!

Here is a great post from 2024 by Those Nerdy Girls about National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day, the thing we all need to do before bringing meds to drop off locations. It reminds us about how to make sure we find all the meds in the house, and it also includes the “flush list,” the list of the medications that are OK to flush down the toilet.

Find year-round drop locations at local pharmacies, hospitals, and police departments here.

Need to dispose of needles/sharps?

Most drop off locations don’t accept needles/sharps. The Sharps Disposal Program of Franklin County has multiple drop-off locations. Learn more here.

Is there any way to safely dispose of unwanted medications in household trash?

Although it’s often better for the environment to use a drop box location, you can also do it safely at home. The FDA recommends these steps for disposing of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in pills, liquids, drops, patches, and creams:

Remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them with something undesirable, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter. This makes the medicine less appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable to anyone looking for drugs.
Put the mixture in something you can seal (a re-sealable zipper storage bag, empty can, or other container) to prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out.
Throw the container in the garbage.
Scratch out your personal information on empty medicine packaging before throwing it away to protect your identity and privacy.

Why is Take Back Day important?

Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

The majority of misused prescription drugs in this country are obtained from family and friends, often from a home medicine cabinet. Every year, unused or expired prescription medications lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, overdoses, and suicides. Medications can also pollute drinking water sources and soil when they are flushed down the toilet or put in the trash.

Talk with kids and teenagers about drugs and alcohol, including pills, cannabis, and nicotine.

Talk and connect with youth about drugs and alcohol:
The Talk. They Hear You. campaign is free and includes tips and app to practice talking with kids and teens about alcohol and drugs.
How to Connect with Your Teenager to Prevent Drug Use from The Partnership to End Addiction – concrete tips on staying involved and talking with youth.
Learn and talk with youth about the risks of fentanyl, which is being added to fake pills and other drugs:
Drop the F*Bomb is a campaign to help parents and caregivers talk with youth about the risks of fentanyl, including fake pills.

What else can we do to help year-round?

There are many ways to help prevent misuse, addiction, and overdose. Here are a few:

When you are prescribed pain medicine after a surgery or medical procedure and think you won’t use all of it, you can request a smaller amount of medication – either a lower dose or fewer pills. If you are not sure, you can talk with the medical provider prescribing about the options.

Lock up your medications and any other drugs, including cannabis. Lock boxes are available online and locally at Home Depot, the Turners Falls Aubuchon, and other locations. Locking up drugs can protect people and also pets.

Keep track of what you have, so you notice if anything is missing.

Clearly label medications and other drugs so they aren’t taken (or eaten) accidentally.

If you think a person of any age or a pet has consumed medication that is not theirs or may have consumed too much, call the poison control center at (800) 222-1222 or call 911.

Talk with kids and youth about drugs and alcohol, including prescription and over-the-counter medication, fake pills, cannabis, and nicotine. See the yellow box above with great resources for learning about the issues and protecting the young people you care about.

Sources: SAMHSA, NIDA, The Northwestern DA’s Office, the FDA, and listed resources.

2025 Policy & Advocacy Skills Summit for Youth!

May 15, 2025

2025 Policy & Advocacy Skills Summit for Youth – Join us for a daylong summit at Smith College on June 14!

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s Advisory on the Epidemic of Loneliness and the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (2023)

February 14, 2025

In 2023, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued this advisory on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States and the healing effects of social connection and community. This information is important for people of all ages. Content warning: this advisory discusses suicide.

You can view and download the advisory and a one-page summary below.

Full advisory:

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Social Connection Advisory Download

One-page summary:

One page summary loneliness and connection advisory Download

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s Advisory on Confronting Health Misinformation (2021)

February 14, 2025

In 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued this advisory on confronting health misinformation. As Dr. Murthy says at the beginning of the advisory, “Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts. Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort.”

Part of what we do as a Coalition is provide the most accurate, up to date information that we have, using plain language so that it’s as accessible as possible.

You can view or download the advisory below.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Misinformation Advisory 2021 Download

Vivek Murthy’s Surgeon General Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk – 2025

February 12, 2025

Just before leaving his position as Surgeon General in January, 2025, Vivek Murthy issued an advisory highlighting the risks. This advisory highlights that alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, and that at the same time, less than half of Americans are aware that drinking alcohol increases cancer risk.

You can download a copy of the report below.

Vivek Murthy Surgeon General Advisory Alcohol and Cancer 2025 Download

Cannabis Safe Storage – Help Protect Kids & Pets

February 12, 2024

This educational flyer for adults promotes safely storing cannabis products away from kids and pets. In the past few years, there’s been an increase in the number of kids and pets who have accidentally eaten cannabis products and required medical attention. It’s important that adults are aware of nonjudgmental information to prevent this from happening.

Youth Resource List for Franklin County & the North Quabbin

April 21, 2025

Also, check out our Opportunities for Youth page for info on volunteer opportunities and youth groups in the region.

SUPPORT AND INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE!

This is an online version of a small, folded resource card created by the Communities That Care Coalition to help youth and adults find help and resources on the go! You can also find great resources on important topics of interest on our Resources for Parents and Families page.

Do you have suggestions or corrections? Or would you like printed copies? Please email Naomi.

Not sure who to call? Try one of the General Information numbers or check out 413Cares.

All phone numbers are in the 413 area code unless otherwise noted.