ATHOL — Working quietly behind the scenes are citizens on a crusade to help make lives better.
The North Quabbin Community Coalition’s annual meeting last Friday celebrated some of these “superheroes” who go above and beyond. The mission of the NQCC, now in its 35th year, is a “community-wide alliance committed to improving the quality of life for all those living and working in the nine town region.” The towns include Athol, Orange, Royalston, Erving, New Salem, Wendell, Warwick, Phillipston and Petersham.
Inside the Ellinwood Country Club, Batman props matched the superhero theme: a replica of the mask worn by the Dark Night, a bat signal projected on a wall above a silhouetted cityscape, and NQCC staff donned black capes with an image of a bat and the organization’s logo.
NQCC Executive Director Heather Bialecki-Canning opened the meeting with, “We’re all friends here today. There are no archenemies.” A professed Batman fan, she said, “every single person has been a part. You truly are Superheroes.”
Sandi Walters of Clinical and Support Options and president of the Coalition’s board of directors, called Bialecki-Canning who oversees the many programs supported by the NQCC “our own special superhero of North Quabbin.” Bialecki-Canning said, “I am truly lucky to have the folks we do. They really steer the work.” She said the office has doubled in size with a very dedicated staff and looks forward to going to work every day.
Bialecki-Canning thanked Sherry Guyer Woods, a volunteer at the North Quabbin Recovery Center “for making sure our doors are open.” The center has served 100 “unique individuals” since its opening in April 2018.
Remarks were made by the president of the NQRC advisory board, Jamie Woods, and vice president John Richardson. Woods thanked the Coalition and its Board of Directors. “Your work impacts us in more ways than you can imagine.” Richardson said, “this is a community that cares.”
Representative Susannah Whipps spoke of an informational session that was held last week at the Athol Public Library with members of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. She said the committee was greatly impressed by the community support, adding, “we’re light years ahead.” Whipps began her remarks with a story about a relative who was friends with the actor Neil Hamilton who lived in Athol for a time before he became Commissioner Gordon in the Batman television series.
Eladia Romero, aide to Congressman James McGovern, who holds office hours at NQCC, said, “So many have benefited from your work.” She invited the group to attend an Economic Development Resource Meeting for North Quabbin on July 19 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Quabbin Retreat in Petersham with representatives from various federal and state agencies to discuss grant opportunities and services available to local municipalities and non-profits.
Lynne Feldman of LifePath and NQCC Board member, announced the Strength through Adversity Scholarship, awarded to three students in memory of Shirley Hebert, who was “the epitome of strength” through her battle with cancer and served as a role model throughout her life. Feldman said the scholarship is given “to recognize her strength and to support others who have faced adversity and succeeded.” This year’s recipients were Lauren Henne of Orange, Peter Currie of Royalston, and Edward Bennington of Athol, all 2019 graduates of Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School.
NQCC Board member Jeanette Robichaud presented the Dr. Rebecca J. Bialecki Youth Leadership Award to Camden Mosher and Elise Taylor.
Three 2019 Bridgebuilder Awards were presented by Rebecca Bialecki, first to the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Franklin County and the North Quabbin, Inc. The second recipient, Carol Root, who works for the Department of Children and Families, “took on the logistics” during the North Quabbin Patch office move to Lumber Street.
Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren presented two separate awards to Brenda Anderson and Chief James Sullivan of the Orange Police Department. Lundgren, who was with the OPD for 38 years, credited Anderson for supporting her co-workers and the community for her entire career. He said Chief Sullivan, who was not present, has always been dedicated to the community and that he couldn’t think of a better person for the position.
Board member Charlie Winters presented the Salute To Service Award to Petersham Police Chief Dana Cooley. Upon accepting the award, Chief Cooley said “the Coalition is the hub of the resources in the North Quabbin Region. I’m here because of people like you. It’s teamwork. It takes a team. It takes a family.”
Sharon Tracy, executive director of Quabbin Mediation, presented the Barbara Corey award to James Meehan “for his contribution to the health and well being of the North Quabbin region.” The award honors Corey’s values and dedication to the region. Meehan is chairman of the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, which helped stage North Quabbin Commons. He was involved with the merging of Athol Memorial Hospital and Heywood Hospital, has served as past president and international chair for the Athol-Orange Rotary Club, heads the Veterans Quabbin Mediation Program, and more. “We love having Jim around the office,” Tracy said. “When we need something, he says ‘yes’ and actually comes up with it.”
Bialecki-Canning said that despite barriers and challenges, “we continue to be a pioneer across the state.” She commented on the resilience of this region and that they will continue to work with any institutions within it. She said although their work is not readily seen, they’re making an impact every day.
Coalition board treasurer Steve Raymond was credited for often cooking for events where a meal is provided, and “dedicated volunteer” Jerry Whaland donated a season’s pass to his new Billy Goat Boats rental facility at the Orange Community Boathouse to the winner of a Batman trivia contest held before the awards ceremony.
The mission and essence of the Coalition is summed up in the meeting’s program: “One does not need superpowers to truly be a Superhero. The North Quabbin Community Coalition has often worked behind the scenes in the shadows to deliver the justice and advocacy this region needs. Our superpowers (much like those of The Dark Knight) include resourcefulness, community collaboration, direct communication, sharp intellect, and reliance on the region’s genuine spirit of comradery.”
The NQCC has been at its 251 Exchange St. location for almost five years. Bialecki-Canning reported that they’re close to owning it, and on July 1st they will become a stand-alone 501(c)(3) where they will no longer have a fiscal agent attached.
Other programs under the Coalition, an affiliate of Heywood Healthcare, include the North Quabbin Transition from Jail to Community Task Force, the recently expanded Parent Advisory Council and the creation of the Youth Action Council. The NQCC also prepares and delivers Thanksgiving Day meals to the elderly and homebound. Last year over 260 meals were delivered in the region. The NQCC partners with Clinical and Support Options for the Children’s Health and Wellness System of Care.
The Prevention, Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Task Force (P.A.R.T., formerly the Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force), is the largest of the task forces under NQCC devoted to spreading messages of delay of first use, recovery is possible and that this is a community that cares.
The North Quabbin Loan Fund works with the Town of Athol providing gap financing for businesses across the nine-town region. The NQCC also hosts monthly forums that focus on topics of local interest or programs servicing the region.
For more information, contact 978-249-3703, email info@nqcc.org, or visit nqcc.org or the Coalition’s Facebook page.