Smoc In The News

SMOC Highlights

Joan Brack Adult Learning Center Celebration of Learning 2019

On June 21^st, 33 students were honored for achieving various milestones at the Joan Brack Adult Learning Center at SMOC, including 9 students that completed the HiSET (formerly GED) program and 9 who completed the year-long English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

The Joan Brack Adult Learning Center provides a nurturing learning environment for adult students in our region to continue their educational journey. Here, students find a place where teachers customize their lessons to meet their needs and to help them achieve academic success. Jeffrey McCue, Commissioner of the MA Department of Transitional Assistance, President of Massachusetts Bay Community College, Dr. David Podell, State Representative Jack Lewis, and members of the Framingham City Council were present as guest speakers during the graduation ceremony.

Annual Planting of the Moses Mohammed Memorial Sunflower Garden in June.

On June 12, 2019, staff, board members and friends came together to plant the seeds, remembered Moses and enjoyed the fellowship of the SMOC community. The event was opportunely ended with an ice cream social event for all participants. Watch for the sunflowers to bloom along Bishop Street in Framingham within the next few weeks.

Congratulations to Jerry Desilets!

Jerry Desilets was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s MetroWest Community Advocacy Breakfast. Diane Gould, President of Advocates; Eric Masi, President and CEO of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network; and Jim Cuddy, Executive Director of SMOC presented him with the award. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual that has passionately dedicated his/her life to public service.

Jerry has been the Director of Planning, Policy, and Community Relations at SMOC for the last 19 years and has been a vocal advocate for the most vulnerable people in our communities. His advocacy has been instrumental in passing legislation; in developing and maintaining strong and stable partnerships with local service providers, legislators, and community leaders; and in bringing communities together on challenging subject matters that need attention but are not always popular. His innate ability to lead and facilitate conversations and to make positive change in the community has made him a deeply admired leader at SMOC and in the community at large. Congratulations Jerry for this well-deserved award!

New Home for Serenity House

On November 14^th, we celebrated the opening of Serenity House’s new location in downtown Framingham. Serenity House, a flagship program of SMOC, is a residential program for women in recovery, funded by the MA Dept. of Public Health. The event was held at 228 Concord St. with guests including Senate President Karen Spilka, Framingham City Council, Dennis Giombetti, Representative Jack Patrick Lewis, and Deputy Director of Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Jim Cremer.

SMOC renovated the newly purchased 28,000 square foot former nursing home built in 1960. The significantly improved facility is now licensed to house up to 36 women, an increased capacity compared to the previous Serenity House in Hopkinton. There are 5 single occupancy bedrooms dedicated to accommodate pregnant or post-partum mothers on the first floor and 15 double bedrooms on the first floor for the other program’s participants.

A New Playground for Pearl Street Family Shelter

We celebrated the newly installed Playground at our Pearl Street Family Shelter on October 22, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This “Bright Spaces” project was made possible by Jane Gibbon from Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, Ben and Heather Bergeron from CrossFit New England, and Amie Turrill Owens Kettlebells4Kids, who raised all the funds for the project and organized volunteers to complete all of the labor required to make the beautiful new playground. They, along with staff and families staying at the shelter were present for the event. SMOC is profoundly grateful for the time and dedication these organizations have put in to making new enriching play spaces for Pearl Street Family Shelter as well as several of our other family programs. The children at Pearl Street will now have a fun, safe, and inviting space to play.

Women’s Wellness Fair 2018

On October 15, 2018, we held the 3rd Annual Women’s Wellness Fair in the SMOC Café. With a theme of “Ladies, Your Wings are Ready”, the Women’s Wellness Fair strives to empower women with fundamental tools to excel in career and essential life skills.

Partner organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, WIC, A Place to Turn, Dignity Matters, Program RISE, and TEMPO were present to offer assistances and information, Dignity Matters graciously provided free bras to the women attending the event.

Women’s Wellness Fair seeded from an idea that sprouted three years ago, it has grown and become one of the most important events in SMOC Calendar. We are looking forward to having another one in 2019.

2018 Summer Jobs for Youth Program Graduation Ceremony

On August 17, 2018, we celebrated the graduation of participants in this year’s Summer Jobs for Youth Program. The program has been held successfully for more than 10 years to welcome bright and young talents and introduce them to social services field. This year, participants worked in the agency’s Housing Consumer Education Center, Housing Operations, Workforce Development and Finance departments to help with managing resources and clerical works, including research, filing and preparing important presentation packets.

The Summer Jobs for Youth Program provides a holistic introductory experience for high school-aged youth to the nonprofit world. With many departments that target specific issues in the community, participants have the liberty to choose and apply their skills to further amplify SMOC’s mission. Summer Jobs for Youth is held annually during the summer months from June-August. Pictured, Ryan (one of the 5 program graduates) receiving his Certificate of Completion with the SMOC Housing team.

SMOC Receives Preservation Achievement Award

We are proud to be one of the recipients of the 2018 Preservation Achievement Awards, presented by Framingham Historical Commission on May 31 at the Framingham Historical Society. SMOC purchased and rehabilitated one of the buildings of Dennison Manufacturing Company, undertaking significant rejuvenations to the interior and creating office space to serve as SMOC’s headquarters. Pictured are (from left to right) Frederic Wallace, Chair of the Framingham Historical Commission, Bruce Hulme, SMOC Board Chair, Dennis Giombetti, Framingham City Council and Representative Jack Patrick Lewis.

Hollis Street Groundbreaking Event

On April 6^th, SMOC celebrated the launch of more than $400,000 in renovations to 73-75 Hollis Street, a SMOC owned and operated building. The Groundbreaking event was held at the 73-75 Hollis Street Police Substation and guests included Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer; Nathalie Jean, Framingham Community Development Coordinator; and Framingham Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson, along with board members, staff and other community partners. The improvements are subsidized by HOME funds, a city resource for community development that are allocated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Renovations will include interior, exterior, mechanical, and electrical repairs to the building, located in Downtown Framingham.

Building a Culture of Care

SMOC’s history has been published by local author and Board member Hugo “Holly” Hollerorth. The book is called “Building a Culture of Care: The Ongoing Saga of the South Middlesex Opportunity Council.” It is an in-depth look at the origins, history and evolution of the organization through the years. Pictured here are the author (center) with staff members Susan Gentili (left) and Darlene Assencoa (right).