By KENNEDY GRIFFIN

(Franklin County, MA) The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has announced they are awarding $114,000 in grants for community groups through its Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program.

This program redistributes funds that have been seized in drug-related cases and puts them to use in community organizations that work on drug rehabilitation, education, and other anti-drug programs.

“There are so many ways to build resilience in our communities even during trying times,” said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. “The breadth of projects funded with these grants helps shore up strengths-based programs that foster healthy and thriving communities.”

The North Quabbin Recovery Center in Athol and the Recovery Center of Hope in Ware both recieved $20,000.

“We wanted to give an extra boost to the newer peer recovery centers in the region, which are not yet fully funded by the state as are the Recover Project in Greenfield and the Northampton Recovery Center. We know from experience that peer-focused recovery centers provide essential support to help people in recovery continue on that journey,” said Sullivan. “Recovery Centers are part of creating recovery-supportive communities that leave no one behind.”

Other awards include:

  • Receiving $4,000 each were: South Hadley Prevention Coalition; Northampton Prevention Coalition; Easthampton Healthy Youth Coalition; Greenfield 4SC; Belchertown Boat; and Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Program. The grants will support a variety of projects, including pre-prom education supporting healthy decision making, vaping prevention activities and a youth performance troupe that focuses on recovery support.
  • The following groups received $7,500 each: Big Brother/ Big Sisters of both Hampshire and Franklin counties; the Athol YMCA and Community Action Youth Programs, in support of efforts to strengthen connections, mentor relationships, leadership development and healthy choices among youth in the region.
  • Receiving $5,000 each were: Soldier On, to support services of the Veterans Treatment Court for veterans with substance use disorders; and the Trauma Informed Hampshire County. Its trauma network educates about the need to respond to Adverse Childhood Experiences by building resilience and how communities can respond.

  • The NRC and the Recover Project also received grants of $5,000 each. The NRC, in its earliest years, was supported by the District Attorney’s Office through staff time and funding until it became part of the network of state-funded recovery centers.