Project Description

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Volunteering and Community Service

By engaging with their communities, participants connect with people such as children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, people dealing with substance use disorder, and veterans. Realizing common ground among differences as well as the dire needs of the community will help grow and educate participants in a positive way.

Volunteering teaches the importance of giving back and can instill a passion and a responsibility in participants as they work alongside people in need. The volunteer experiences incorporated into the Fresh Start program give participants the chance to improve their attitude toward personal and social responsibility.

Community Outreach 

Fresh Start Community Outreach reaches out to citizens in need. Our goal is to develop strong and engaged relationships with members of the local community as well as with governmental, advocacy, and service organizations. After graduation participants become community outreach advocates and continue to take a leadership role by spearheading improvements in their communities. These local mentors serve as advocates for change on the individual level; if they can, so can you. Read more about how we have helped on our New/Events Page, continue the conversation on our Facebook Page,  and learn how to get involved by sending us a message

0%
of youth in the juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition
0%
live with a serious mental illness
Citation
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Fresh Start Community & Law Enforcement Relations

Fresh Start’s goal is to build trust and improve relationships with law enforcement based on mutual respect. If we can achieve this goal in can foster an understanding of expectations on all sides for the police officer, participants and the community. Through specialized training, community outreach programs, and by recognizing the importance of internal affairs and interdepartmental accountability, Law enforcement will begin to continue or regain trust, respect within the communities and with the participants. 

Hear Deputy Chief of the Worcester Police Department, Ed McGinn’s story

OUR OTHER PROGRAMS

“When we self-regulate well, we are better able to control the trajectory of our emotional lives and resulting actions based on our values and sense of purpose.”

Amy Leigh Mercree