- Massachusetts Probation Service
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Coria Holland, Communications Director
An Awards Ceremony was held on Friday at MTOC (Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center) in Clinton to recognize Cultural Proficiency Champions, also known as Champions, and participants of the 2025 Cultural Appreciation Week (CAW).
During the Friday ceremony, the Champions and volunteers were presented with certificates to recognize their work in organizing and executing celebrations across the state and received praise from Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill; Dr. Carmen Gomez, Deputy Commissioner of Pretrial Services and now manager of the event; Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger; and Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino.
This annual one-week Massachusetts Trial Court celebration of diversity and belonging held in October is the only one of its kind in any US state court system.
The event featured a presentation, "Equal Access to Justice: Why Neurodivergence Matters," by Erin Horton, Field Services Operations Coordinator, and Ellen Carter, newly-appointed Ayer District Court Chief Probation Officer.
Individuals who are "neurodivergent" are people who learn and process information differently such as those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Aphasia and Stuttering, and Tourette's Syndrome. Approximately 15-20 percent of the US population or one in five residents are "neurodivergent," according to the Neurodiversity Alliance.
The Champions voted unanimously to make the 2025 CAW logo the celebration’s official logo moving forward. The logo was designed by Aaron Leon, Massachusetts Trial Court Graphic Design & Video Editor, who has created CAW logos for the past three years.
CAW celebrates the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and experiences of community through food, music, art, dance, and storytelling. Activities include:
- food tastings and cooking demonstrations
- music, dance, and poetry
- art exhibits and cultural displays
- author talks and panel discussions
- fashion shows featuring traditional attire
The Champions will meet again in the spring to prepare for the 10th Annual CAW celebration.
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