News  Fitchburg Community Corrections Center hosts Transition Ceremony

One of the clients earned his high school equivalency diploma. Seventy-five people were in attendance.

Fitchburg District Court Chief Probation Officer Rebecca Ramirez-Abdella and First Justice Christopher LoConto addressed the graduates, noting how all individuals “share a common goal to change behavior and commit to improving their lives.”

In her remarks, Chief Ramirez-Abdella said Transition Ceremonies are not only important to the clients and their families; they are also important for the staff at Fitchburg District Court.

“My staff often struggles as they witness the setbacks and failures that can occur during treatment and recovery. These ceremonies re-energize my team and remind us of why we do this work,” she said.

In addition to Chief Ramirez-Abdella and Judge LoConto, the other speakers at the ceremony were Deputy Commissioner-Field Services Michael Coelho, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest Martineau, State Representative Stephan Hay (D-Fitchburg) and State Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster), as well as Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis.

During the ceremony, the participants thanked their Probation Officers who are from Fitchburg, Gardner, and Ayer District Courts.

Fitchburg District: Taiz Butler, Nick Pappas, Tara Sullivan, and Diamily Titus. Gardner District: Rachel Pawlina and Ayer District: Stacy Deveau 

In addition to Fitchburg District Court, Probationers who attend the Fitchburg Center are on probation at Gardner, Leominster, and Ayer District Courts. Deputy Commissioner Coelho also acknowledged Program Director Mark Leary and Assistant Program Director Mary Dayotas and Regional Program Manager Daniela “Danni” Lopes for their work at the center and with the graduates.