Press Release  Pizza with Probation at Gardner District Court was a huge hit

Gardner, MA — Gardner District Court Probation Officer Rachel B. Pawlina and her colleagues hosted “Pizza with Probation,” a pizza luncheon for court-involved individuals deemed to be indigent and those who happened to be at the court that day.

Ms. Pawlina and her colleagues came up with the idea to welcome probationers to lunch as a way to build rapport with the individuals she supervises as well as help those who are struggling financially by providing them with a bag of groceries to take home. Her colleagues include: Assistant Chief Terrence Moran, Probation Officer William Goodell, Probation Officer Michelle Renchkovsky and Associate Probation Officer Jayden Verhaegen organized the event.

Probationers and Probation Officer Rachel Pawlina at the Pizza with Probation event.

The food drive at Gardner District Court will continue through the end of the month as part of the statewide Trial Court Cares Food Drive. Ms. Pawlina plans to host the Pizza with her Probation event annually each Fall as well as other activities that will help her and her colleagues give back to the community and connect with probationers and their families.

Food collected for the Trial Court Cares Food Drive at Gardner District Court.

“We invited them to attend this event to talk with Probation, share some free pizza, and take home items from our court organized food drive. It was also opened to court users who were present that day in the courthouse,” said Ms. Pawlina. “It was more of an informal social gathering with those who we serve and to give back to the Gardner community.”

The 20 luncheon guests enjoyed their pizza as Ms. Pawlina shared information about resources in the community such as Alyssa’s Place, a local peer recovery center in Gardner. They also discussed sporting events. She and the other probation staff discussed their roles as Probation Officers. The luncheon took place on the last day of the Massachusetts Trial Court's Sixth Annual Cultural Appreciation Week, a statewide celebration of culture and diversity in the courts and community.

"Some individuals were so grateful for this event and the food drive that they inquired if we were going to do something similar for Christmas, which has now sparked our interest to host a similar event later in the year," said Ms. Pawlina.

"Wow, Probation has really changed! I never thought I would be eating Pizza with my PO!,” said one luncheon attendee who did not want to be identified.

Gardner District Court is one of more than 70 courts and court departments that are participating in the Trial Court Cares Food Drive. The drive raised more than 15 tons of food across the state last year. This year's drive will run through the end of November followed by a winter gear clothing drive at the courts and court offices such as the Community Justice Support Centers throughout the state. There are 19 CJSC with two in development in Haverhill and Lynn.

###