- Massachusetts Probation Service
Media Contact
Coria Holland, Communications Director
Above: Valeria Aedo-Figueroa, Senior Counselor, Ryan Dennis, Counselor, Marcus Mattis, Damyne Jean-Baptiste, Ethan Macadam, Educator, Grady Cashman, Public Benefits Coordinator, Luke Klasman, Admin. Assistant, Front: Brittany Doherty, Treatment Manager, Yardley Theolien, Regional Program Manager, Sarina Sam, Program Monitor, Goldie Aime, Project Coordinator (HTCRP), Kimberly Albin, Program Manager, Kristina Dias, Reentry Coordinator
An Open House featuring the Suffolk Community Justice Support Center (CJSC) kicked off a Fall series of events at all 18 Support Centers across the state. The launch of the Open Houses kicked off during National Recovery Month as the centers offer many pathways to recovery and will run through November 20th.
In western Massachusetts, the Springfield Community Justice Support Center hosted the second Open House at its 11,000 square-foot Liberty Street facility on September 19th as part of this statewide series.
These events are being held to introduce prospective clients, the general public, community organizations, and the legal community to the many services, including access to healthcare, housing, and educational and job training, and more. The centers provide these services to returning citizens, probationers, court-involved individuals, or those who are seeking help. The centers have been credited with reducing recidivism rates by up to 36 percent among the probationers who attend.
The Suffolk CJSC Open House featured resource tables staffed by community agencies and opportunities for networking with community members at the 9,000-square-foot facility. Open Houses have also been held at the Brockton Center on September 25th, and at the Woburn CJSC’s on September 26th.
The Boston Center offers the Ralph Gants Project, a jobs and skills training initiative available at all statewide centers, and the Franklin Cummings HiTech Program, which provides training in the technical field and subsequent assistance with job placement.
Clients who are uninsured may be enrolled in MassHealth at the centers. Probation also provides access to housing such as sober beds and transitional housing for clients returning to the community following incarceration. The CJSC's and the Office of Community Corrections (OCC), which oversee the centers, are programs of the Massachusetts Probation Service.
"Our Support Center staff works with community-based partners to deliver treatment, education, career counseling, and clinical case management as an alternative to jail and prison. The centers also provide a statewide network of re-entry services for those returning to the community after a period of incarceration," said Vincent Lorenti, Executive Director of the Office of Community Corrections.
The following are the scheduled Fall Open Houses:
- October 2, 12:30-2 pm, Worcester CJSC, 365 Main Street, Worcester
- October 3, 1-3 pm, Dartmouth, CJSC, 867 State Road, Dartmouth
- October 9, 1-3 pm, Lowell CJSC, 33 East Merrimack Street, Lowell
- October 10, 1-3 pm, Taunton CJSC, 5 Cohannet Street, Taunton
- October 11, 1-3 pm, Framingham CJSC, 298 Howard Street, Framingham
- October 15, 1-3 PM, Fitchburg CJSC, 133 Pritchard Street, Fitchburg
- October 16, 12:20-2:30 PM, Greenfield CJSC, 108 Main Street, Greenfield
- October 18, 12:30-2 pm, Pittsfield CJSC, 163 Fourth Street, Pittsfield
- October 24, 12:30-2 pm, Northampton CJSC, 492 Pleasant Street, Northampton
- November 8, 2-4 pm, Haverhill CJSC, 200 Main Street, Haverhill
- November 8, 2024, 2-4 p.m., Barnstable CJSC, 270 Communication Way, Building 6, Hyannis
- November 13, 1-3 pm, Quincy CJSC, 1515 Hancock Street, 4th Floor, Quincy
- November 15, noon-2 pm, Lawrence CJSC, 280 Merrimack Street, 5th Floor, Lawrence
- November 20, 1-3 pm, Plymouth CJSC, 61 Industrial Park Road, Plymouth
Media Contact
