GREENFIELD — After reflecting on the early days of the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, task force Co-Chair John Merrigan said there remains “a big gap” in the rural region’s ability to offer sober housing.
“We need to ask the next administration … if (Gov.-elect Maura Healey) would come here and bring the staff, and help us to tackle this gap,” Merrigan explained. “We’ve come a long way.”
Merrigan joined his fellow co-chair, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, and Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, to welcome town officials, nonprofit representatives and social service workers to the fifth annual Sober Housing Summit, held at Greenfield Community College on Friday. The summit featured a panel consisting of GAAMHA Chief Operating Officer Shawn Hayden, Clinical & Support Options (CSO) Vice President of Housing and Homeless Services Bill Miller and Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing Executive Director Denise Menzdorf.
Hayden, who serves as co-chair of the Opioid Task Force’s Housing & Workforce Development Committee, emphasized the importance of offering a variety of housing options for individuals in recovery, whether that’s permanent sober housing or transitional supportive housing. He highlighted an example of permanent sober housing in Gardner that also offers peer recovery.
“That building has changed lives,” he said.
Hayden, who is also in long-term recovery, said that when it comes to the addiction recovery process, treatment, counseling and time are key, and there’s no way to fast-track it. He said he’s looking forward to expanding sober housing to include family support. Next month, a family support housing option is opening in Petersham.
Miller, whose perspective focused on keeping people off the streets, shared with attendees CSO’s plans for the Wells Street shelter in Greenfield. The agency’s proposed design includes a renovation of the existing building, expanding shelter capacity from 30 to 40, and construction of a new three-story building that will hold 36 studio apartments.
CSO has previously outlined its plans to break ground in the summer, after the agency officially takes over management of the Wells Street shelter that is now run by ServiceNet. CSO was awarded the state contract to provide emergency shelter services starting in April 2023.
“The place is run down,” Miller said, referencing a photo of the current shelter. “Why do we leave it like that? What are we saying about the people on the inside?”
Despite the challenges highlighted, panelists were also eager to emphasize that, as indicated by the Sober Housing Summit’s theme, “it can be done.” That work will involve collaboration between agencies, partnerships with nonprofit and for-profits, and advocacy at the state level, among other approaches.
“The folks in this room today are just a slice of what we need,” said Heather Bialecki-Canning, executive director of the North Quabbin Community Coalition. “There is no ‘us and them’ when we’re talking about recovery. We need safe, supportive housing.”
Wrapping up the meeting, Bialecki-Canning said the discussion on Friday was just the beginning of the conversation.
“The more we create supportive sober housing,” she said, “the more we’re supporting prevention.”
An earlier version of this article had the incorrect title for Shawn Hayden. Hayden is both the COO of GAAMH and a co-chair of the Opioid Task Force’s Housing & Workforce Development Committee.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEB yrne.