ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday, 10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Free Playgroup: Come Play & Learn, for parents/caregivers with children, infants to age 6, every Thursday, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Bernardston Elementary School gymnasium, 37 School St. The playgroup follows the public school calendar and is sponsored by PVRSD CFCE. For more information, contact Deb Wood at 498-2660 or email: woodd@pvrsdk12.org
Baystate Franklin Medical Center will offer a cardiac risk cholesterol screening on Wednesday, April 13, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room A. Participants must fast for 12 hours prior to being screened. Test results will be forwarded to participants and their primary care providers. The cost for the screening is $10; pre-registration is required. To register, please call Baystate Health Link at 413-773-2454 or 1-800-377-4325.
Family United Network: The Family United Network (F.U.N.) Center is at The Salasin Center, 474 Main St., Thursdays, 4 to 6:30 p.m., a fun time fo the whole family. All ages are welcome. For more information, contact Stacy at 774-4307, ext. 4, or visit: slangknecht@wmcinfo.org
Vet to Vet: The RECOVER Project and the Recovery Learning Community offer “Vet to Vet” every Thursday, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at 74 Federal St. This collaboration is for all veterans, regardless of discharge status to offer support when the civilian world is a challenge. For more information, contact Time at 475-0226.
Circle of Moms: Meets Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St. Free parking, childcare, snacks. For more information, call 774-1000.
Community Action’s Family Center: The Family Center, 90 Federal St., offers play & learn groups, a parent support group and special early literacy events. The staff can help answer questions you have on topics like parenting, discipline, child development and school readiness. Free books, clothing and diapers on site. Staff can help you find other resources in the community. Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 475-1553. Find us on Facebook.
Free ongoing classes: The Literacy Project/Greenfield offers ongoing free basic education classes, free GED preparation classes, free job readiness workshops, free college transition workshops and free academic counseling services. For more information, call 774-3935 or visit: literacyproject.org
Benefits Counseling Program: Are you age 60 or older and worried abut your home heating bill? Income eligible seniors can find help through Franklin County Home Care’s Benefits Counseling Program. FCHCC will help file an application for fuel assistance and find other ways to save you money. Contact Gretchen Smith at 773-5555, email info@fchcc.org, or visit fchcc.org for more information.
Healthy Aging Program: The program at Franklin County Home Care Corp. promotes wellness and independence among older adults. Workshops on chronic disease self-management, healthy eating, falls prevention and walking groups make up this evidence-based program. To volunteer as a peer leader/trainer or to find a workshop in your community, contact Lesley Kayan at 773-5555, ext. 2297 or call 978-544-2259, ext. 2297. Read more at: fchcc.org
Knitting at the Library: All knitters are invited to drop by to knit, chat, exchange helpful hints and share ideas on Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m., Dickinson Memorial Library. The group will be led by Kathy O’Shea, a graduate of WEBS knitting program. Drop in anytime.
Free Ongoing Classes: The Literacy Project North Quabbin offers ongoing free basic education classes, free GED preparation classes and free academic counseling services. For more information, contact The Literacy Project North Quabbin, 34 North Main St. or call 978-544-8917 or visit: literacyproject.org
Community Supper: West County Community Supper, Fridays, Trinity Church, Severane Street, Shelburne Falls. Coffee and tea at 5 p.m.; supper at 5:30. Supper sponsored by caring groups and organizations.
Free Medical Clinic: Trailside Health at 111 Bridge St., downtown Shelburne Falls. It is on the FRTA bus route. The free clinic takes place every Tuesday at 9 a.m. Call 625-6240.
Free weekly playgroup: Enjoy time with your children and other families and caregivers from your community on Fridays, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Shutesbury Elementary School gym. This playgroup is facilitated by Gillian Budine and Joie Ciepiela nd is intended for infants to age 5. it is sponsored by Shutesbury Elementary School and Union 28 Community Network for Children. The program does not take place during school closures. For more information, contact Budine at 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com
Polish food for sale: Through March 21, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 15 Thayer St., has for sale frozen cheese, potato and cheese and sauerkraut pierogi. To arrange a time for purchase and pickup call 665-2129 or 774-3800.
Play Quidditch at the Sunderland Public Library: Have you ever wanted to jump into a Quidditch game while reading Harry Potter? Now is your chance! The UMASS Quidditch team will be at the Sunderland Public Library on Saturday, April 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. to teach you how to play Quidditch. Participants will learn the basics of playing Quidditch and will have the chance to play a game for themselves. This event is free and open to children and teens ages 7 to 18.
Jewelry making class for Teens at the Sunderland Public Library: Cindy Bennett will be teaching a jewelry making class for teens and tweens at the Sunderland Public Library on Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. She will provide a variety of beads and will teach participants how to make any type of jewelry from bracelets to earrings. This event is free and open to all. For both programs, sign up at the Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., or call 413-665-2642.
Time for Mothers: Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free early-literacy childcare provided to children up to age 8 at the Family Center, 78 Avenue A, while mothers meet at the Women’s Center, 41 Third St. The Women’s Center provides a computer lab/internet service, community resources, peer support, arts & crafts, and gently used clothing. Both Centers are programs of Montague Catholic Social Ministries. Call Christine for information at 863-4804 ext. 1003 or email: christine@mcsmcommunity.org
Rehabilitation services at BFMC: Rehabilitation Services at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 48 Sanderson St. For more information or to schedule a free screening, call 773-2227.
Overeaters Anonymous: Free meetings every week. In Greenfield: Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Baystate Franklin Medical Center, conferenc room 9; Sunday, 10 to 11:15 a.m., also at BFMC. For more information to locate meetings throughout Massachusetts, Brattleboro and northern Vermont, call 773-7394 or 783-4198.
Child Care/Preschool/Home-Visiting: The Parent-Child Development Center, serving families with children birth to kindergarten age and expectant women over 40, offers free Head Start preschool, free Head Start and early Head Start home visiting programs and child care in Franklin/Hampshire counties. Spanish speaking services available. In Franklin County, call 475-1405.
ICRC at Franklin County Home Care: The Information and Caregiver Resource Center at Franklin County Home Care has answers to all your questions about elder services/caregiver support. FCHCC resource consultants are experts in finding the information you need to solve any problem. If we don’t have the answer, we will find someone who can help you. Contact ICRC at Franklin County Home Care at 773-5555 or 978-544-2259.
RSVP Volunteer Opportunities: Do you want to share your experience and skills but don’t have much time to volunteer? RSVP’s Experience on Call program offers episodic volunteer opportunities for one time or short term events and projects that will help local non-profit organizations. More than 600 adults, 55 and older, lend their skills and time, experience and interests to improve their communities through RSVP of Franklin and Hampshire counties. For more information, contact pat Sicard at Psicard@hampshirecog.org or call 413-584-1300 ext. 183.