TURNERS FALLS — The Heartwing Center, formerly known as the Montague Catholic Social Ministries, unveiled its new name to the public during a sign unveiling Wednesday on 3rd Street in Turners Falls. 

For 30 years, The Heartwing Center has operated as a small non-profit in Franklin County offering social services and resources for anyone seeking help, and the decision to change the organization’s name comes from the desire to be known as a non-denominational, inclusive organization. To commemorate this new chapter, members of The Heartwing Center along with community leaders and local officials stopped by 3rd Street to see the new sign with the center’s name unveiled. 

The Heartwing Center’s Executive Director Heather Wood said she is excited about the new name as it feels like a new beginning for the non-profit while still offering the same services that people have come to the location for since its inception. 

“I love the work, and it has felt very important to me for a long time to make sure that on the outside, we were more inclusive, and I just feel like this is the beginning of a new chapter for us,” Wood said. “We're all very, very excited.” 

The Rev. Stan Aksamit of Our Lady Of Peace in Turner Falls who works with The Heartwing Center explained that the change in name is meant to be reflective of the fact that services at The Heartwing Center are not exclusive to only Montague residents, nor is it exclusive to those of the Catholic faith. 

“If people saw the word Montague and they were not from this town, they would think that they couldn't come in, or if they saw the word Catholic, if they were non-Catholic, they would think that it wasn't for them,” Aksamit said. 

Although the name is changed, the services The Heartwing Center offers will continue. Starting in 1994, The Heartwing Center was a coalition of local parishes who came together as the “Outreach Project” before evolving into its former name the Montague Catholic Social Ministries.

The project was created in response to instances of domestic violence within Turners Falls, and the then Outreach Project sought to provide resources for women who were impacted by the violence with the establishment of a women’s center. As time progressed, the non-profit was able to extend its resources to other areas of social issues that state and government agencies may have missed. 

Today, The Heartwing Center offers services through their women’s center along with resources for housing, family support, homework help while more are available at the center. Aksamit said the center offers these resources while also acting as a space for self-improvement for those seeking it. 

“It's been to help people be self-empowered, and become more self sufficient and have greater confidence be able to take part in the life of the community,” Aksamit said. 

Andrea Ociesa Sears has been the women’s center director at The Heartwing Center for five years now after having been a family support coordinator for 11 years prior. She said that in her time with the center, she has seen the benefit the services have provided the community. 

“We help women together tap into their creative abilities, because when you create, it makes you feel good. So that's what we really promote – creativity and sharing,” Sears said. 

At the women’s center, Sears said women have an opportunity to create friendships with each other, and explore their creative interests through music and crafts while also accessing resources. With the change in name, she hopes that people can see that the organization is open to anyone. 

“It identifies more that we are open to all people, everyone who needs friendship assistance, and just open to everyone in our community so that we can support them with whatever journey that they're on, and if we can’t provide them with the resource, we refer out to other community resources,” Sears said. 

The Heartwing Center is located at 41-43 3rd Street in Turners Falls and open to anyone seeking social service. For more information on The Heartwing Center and contact information, visit the website https://mcsmcommunity.org/. 

 Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.