Safe Harbor News & Press Releases

Cohasset Youth Ambassadors Announce Winners of 2022 Pumpkin Decorating Contest

By Laila Al Rashid & Sam Kearney, Cohasset Anchor, November 2022

“Hello Cohasset! We hope that you had a healthy and safe Halloween this year. We are excited to announce the winners of this year’s pumpkin decorating contest! More than 50 pumpkins were on display throughout the Village after a week of decorating. The pumpkins were handed out at the ASP Pumpkin Patch in mid-October for free to all registered residents.”

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Cohasset Youth Ambassadors Host Pumpkin Decorating Contest

By Laila Al Rashid and Sam Kearney, Cohasset Anchor, October, 2022

Happy Halloween Cohasset! Cohasset Youth Ambassadors would like to invite you to participate in our second Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Participants will receive a pumpkin and decorate it to celebrate our community and compete for a gift card prize. All participants will also get a goodie bag when they drop off their pumpkins. The pumpkins will be displayed throughout Cohasset Village during the judging period and all Cohasset residents are invited to participate in the voting.

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Youth Ambassador Of The Month: Dominique Vecchiolla

By Laila Al Rashid & Sam Kearney, Cohasset Anchor, October, 2022

Hello Cohasset – Happy Autumn! Safe Harbor’s Cohasset Youth Ambassadors (CYA) program is off to a great start. After having a successful first month, we are excited to honor Dominique Vecchiolla as October’s Youth Ambassador of the Month. A current seventh grader at Cohasset Middle School, Dominique joined the CYA program this year because she strongly believes that promoting mental health and wellbeing builds a stronger community.

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Safe Harbor Secures 5 More Years of Federal Funding

Press Release by Nicole Balaschi, Program Director, Safe Harbor September, 2022

The Town of Cohasset’s Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition will continue as a beacon for raising awareness, and of education and prevention of substance misuse, as they recently received the Federal grant renewal that will enable the organization to keep going.

The grant is in the amount of $625,000, $125,000 per year from 2022- 2027, and will cover the salary of the Director, a full-time Project Coordinator, and support hours of effort put in by our Youth Ambassador Leaders.

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Safe Harbor Youth Ambassador Of The Month: Jack Kearney

By Laila Al Rashid & Sam Kearney, Cohasset Anchor, September, 2022

Hello Cohasset! We hope you had a fantastic summer at Sandy Beach or enjoying food downtown. We have been busy planning another year of events for Safe Harbor’s Cohasset Youth Ambassadors with over 45 students participating and we are excited to continue writing to you about our projects!

We would like to kick off the year by highlighting Jack Kearney as Youth Ambassador of the Month! Currently a freshman at Cohasset High School, Jack joined Safe Harbor’s Cohasset Youth Ambassadors (CYA) program in September, 2021 after experiencing the ways substance abuse has affected the lives of those he cares about.

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Upward Spiral: From Addiction To Healing Exhibit 2022

Press Release by Nicole Balaschi, Safe Harbor, September, 2022

Mark your calendar for Cohasset’s 5th annual exhibit in support of National Recovery Month*- Upward Spiral- From Addiction To Healing. Hosted by Safe Harbor, South Shore Art Center and Paul Pratt Memorial Library, this exhibit premieres in the Meeting Room of the Paul Pratt Memorial Library on September 9th and will be viewable through October 26th, 2022.

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Dangers Of Underaged Binge Drinking & The Value Of Early Discussions About Alcohol

By Pran Teelucksingh, Brown University A.B. Public Health, Class of 2025 & Safe Harbor Intern, August, 2022

Former Cohasset High School student Pran Teelucksingh, now a sophomore at Brown University, spent this past summer interning with Safe Harbor. His objective was to increase awareness about the importance of discussing alcohol expectations earlier and often, specifically between middle school parents and students.

Please click here to read Pran’s article!

5th Annual Candlelight Vigil

Safe Harbor July, 2022

It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching our 5th annual candlelight vigil. Safe Harbor welcomes anyone who has been impacted and/or has lost a loved one to addiction to join us on August 31, 2022.  This year’s vigil will be held on the evening of International Overdose Awareness Day- a global event aiming to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledge the grief felt by friends and families while raising overdose awareness.  Community members are welcome to gather from 6:45-7:45pm together at Cohasset’s Town Common.

The vigil will include words of guidance, loss and hope delivered by community members and by poems written by those personally impacted. Additional inspiration through youth performance by Lizzy Power. We will remember those who have been lost to any kind of substance misuse, uplift our loved ones left behind, and acknowledge the strength and perseverance of the many among us struggling with addiction. Please click here for the official press release!

SAFE HARBOR YOUTH AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH: AYDIN TIRYAKI

By Evelyn Dickey & Maeve Kearney, The Cohasset Anchor, January, 2022

“Hello Cohasset! We are honored to spotlight Aydin Tiryaki for our first ever edition of Youth Ambassador of the Month! Aydin, a current Freshman at Cohasset High School, joined Safe Harbor’s Cohasset Youth Ambassadors program in September, 2021 to follow his passion-promoting a healthy Cohasset!”

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CATCHING UP WITH COHASSET YOUTH AMBASSADORS

By Evelyn Dickey & Maeve Kearney, The Cohasset Anchor, December 2021

“Hey Cohasset! Maeve Kearney and Evelyn Dickey here. We are thrilled to announce that beginning in January, we are going to be highlighting a Youth Ambassador every month! Throughout the duration of the year, we have been able to work along with passionate youth who truly strive to make a difference in our community. In recognition of this dedication, we plan to feature a member of the Cohasset Youth Ambassadors (CYA) program that has exemplified what we strive to be as Youth Ambassadors.”

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COHASSET RECREATION CENTER CUTS THE RIBBON FOR RE-OPENING

By William Wassersug, The Cohasset Anchor, November 2021

“At one time a brick building on 55R South Main Street was a town owned garage used by the Cohasset Highway Department. Over the years, things have changed, and starting with the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, the building has become a Recreation Center geared toward middle school and young high schoolers.”

“Thursday Nov. 18, town officials and staff got together to cut the symbolic ribbon to celebrate the official re-opening. Getting this project running was in the works for a long time and started with support from Cohasset Safe Harbor Coalition.”

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COMING SOON: AMBASSADORS BI-WEEKLY

Bi-weekly articles highlighting current topics affecting Cohasset youth & the Cohasset Youth Ambassadors 

Hello Cohasset! This is Evelyn Dickey and Maeve Kearney coming to you with an exciting announcement! Going forward, we will have a featured article in Safe Harbor’s bi-weekly newsletters! This provides us an opportunity to highlight the incredible work the members of the Youth Ambassadors program are doing! Once a month, we will also highlight a Youth Ambassador who has shown extraordinary leadership and commitment to our community. Please stay tuned!

Please click here to meet the authors!

GROUND LEVEL CAFE-BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON!

Press Release by Laurie Pearson, Safe Harbor Cohasset, August, 2021

Ground Level Café is back just in time to kick off the 2021-2022 school year!! Students in grades 7-12 who live in Cohasset are welcome to join us to perform, listen to music, play games and socialize.  Music, poetry, stand-up comedy, theatre-all forms of artistic expression are welcome at this open mic venue. 

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COHASSET’S 4TH ANNUAL UPWARD SPIRAL: FROM ADDICTION TO HEALING EXHIBIT

Press Release by Laurie Pearson, Safe Harbor Cohasset, August, 2021

Mark your calendar for Cohasset’s 4th annual exhibit in support of National Recovery Month*- Upward Spiral- From Addiction To Healing. Hosted by Safe Harbor, South Shore Art Center and Paul Pratt Memorial Library, this exhibit premieres in the Meeting Room of the Paul Pratt Memorial Library on September 7th and will be viewable throughout the month of September-public welcome!

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COHASSET YOUTH AMBASSADORS PROGRAM REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Press Release by Laurie Pearson, Safe Harbor Cohasset, August, 2021

Now through August 27, 2021 or until we reach capacity, Safe Harbor is pleased to announce that registration is open for our 2021-22 Cohasset Youth Ambassadors program. Youth Ambassadors are a fun, enthusiastic, passionate group of 7-12^th graders working with peers, community members, local businesses, and many more to promote substance use prevention and mental health de-stigmatization. The Youth Ambassadors program is unlike any other extracurricular available in Cohasset, combining educational and social elements, while also teaching valuable life skills that will help participants succeed in the future. 

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COHASSET’S SAFE HARBOR LAUNCHES REGIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST UNDERAGE DRINKING

By Quinn Kelly, Cohasset Mariner, August, 2021

“The message is clear from Safe Harbor Cohasset as the group begins its latest campaign against drug and alcohol abuse: a regional underage drinking prevention campaign aimed at slowing down what they say is a pervasive problem.”

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SAFE HARBOR JOINS REGIONAL CAMPAIGN TO WARN ABOUT FAKE ID USE

Press Release by Laurie Pearson, Safe Harbor Cohasset, August, 2021

Preventing Underage Drinking is Everyone’s Responsibility! Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition is excited to announce their efforts in a regional underage drinking prevention campaign. Accessibility is one of the greatest root causes for youth alcohol consumption here on the South Shore, with top local conditions being with adults providing to minors and minors purchasing fake identification online. The goal of this regional campaign is to decrease the accessibility of alcohol to minors and raise awareness of the ramifications if a fake ID is used.

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COHASSET REPRESENTED AT CADCA’S 2021 MID-YEAR CONFERENCE

Safe Harbor Cohasset, July, 2021

Representing Cohasset, 4 participants in Safe Harbor’s Youth Ambassadors  program attended CADCA’s 2021 week-long Virtual Mid-Year Conference last week learning skills about post COVID rise of house parties and how to prevent them from coming to your town, advancing equity through a youth lens and more. 

Youth Ambassadors are looking forward to talking about what they have learned with their peers and applying these tips to help make a greater impact in Cohasset. 

To learn more about CADCA, please click here. 

COHASSET’S 4TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL SET FOR AUG. 31

By Quinn Kelly, Wicked Local Cohasset, August, 2021

“A tradition promoting togetherness and unity in the face of tragedy has blossomed in Cohasset in recent years. Since 2017, community members have gathered on the evening of International Overdose Awareness Day for a candlelight vigil on the Town Common.”

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SAFE HARBOR’S 4TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

Press Release by Laurie Pearson, Safe Harbor Cohasset, July, 2021

It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching our 4th annual candlelight vigil. Safe Harbor welcomes anyone who has been impacted and/or has lost a loved one to addiction to join us on August 31, 2021. This year’s vigil will be held on the evening of International Overdose Awareness Day- a global event aiming to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledge the grief felt by friends and families while raising overdose awareness. Community members are welcome to gather from 6:45-8:00pm together at Cohasset’s Town Common.

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COHASSET POLICE DEPARTMENT & SAFE HARBOR COHASSET SHARE SUMMER SAFETY TIPS FOR RESIDENTS & VISITORS

Safe Harbor’s Program Director Nicole Balaschi teamed up with Cohasset Police Department to create a brief video focused on summer safety. Chief William Quigley, Officer Mark Jenkins, Officer Brendan Skerry, and School Resource Officer Gregory Taylor from Cohasset Police Department offer important tips on how to ensure that your time summer is enjoyed safely. 

Please CLICK HERE to view the video.

PRESS RELEASE: NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK 2021

By Safe Harbor Cohasset, April 2021

COHASSET, MA-Safe Harbor is excited to announce this year’s efforts for National Prevention Week (NPW). National Prevention Week, an annual week dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and the value of positive mental health, will take place from May 9th-15th. Each year, communities and organizations across the country join forces to promote substance misuse prevention, educate peers, and collaborate with the community to create a safe, clean, and healthy environment.

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GROUND LEVEL CAFE IS BACK

By Safe Harbor Cohasset, March 2021

Safe Harbor is thrilled to team up with Cohasset REC to host Ground Level Cafe at Sandy Beach! Students in grades 7-12 from Cohasset are welcome to perform, or come and cheer on their peers on May 7th from 5:30-7:30pm. 
Attendees can enjoy a sweet treat courtesy of Safe Harbor from the Nona’s Homemade Ice Cream Truck! 

Please CLICK HERE to learn more and register!

Please CLICK HERE to read the Official Press Release.

SAFE HARBOR: SPRING INTO ACTION

By Wicked Local Cohasset, March 2021

Spring Into Action! Spread community cheer and purchase a potted flower plant for $10 to be contactless-ly delivered by the Cohasset Youth Ambassador team. 

Through this campaign, community members can send a plant with a personalized message and information regarding Drug Take Back Day to loved ones, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or anyone dear to them.

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SPOTLIGHT ON EVELYN DICKEY-COHASSET YOUTH AMBASSADOR FEATURED BY THE 84

February 2021

All Eyes on Evelyn! Cohasset Youth Ambassador Evelyn Dickey, was recently featured in a special spotlight as a member of The 84‘s SLT (statewide leadership team).

Evelyn’s passion to cultivate mental health education has made her a Youth Ambassador Leader and peer role model we are proud of. Way to go Evelyn!

Please CLICK HERE to read The 84‘s spotlight on Evelyn.

The 84 is a statewide movement of youth fighting tobacco in Massachusetts. The 84 represents the 84% of Massachusetts youth who did NOT smoke when the movement began. Now, 93.4% of youth do NOT smoke.

DANGERS OF VAPING

A PSA created by Cohasset Youth Ambassadors Hannah Hession, Sari Reyes, Calvin Spear, Carter Carrol, Nolan Smith, Harrison Babuschak, Frances Brisbane, Catherine Brisbane, David Greaney, Shaw Hutton, & Morgan Sile, February 2021

In February, a group of Cohasset Youth Ambassadors developed an anti-vaping Public Service Announcement. 95.9 WATD FM Radio recorded the PSA to be played across south shore communities on the radio.

Many thanks to 95.9 WATD FM Radio for creating this recording to be aired as a PSA throughout the upcoming months.

Please CLICK HERE to watch!

FROM THE GROUND UP: SILE FOSTERS MAINSTAY WITH COHASSET’S YOUTH AMBASSADORS

By Quinn Kelly, Wicked Local Cohasset, November, 2020

“The volunteerism that Sile has helped to inspire looks to be something that will extend past the now senior’s time at Cohasset High. Sile has constructed a program that is built to last, and knows she’s ready to pass the torch to another motivated student after her graduation this spring.”

Please CLICK HERE to continue to article on Wicked Local with additional Pictures.

Please CLICK HERE to read a PDF of the article.

COHASSET: SAFE HARBOR COALITION HOSTS SOCIAL MEDIA FORUM

By WATD 95.9 News & Talk Radio, South Shore Massachusetts, November 2020

“Program Director Nicole Balaschi says 16% of students at the high school reported that social media was a significant form of stress. Guest speakers Katie Tyler and Brittany Badgett from Health Imperatives spoke about the importance talking to children about social media.”

Please CLICK HERE to continue…

COHASSET ANNOUNCES PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST WINNERS

By Quinn Kelly, Wicked Local Cohasset, October 2020

“Over the last two weeks, 173 pumpkins were on display throughout the Village after a week-long decorating period. The pumpkins, provided by Safe Harbor from the Boy Scout’s ASP Pumpkin Patch, were handed out in mid-October for free to registered residents.”

Please CLICK HERE to continue to article on Wicked Local with additional Pictures.

Please CLICK HERE to read a PDF of the article.

TOWN OF COHASSET LAUNCHES COHASSET VIRTUAL YOUTH CENTER (CVYC)

Update by Safe Harbor, October 2020

The Town of Cohasset has launched the Cohasset Virtual Youth Center (CVYC), to serve as a central location for all youth-geared programming and events that are occurring via Cohasset Rec, Paul Pratt Memorial Library, Cohasset Elder Affairs, and Safe Harbor.

The CVYC can be accessed by clicking on the CVYC Logo, located on the bottom right side of the Town of Cohasset’s Home page.

Please CLICK HERE to visit the CVYC!

TOWN OF COHASSET’S PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST

Please Join Safe Harbor Cohasset for the Town of Cohasset’s Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Cohasset residents of all ages are welcome to join us for this free, fun, fall activity to celebrate the season. 

Please CLICK HERE for details!

HOW TO ASSESS YOUR COMMUNITY

2 Minute Video By Cohasset Youth Ambassadors

In July 2020, Cohasset Youth Ambassadors, Evelyn Dickey, Maeve Kearney, and Lisel Nee virtually attended CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) Training Institute 19th Annual Mid-Year Training. CADCA is a nonprofit organization that is committed to creating safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally.

During this training, Youth Ambassadors attended training sessions and workshops lead by experts in the prevention field, coalitions from around the globe and federal agency partners. This 2 minute video, created by Evelyn, Maeve and Lisel, talks about community assessment and it’s importance in addressing underage substance use within communities.

Please CLICK HERE to watch this video.

PRESS RELEASE: FREE NARCAN TRAINING

By Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition, September 2020

Cohasset, Mass. September 25, 2020 – On Monday, October 5th at 6:30pm, Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition will be teaming up with Manet Community Health Center to provide a free Virtual Narcan Training, presented live via Zoom. Attendees will learn how to respond to a life-threatening opioid overdose, including how to administer the lifesaving drug Narcan, which is responsible for saving countless lives over the past several years.

Please CLICK HERE to continue reading the official press release.

PRESS RELEASE: GROUND LEVEL CAFE IS BACK!

By Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition, September 2020

Cohasset, Mass. September 17, 2020 – Ground Level Café (GLC) is back!! Over the past several years, GLC, has become a local hot-spot for young people, and is especially popular among young musicians. With an open-mic style format, Ground Level is unlike any place else in Cohasset. Please CLICK HERE to continue reading the official press release.

Please CLICK HERE to register.

COHASSET HOSTS INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY VIGIL

By Cohasset Mariner, September 2020

“International Overdose Awareness Day is held each year on Aug. 31. The day serves as a way to raise awareness about overdoses and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and overdose related deaths. It is also meant to recognize the grief felt by family and friends whose loved ones have been lost to addiction or have been permanently injured as a result of an overdose.”

Please CLICK HERE to continue…

COHASSET LEADERS SUPPORT
MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL SERVICE 

Check out this PSA from Cohasset Town Leaders about the William James College Interface Referral Service, a free & confidential helpline available Monday-Friday, 9a-5p. This service is available to residents of Braintree, Canton, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Marshfield, Pembroke, Plymouth & Scituate to help find a Mental Health provider that welcomes new patients, accepts your insurance, and specializes in your needs.

Thank you to Cohasset community leaders for taking the time to highlight this essential service! 

DAVID GREANEY-YOUTH AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH!

By Nicole Balaschi for Life on the Rocks Magazine, June 2020

This Month we feature Cohasset Youth Ambassador David Greaney, an eighth grade student at Derby Academy in Hingham. David is wise beyond his years, demonstrating a professional attitude towards leadership, spending most of his free time volunteering for various organizations throughout the South Shore, all while being a positive role model to his younger sisters and brother. Cohasset, Meet David!

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COHASSET YOUTH AMBASSADORS CAMEO IN THE 84 MOVEMENT NEWSLETTER

This month’s “The 8ighty 4our” newsletter features a cameo of Cohasset Youth Ambassadors Kira Jamieson and Morgan Sile, who are active in the fight against youth tobacco use. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about “The 8ighty 4our”.

PRESS RELEASE: COHASSET LEARNS TOGETHER

“Cohasset Learns Together,” will cover topics such as, what parents can do to help support their elementary school children during COVID-19, how we can help our teens/tweens navigate home, family, friends and school during this time of quarantine, and tips for self-care and mental wellness of our children, families and friends during COVID-19.

Each session will last approximately 45-minutes, followed by a Q & A session, where attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions directly to the speaker.

Please CLICK HERE to read the press release.

LEILA OMRAN-YOUTH AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH!

By Nicole Balaschi for Life on the Rocks Magazine, May 2020

This Month we feature Cohasset Youth Ambassador Leila Omran, an eighth grade student at Cohasset Middle School. With her positive attitude and beautiful smile, Leila aspires to spread positivity throughout the community, while focusing on making a difference and helping others.

Please CLICK HERE to learn more about Leila!

SAFE HARBOR SAYS TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON THE INCREASE DURING PANDEMIC

By Quinn Kelly, Cohasset Mariner, May 2020

“Safe Harbor is partnering with Curtis Liquors while it continues to fight to keep kids safe as they navigate through a period of increased anxiety and free time.”

Please CLICK HERE to continue reading on Wicked Local or CLICK HERE to read as a PDF.