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Westborough Rotary E-Bulletin

January 23, 2018
 
 

Cultivate Care Farms

Cultivate Care Farms in Bolton offers outpatient farm-based therapy through a model that challenges traditional mental health programs, Andrew Lapin, founder and executive director, explained to our membership during our meeting on January 17. Andrew's research showed that traditional therapy techniques lacked effectiveness and he sought to develop an affordable, innovative approach for individuals and families. By empowering the Care Farm system, the program rescues both humans and animals from despair, abandonment, and pain, and creates communities of mutual growth and healing. Founded in 2015, Cultivate Care is based on a centuries-old approach to therapy that began in Europe which matches people with animals to build a connection.  The facility uses the farm and animals to support behavioral counseling, serving between 20 and 40 outpatient clients each week. Therapists work alongside the clients as they perform chores and interact with the animals while their stories naturally unfold.
 
Andrew explains that "there’s a lot of power that comes from riding a horse and learning how to control a 1,200 pound animal when you’re just a 60 pound kid, or through the process of working with the sheep and seeing how skittish they might be, but over time they learn to trust.”  There are more than 50 animals on the farm, including horses, pigs, sheep, cows, chickens and bees. Each animal serves a different purpose in the therapy process for the Farm's clients.
 
In 2017, Cultivate Care Farms became a non-profit organization, furthering Andrew and his staff's vision of expanding Care Farming in America.  The program now accepts insurance and strives to be inclusive to all who may benefit from its services. It is one of the only facilities in the area that can accept and support LGBT individuals in crisis.  To learn more about Cultivate Care Farms, visit their website, and watch Andrews entire presentation on our Facebook page.

Rotary Spokes Rec Basketball

Westborough Rotary is proud to sponsor the Rotary Spokes in the town's Recreational Basketball League this year.  Here we see some photos provided by Paul McGrath as the Ppokes come from behind to win 57 to 51 in a game on January 8.  Pictured at near right we see #15 Matt Crowley, a junior, driving for two, and at far right, Brendan Mcgrath concentrates before sinking a foul shot. To support the kids and take in a game, visit Westborough Recreation's website to see standings and schedule.
 
 
 
Upcoming Meetings
Jan 24, 2018 12:15 PM
Board of Directors Report; RYLA
Jan 31, 2018 12:15 PM
An education on Montessori
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Worcester Railers Hockey
DCU Center
Jan 26, 2018 7:00 PM
 
Rotary Means Business
The Fay Club
Feb 08, 2018
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
 
2018 Rotary Mount Washington Summit
Mount Washington Hotel
May 04, 2018 – May 06, 2018
 
RYLA
Fitchburg State University
Jun 22, 2018 – Jun 24, 2018
 
Rotary International Convention
Toronto
Jun 23, 2018 – Jun 27, 2018
 
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Member Spotlight:  Scott King

Scott King has been a member of Westborough Rotary for about three and a half years.  Scott was raised in Connecticut and moved to Sherborn, MA when he was a senior in high school (he says it took some time to get used to "small town" living).  Scott has three adult children and now lives with his wife in Southboro.  He attended Babson College and has been in the mortgage business for three decades, currently working as a mortgage originator for Leader Bank.  He loves spending time by the ocean and particularly enjoys the Cape and Rhode Island.  Scott finds being near the water to be very therapeutic.  Married for 29 years, Scott is extremely close with his three kids and enjoyed being deeply involved in their activities when they were young.   Scott coached soccer, lacrosse, and basketball, and was a Boy Scout leader for 12 years.  Scott and his wife are getting a golden retriever puppy and we wish him good luck with that!  To get to know Scott, watch his talk on our Facebook page.

Free Holiday Store 2017 - Final Update 

The Free Holiday Store was open from Monday, December 4th through Friday, December 22nd.  Julia Oneil-Welch from Youth and Family Services provided the following statistics for this year's efforts:
 
  • 117 families served
  • 254 children and teens received gifts
  • 3063 total number of gifts distributed
  • 2541 toys & gifts, other items
  • 389 books
  • 133 purses from the Purse Project
Also distributed were wrapping paper, bows, tape, gift cards, gift tags, holiday cards, gift bags, hats, mittens, shoes, string backpacks, clothing items, personal items and other miscellaneous donated items.
Join Us for Lunch or Dinner!
Wednesdays at 12:15pm, 3rd Wednesday at 6:15pm
Chateau Restaurant
95 Turnpike Road
Rt 9 & Rt 30
Westborough, MA  01581
United States
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