Collette Santa - Northeast Correctional Center
Posted by Frank Rigg
Rotary Club of Concord
February 5, 2015
President: Sheila Watts
Song: June Grace led the club in singing “God Bless America”
Pledge: Hilary Taylor
Blessing: Doug Detweiler
Sergeant at Arms: Dave Robertson
Bulletin Writer: Frank Rigg
Visiting Rotarians & Guests:
Ann Trudeau introduced her guests Erin Duggan and Ellen Poisson of the Cambridge Savings Bank
Question of the Week:
How many cattle comprise the N.E. Correctional Center’s herd?
Answer: Steve Levitsky, the “memory man” who remembered from last year’s NECC luncheon, provided the correct answer of 170.
Happy & Sad Fines:
Andy Mahoney paid a happy fine after taking his 14-year-old son to see the Beanpot college hockey games at Boston Garden. Steve Kirk was happy to help his younger son move into his own apartment, and to help his middle son buy a suit to wear at an interview. Frank Rigg happily recalled celebrating his 70th birthday last weekend with his daughter and her husband in Manhattan.
Announcements:
There will be a joint mixer with the Concord Lions Club on February 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Middlesex Savings Bank. The Minute Man Arc Olympic Games will be held on February 28, 2015. Leigh Ann Crimmings will coordinate this year’s Reality Fair at CCHS and would welcome all who are interested in assisting her in planning and presenting this worthwhile event.
Program:
Our program at the Fife & Drum Restaurant included an excellent lunch prepared and served by Northeast Correctional Center inmates under the supervision of Massachusetts Department of Corrections staff. Our hosts included Superintendent Collette Santa, Deputy Superintendent Marilou Whalen, Farm Manager Dave Grinkis, Work Release Coordinator Jack Fionda, and the Director of Treatment and Education Programs Ellen Flaminio. Each spoke about their responsibilities, stressing how all activities must occur within a public safety regimen mandated by state laws and a safe and humane environment for both the offender and staff.
The NCC’s mission is to help its 277 inmates develop a clear sense of direction for their future. Through structured educational, vocational, and substance abuse programs and work release opportunities, inmates are encouraged to develop solid work ethics for their eventual release into our communities. Vocational programs cover a wide range of subjects including culinary arts, auto-body, welding, computer technology, dog-handling, guide dog training, job-search skills, ESL, non-violent communication and anger management. Of the 62 pre-release inmates, 54 are currently employed and making a minimum of $9-$11 per hour.
Through the farm program, inmates can learn animal husbandry working with NCC’s herd of beef cattle. The farm program is self-supporting, does all its own farm equipment maintenance, and has received numerous awards for conservation farming practices.
Inmates also participate in supervised work crews assisting local communities with public works projects such as street cleaning, snow removal, and park maintenance.
A total of 130 volunteers participate in the teaching and presentation of these courses. Our own Steve Kirk is a volunteer instructor in the job-search course; he also helps to coordinate a special inmate/family event in December when our club provides Christmas gifts for the children of inmates. Family and jobs are key ingredients in reducing recidivism.
To end the meeting, the inmates and staff who prepared and served our lunch came out front to receive the thanks and applause of the membership.