News for Our Legislators - Seven Hills, October 2025

Open Door Arts Launches National Hub to Advance Accessibility in Arts & Culture Organizations

Open Door Arts, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation, works to improve access, participation, and representation for the people we serve in the arts and culture sector.  Open Door Arts has launched the "Arts & Culture Accessibility Hub," a national free digital platform aimed at enhancing accessibility in arts and culture organizations across the U.S. The Hub provides self-assessment tools, accessibility planning guides, legal guidance, and expert resources, created with input from cultural access experts, many of whom have disabilities. 

Key features include centralized information on over 50 accessibility topics, an accessibility self-assessment tool, expert directories, training opportunities, and artwork from over 40 artists with disabilities. The initiative aims to make the cultural sector more inclusive and equitable for people with disabilities. Learn more or explore the Hub at www.ArtsAccessHub.org. 

Growing Work Skills through Sustainable Food Production at the CRC

Through this collaboration with 2Gether We Eat, participants at ASPiRE! have the opportunity to engage in vocational exploration and training leading to paid employment with commercial hydroponic gardening, a new and growing industry for which we forecast more and more employment opportunities will continue to become available.

2Gether WE Eat is a nonprofit organization that provides “food, education, training, and employment, using hydroponics to help fight the food crisis in food deserts across our communities.” Through this partnership, skilled experts lead workshops with program participants at the CRC to instruct and educate through hands-on operation of this commercial-grade facility. For more information on 2Gether We Eat, click here.

“This partnership allows Seven Hills and 2Gether We Eat to offer vocational- and social-skill building programming for individuals with disabilities, while meaningfully addressing a real need in our community—helping to get healthy, locally grown food to members of our community in need.”

– Dr. Timothy R. Johnson, DBA

Mediation Program Secures Key Contracts

Family Services of Central Massachusetts Mediation Program (FSCM Mediation) has recently been awarded major contracts, reinforcing its role as a leading mediation provider in Massachusetts. These agreements will expand our services for families and children and support an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) pilot for small claims cases.

Support & Stabilization Services for Families and Children: The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) will fund mediation services focusing on ensuring child safety, permanency, and well-being through culturally competent, trauma-informed, and flexible mediation services

Mediation for Child Welfare: Assisting families and caregivers in resolving disputes related to child welfare, including parent-child conflicts, foster care placement issues, and reunification agreements.

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Pilot Program: The Massachusetts Executive Office of the Trial Court supports an ODR Mediation Pilot to provide accessible, online resolution for small claims cases. In partnership with equivant and Resolve Dispute Online, this initiative integrates with the court system and may expand statewide if successful.

Mediation Approach and Training Programs: This co-mediation model emphasizes facilitative mediation to help parties find sustainable solutions. Mediators are rigorously trained and hold at least a 30-hour Basic Mediation Certificate in compliance with Massachusetts legal standards.

We offer comprehensive mediation training programs, including a 36-hour Hybrid Basic Mediation Training in April 2025, featuring virtual and in-person sessions, a certificate, and a practicum opportunity. A few slots remain available!

Building Problem-Solving Skills with Legos at Greater Lowell Family Support Center

Snapology joined the Lowell Family Support Center to offer STEM activities for the Workshop Wednesday group. All participants gained confidence during the class, taking initiative and combining movement, light, and sounds as they constructed. They enjoyed the level of independence and creativity that this activity allowed—especially when challenged to make their Lego cars travel down the hallway! They used unique methods to accomplish this goal. The group plans to conclude their robotics series with a trip to an Adaptive Technology Fair to see how robotics is used to solve real-world problems! problems!

Summer Reading Heats up with SLI Program 

The Summer Literacy Initiative (SLI) Coaches from Family Services of Central Massachusetts took part in Worcester's National Night Out, continuing a community tradition. This year, the event was on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at University Park in Worcester. It is always an excellent opportunity to make the program visible and for children who participate to bring their adults to see more.

This year's activity theme was Purple People, and the SLI provided the book The World Needs More Purple People for inspiration. The activity included mirrors, purple paper, and materials so children could draw themselves and capture quotes of things they may say or think when being purple. The book proposes that children (and adults) can "become a purple person by embracing what makes YOU special while finding common ground with those around you."

Thanks to the SLI coaches who participated, Krystle Rosario, Julia Simoneau, Brittany Corson, and Sarah Powers-Radford, it was a great event. Keep the kids reading!