LYNN — Nine organizations will receive a total of $247,000 in grant funding from the Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund, to be used for helping people in recovery and combating the opioid epidemic. The grants were recommended to the Mayor’s office by the Lynn Opioid Working Group.
“We are pleased to award these funds that will make a difference in addressing the challenges our community faces in confronting the opioid crisis,” Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “These organizations are providing valuable assistance to people in the community who we want to make sure get the resources and support they need.”
In addition to the grants, the City has installed a vending machine downtown with harm-reduction materials, including Narcan, informational resources and hygiene products free of charge. The machine was accessed 30 times in the first five days it was in operation. The machine is at the corner of Buffum and Blake streets.
The grant recipients are:
- LYSOA (Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy) – $50,000
- Ruth’s Way – $50,000
- Lynn Senior Center – $47,000
- Recovery Exchange – $20,000
- Girls Inc. – $20,000
- Comprehensive Treatment Centers (CTC, formerly Habit Opco) – $20,000
- Mario’s Mission – $20,000
- Soul City Yoga – $10,000
- Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) – $10,000
Examples of how the grant funding will be used include LYSOA purchasing a 14-passenger van to transport youth; Ruth’s Way adding capacity for sober housing for women; Recovery Exchange covering move-in costs and three months’ expenses for individuals moving into sober housing; Girls Inc. providing after-school enrichment opportunities that teach healthier coping habits; CTC providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD); Mario’s Mission providing women with sober living; Soul City Yoga offering scholarships to individuals in recovery to attend yoga and fitness classes, and wellness workshops; and LCHC providing pre-paid debit cards to meet one on one with individuals in recovery and offer them continued support on their journey.
Nicole O’Brien of Ruth’s Way shared the impact of the funds. “The Opioid Abatement Grant gives us, as a small nonprofit, an opportunity to help remove barriers that prevent women from getting healthy and well. Being able to provide safe, structured sober homes for women is critical for them to feel safe, learn life skills, find a routine, be accountable, and address trauma. This grant helps us to remove barriers such as lack of funds for housing, transportation to recovery meetings, school, and work, toiletries, food, and clothing.”
