READING — The Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support, in collaboration with the Reading Police Department, will host a community event and poetry contest to raise awareness of suicide and substance misuse.
The event, “A Time to Gather,” will be held on from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St. The event will honor the 105 Reading residents who have lost their lives over the past 20 years to suicide and substance misuse.
The event will feature a variety of speakers including Barrie Brian, local Recovery Advocate who will speak on the challenges facing families in managing addiction across generations, there will be resource tables, live music provided by Cait+Pat, and more. There will also be presentations by Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support Director Erica Maillet, Fire Chief Rick Nelson, and Assistant School Superintendent Jen Stys, who will share highlights from opioid settlement-funded initiatives focused on saving lives, connecting residents to care, and preventing substance misuse.
The event will conclude with a candlelight vigil.
The poetry contest is open to students ages 13 and up who attend Reading Public Schools. The winner of the contest will read their poem at the “A Time to Gather” event. Entries should be submitted by Sept. 10. A panel of judges will review the submissions and announce the winner on Sept. 13.
Contest entries must be original work and follow one of the three prompts:
May You Remember
You Are Not Alone
A Time to Gather
To sign up for the poetry contest, click here.
Community members who wish to attend the event can RSVP here. Residents who would like to be a vendor for the event can sign up here.
“This event is an opportunity to come together and remember those who lost their lives to suicide and substance misuse, while also being there for one another for support,” said Director Maillet. “‘A Time to Gather’ is a collaborative effort to provide resources to individuals and families, and engage with our community on a deeper level. We encourage residents and community members to RSVP and attend what is sure to be a wonderful event. The Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support, in collaboration with the Reading Police Department, are committed to the safety and well-being of our community, including mental health.”
