Mary O’Coin, Executive Director of the United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton, attended the Club meeting.  She brought the members up-to-date on each agency United Way supports and the agency’s purpose.  There is a wide variety of needed services provided to the Tri-Community area by these agencies.  We also played a little trivia about UWSSC and not quite sure we got a passing grade – but we learned a great deal!  Besides volunteering each year during Day of Caring, Rotary also gave Mary a check for $250 to help support the much-needed work of UWSSC.

Pauline White, Mary O’Coin (center), President Dave Zonia.

Peter Kosciusko spoke with us about Reconciliation House, Inc. (RHI) which is a sober living community for men.  The MA certified House is located in Webster, MA and has been in operation for one and a half years.  RHI provides housing for up to six men in recovery who have completed the Substance Treatment Opportunity Program (STOP) at the Worcester County House of Correction, a 6 to 9-month intensive substance abuse rehabilitation program.  The House has a live-in manager to provide guidance and to ensure residents comply with the House requirements including paying for their room.  RHI is a non-profit corporation and a ministry of the Church of the Reconciliation, the Episcopal Church.  The Church also helps seek work opportunities for the graduates of the program.