MSO celebrates graduation of 34 new corrections officers

MELROSE >> The 34 new corrections officers sworn in by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office during a recent ceremony in Melrose are among the most diverse classes in MSO history.

The 49th Basic Training Academy Class includes eight new officers that were born outside the U.S. Members of the class speak 12 languages in addition to English, including American sign language, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Swahili.

The group includes three second-generation members of the MSO and one third-generation officer. Three graduates have parents who are currently serving roles at the MSO.

The graduation ceremony on Nov. 17 followed a 12-week Basic Training Academy during which recruits underwent extensive preparation for their new roles. The training included classroom and hands-on work, as well as mastering of policies, procedures, and skills needed to maintain safety and security at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica.

The training focused on topics such as implicit bias, mental health first aid, cognitive-behavioral theory, de-escalation and communication, first responder training, suicide prevention, and defensive tactics.

In addition, all 34 recruits spent time working with veteran members of the MSO team during their onthe-job training at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction.

Friday’s ceremony was the third graduation held by the MSO this year, with a total of 43 recruits graduating. To learn more about the MSO and career opportunities, visit middlesexsheriff.org/hr.

Mill City Grows awarded funds with goal to end hunger

LOWELL >> Mill City Grows, a local food justice and agriculture organization, was awarded the first of two annual installments of $30,000 through the “Moving the Needle” community investment program launched by Project Bread to address food insecurity.

The Moving the Needle grant will provide funding for the Community Food Partnership of Lowell, a local food policy council. The funding will support the group in increasing membership and visibility, hosting community forums for food advocacy, establishing a community kitchen, and breaking down barriers to accessing food benefits by doubling the number of registered SNAP Out

reach Partners in Lowell.

People experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to call Project Bread’s Foodsource Hotline at 800-645-8333. The hotline provides confidential assistance to connect with food resources, in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. For more information, visit projectbread.org/ get-help and millcitygrows.org.

Burlington ‘Wish Tree’ allows community to spread holiday cheer

BURLINGTON >> The Burlington Mall and the nonprofit, People Helping People, collaborated to give back this holiday season by placing a “Wish Tree” at the mall, located at 75 Middlesex Turnpike.

Shoppers can visit the Wish Tree, located on the mall’s upper level, and select a wish card submitted by a Burlington child in need. After purchasing the gift listed on the wish card, the item should be brought back unwrapped to the Wish Tree by Wednesday, Dec. 13. The granted wishes will then be handed out before the conclusion of the holidays.

People Helping People’s goal is to address the needs of those who find themselves in difficult financial circumstances and to establish a communitywide effort to help meet the basic needs of Burlington residents.

For more information, visit simon.com/ mall/burlington-mall.