NORTHAMPTON — The Northwestern district attorney’s office this month announced $114,000 in grants to community groups working with youth and families and supporting people in recovery, as part of its Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program.

Funds for the grants come from asset forfeitures through which the office redistributes funds seized in drug-related cases. Funds are distributed to community organizations working on drug rehabilitation, drug education and other anti–drug programs that aim to foster healthy communities and support law enforcement efforts to prevent crime.

“There are so many ways to build resilience in our communities even during trying times,” said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan in a statement. 

The top awards of $20,000 each went to the North Quabbin Recovery Center in Athol and the Recovery Center of Hope in Ware, serving the Quaboag Hills Region.

“We wanted to give an extra boost to the newer peer recovery centers in the region, which are not yet fully funded by the state as are the Recover Project in Greenfield and the Northampton Recovery Center. We know from experience that peer-focused recovery centers provide essential support to help people in recovery continue on that journey,” said Sullivan.

The Northampton and Greenfield recovery centers also received grants of $5,000 each. The Northampton center, in its earliest years, was supported by the district attorney’s office through staff time and funding until it became part of the network of state-funded recovery centers.

Other groups to receive funding include prevention coalitions focused on supporting healthy youth development, as well as other youth serving organizations and community groups.

■ Receiving $4,000 each were: South Hadley Prevention Coalition; Northampton Prevention Coalition; Easthampton Healthy Youth Coalition; Greenfield 4SC; Belchertown Boat; and Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Program. The grants will support a variety of projects, including pre-prom education supporting healthy decision making, vaping prevention activities and a youth performance troupe that focuses on recovery support.

■The following groups received $7,500 each: Big Brother/Big Sisters of both Hampshire and Franklin counties; the Athol YMCA; and Community Action Youth Programs.

■ Receiving $5,000 each were: Soldier On, to support services of the Veterans Treatment Court, and Trauma Informed Hampshire County.

— James Pentland  ]]>