For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

EB HOPE Receives Grant from Bridgewater Savings Bank

EAST BRIDGEWATER – Police Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that East Bridgewater Help Outreach Prevention Education initiative (EB HOPE) has received a $2,310 grant from the Bridgewater Savings Bank Charitable Foundation to fund research and evaluation tools for the nonprofit.

The grant will allow EB HOPE to purchase three tablet computers that will be used during Drop In Center Hours to gather data about the program’s participants and follow up with those that seek help. Two professors from Roger Williams University will assist EB HOPE in data analysis and program assessment, a goal of the program since its inception last November.

“We are incredibly thankful to Bridgewater Savings Bank for their generosity and support of EB HOPE, both now and in past years,” Chief Allen said. “Because of their gifts, we are currently helping families that Bridgewater Savings Bank serves, creating a mutually beneficial partnership centered around the well-being of our community.”

In November 2015, EB HOPE began the first of its bi-monthly drop-in center sessions, which were created to proactively assist people suffering from substance use disorders and their family and friends.

The next drop-in center will be held this Thursday, July 21, from 5-9 p.m. at the East Bridgewater Community Covenant Church, 400 Pleasant St.

Since the first meeting on Nov. 5, a total of 324 people have been assisted through the drop-in sessions or non drop-in hours. Of that number, 68 individuals have seen a licensed clinician and 101 have received Narcan training from licensed professionals during drop-in hours. Nearly 250 family members and/or loved ones of persons suffering from substance user disorders have also been assisted by EB HOPE.

“An astounding number of people in our communities are suffering from substance use disorder,” said Bridgewater Savings CEO James C. Lively. “The work that Susan Silva, EB HOPE President and Executive Director, and the East Bridgewater Police Department provide is invaluable to those in need. We at Bridgewater Savings strive to help our communities by supporting programs such as this that help those suffering from opioid addiction and their families and friends that share their burden.”

About EB HOPE:

EB HOPE is a nonprofit volunteer organization that launched in 2011. It is a collaboration of members from the community, including police, school department personnel, town government, drug treatment and recovery members, the clergy and residents suffering from substance abuse and/or their family members.

Substance abuse assistance and resources provided by the program include bi-monthly meetings, information on the availability of mental health services, training on the use of nasal Naloxone (Narcan), referral and access to treatment services, family education and support, and faith-based intervention and support.

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