The meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom.
Watch for an email from the Club for Zoom access and
please note we use a recurring ID for your convenience.
Meeting will be at the Golf Club of Avon
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
Rotarians Present: 36 (including 2 on Zoom)
Visiting Rotarians:
Guests:Dami Singh (Potential Member)
Happy Dollars: $60
Raffle Winner:Chris Lamadrid ($40 Prize)
Fines:None today.
Birthdays
None Today
Happy Dollars
Lauren Gardner is happy to share the wonderful news that she is 14 weeks pregnant!!!
Yvonne Gardner is equally happy that she is going to be a grandmother. She also noted that this her 4th anniversary of being a Rotarian.
Chris Lamadrid shared that it was her son's 52 birthday and marveled at how she could have a son that old. She was also very happy and grateful for how well her laproscopic surgery went and how quickly she has been able to recover.
Gary Miller was glad that Lauren finally announced her pregnancy as he had been too much of gentlemen to walk up to her and comment on her baby bump. He also noted that his 2nd great grandchild was born on the 14th. Still hasn't met her as she is always asleep when he visits.
Phil Ferrari is going to CA to see his son and daughter-in-law who have just moved into a new house.
Bob Cave will be traveling to Charleston, SC to visit a grandchild. He also noted tha 6 Rotarians helped at Loaves and Fishes yesterday. He would like to build a roster of folks willing to help so that he can call on substitutes if someone can't make it.
Peter Vignati is glad to see that the trees are in bloom. He recommend that we go to see the Tulip Garden in Elizabeth Park and that they have been able to go on their first bike ride of the season.
Awards
Announcements
President Luke wants everyone to make an effort to attend next weeks special club day. It will have some distinguished guests. He asked that we try and wear blue and gold as well as our medallions.
Calendar
June 7 - President's Dinner at the Golf Club of Avon
June 26 - Seniors' Luncheon at the Canton Community Center
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Awards
None this week.
Community and International Service Grants
None this week.
The Underground New England
ELori Blackburn, Amy Hayashida, Nadine Thomas
Please welcome Rev. Nadine Thomas. Dr. Thomas joined the Underground NE as the new Executive Director last December. She has a rich background in church and ministry management in Jamaica and the United States. She has managed and consulted with several organizations focused on leadership development training for nonprofit leaders focused on restructuring and start-up processes. She has led teams focused on trauma -informed care to survivors of domestic and systemic violence and abuse, and other social justice causes
Amy Hayashida is the program director for the Underground NE. From a background in biochemistry, marketing, and artisan baking, she leaped into volunteering with organizations fighting poverty and exploitation. Amy currently oversees survivor services, trains mentor teams, and advocates for survivors. She believes that healing begins with a community and seeks to build a safe and supportive community around every survivor Underground New England serves.
Also with us this morning is Lori Blackburn who serves as the organization's Community Engagement and Development Coordinator.
Underground NE exists to support survivors and end human trafficking in New England and Beyond. They shared with us the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSRcjWgSCCs
Trafficking occurs across the state, often within families. Cases reported to DCF doubled post-2020, now over 300 annually, as traffickers exploit vulnerabilities online. UNE provides survivor-centered support through four phases: immediate needs assistance; long-term stabilization; addressing underlying trauma; and independent living. Mentors spend over 1,000 hours annually with clients to rebuild lives. Trafficking occurs across the state, often within families. Cases reported to DCF doubled post-2020, now over 300 annually, as traffickers exploit vulnerabilities online. Trafficking occurs across the state, often within families. Cases reported to DCF doubled post-2020, now over 300 annually, as traffickers exploit vulnerabilities online. Victims often experience homelessness, debt, substance abuse, and poor mental/physical health due to severe trauma. Traffickers isolate and control victims through financial abuse, restricted movement, and scripted communication. Recognition is challenging as trafficking affects all demographics and communities. Survivors suffer nearly all adverse health impacts listed, usually concurrently. Trafficking causes complex trauma, hindering independent functioning even years post-exploitation. Support is critical to help survivors process trauma and regain control of their lives. UNE's wraparound services include crisis housing/support, long-term case management, mental/medical care, job training, and community integration. A personalized mentorship approach aims to meet survivors' holistic needs for up to two years until independent living is possible. Volunteer roles include event staffing, education, administrative support, and driving/housing clients. Financial donations of $10,000-$15,000 cover initial stabilization costs per survivor. Partnerships are needed to combat trafficking through awareness, prevention and survivor advocacy.
Special Announcements
If you missed the Taste of the Valley, you missed a great time!!!
Mail Bag
None this week.
Photo Credits
Photos by Gary Miller and Larry Haber
Technology Credits
Zoom platform management expertise by Mike Mezheritskiy.
Editor's Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as early as possible. Please note that some editions may be published and distributed as early as the Saturday following our meetings, and during those weeks further contributions to the Early Riser will be included in the subsequent week's edition.
“The FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do”:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
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Please welcome Rev. Nadine Thomas. Dr. Thomas joined the Underground NE as the new Executive Director last December. She has a rich background in church and ministry management in Jamaica and the United States. She has managed and consulted with several organizations focused on leadership development training for nonprofit leaders focused on restructuring and start-up processes. She has led teams focused on trauma -informed care to survivors of domestic and systemic violence and abuse, and other social justice causes
Amy Hayashida is the program director for the Underground NE. From a background in biochemistry, marketing, and artisan baking, she leaped into volunteering with organizations fighting poverty and exploitation. Amy currently oversees survivor services, trains mentor teams, and advocates for survivors. She believes that healing begins with a community and seeks to build a safe and supportive community around every survivor Underground New England serves.
Also with us this morning is Lori Blackburn who serves as the organization's Community Engagement and Development Coordinator.
