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Vinfen Staffer Speaks Out for Salary Equity at Rally
On June 6, human services advocacy group The Caring Force hosted its first-ever Merrimack Valley Rally at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill. The event brought together area legislators and representatives from human services organizations that operate in the region—including sponsoring agencies Advocates, Community Resources for Justice, Justice Resource Institute, NFI Massachusetts, The Key Program, Seven…
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Vinfen’s New Gateway Arts Program Opens in Brookline Village
July 8 was a momentous day for Vinfen and all the talented artists served by our Gateway Arts program, as New England’s largest center for artists with disabilities moved into its new location at 15 Station St. in Brookline and officially opened for business! Artists, elected officials, and nonprofit & business leaders—including Massachusetts Lt. Governor…
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Kim Shellenberger Honored by the Boston Center for Independent Living
Congratulations to Vinfen’s Chief Strategy Officer, Kim Shellenberger, who is one of three recipients of this year’s Marie Feltin Awards, given annually by the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL). Kim was honored during a virtual award ceremony held May 28 Each year, BCIL honors individuals who exemplify the spirit of the late Dr. Marie…
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Vinfen Artists Display Their Work at Massachusetts State House
From April 7-11, the creativity of more than 100 individuals served at Vinfen programs was on display at the State House, as the building’s fourth floor exhibit hall played host to an exhibition of amazing artwork. The exhibition consisted of 123 pieces of art, as brilliantly vivid and varied as the 118 artists who created…
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The 2025 Vinfen Film Festival: A Picture Perfect Day of Movie Magic
All the excitement of a glitzy and glamorous Hollywood premiere could be found at GBH Studios in Boston on Saturday, March 15, as Vinfen proudly welcomed nearly 400 filmgoers to the 18th Annual Film Festival. Vinfen’s signature event uses the power of film to raise awareness, educate our community, and fight prejudice and discrimination often…
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Mikiel Peratino Receives Vinfen’s 2024 Peer Leadership Award
Each year, Vinfen presents a special Peer Leadership Award to recognize the outstanding achievements of a staff member with lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use challenge who has made significant contributions to the organization and peer movement. We are thrilled to announce that the recipient of the 2024 Peer Leadership Award is…
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Vinfen Hosts 17th Annual Family Celebration
On October 24, more than 350 members of the extended Vinfen community came together for Vinfen’s 17th Annual Family Celebration. The event’s theme was “The Power of Partnerships,” and the special evening recognized the achievements of exceptional Vinfen staff, the creative talents of a number of persons we support, and the important role families play…
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Inside the Corner Office with Jean Yang
The New England Council launched “Inside the Corner Office” as a virtual event series in 2021. The series features monthly virtual conversations with the chief executive (CEO, President, or Executive Director) of an NEC member company or organization. NEC President & CEO Jim Brett serves as the moderator of these programs. The purpose of the…
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Vinfen’s Brain Injury Community Center Becomes Clubhouse 2422
On Friday, June 7, Vinfen’s Brain Injury Community Center (BICC)—a Somerville program dedicated to assisting individuals with acquired and traumatic brain injuries in learning new skills and fostering independence—hosted an Open House, Open Doors event that welcomed members, community supporters, and neighbors to learn more about the program and its services. Visitors had the chance…
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Vinfen Heads to Beacon Hill for The 12th Annual Caring Force Rally!
Each spring, members of Massachusetts’ human services community—professionals, individuals receiving services and their families, and supporters—come together from all corners of the Commonwealth to assemble at the State House and let their voices be heard by those in power. On May 22, close to 400 members of The Caring Force—a statewide advocacy organization for human…
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Vinfen Proudly Participates in NAMIWalks Massachusetts 2024
On Saturday, May 18, 125 members of the Vinfen community took to the Boston Common to join others from across the state in fighting stigma and supporting programs for individuals with mental health conditions at NAMIWalks Massachusetts 2024. Nearly 1,600 walkers gathered at the Parkman Bandstand for this popular annual event hosted by the Massachusetts…
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It’s A Wrap on The 17th Annual Vinfen Film Festival!
With its torrential rains and howling winds, Saturday, March 23 was perhaps the ideal day to be sitting in a darkened theater, watching the magic of the movies come to life. And that’s exactly what an assembled crowd of nearly 300 people did at GBH Studios in Boston, as Vinfen proudly hosted our organization’s 17th…
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Vinfen, Gateway Artist Featured on GBH Digital Mural
Looming large over the Massachusetts Turnpike, high above GBH Studios, stretches the building’s iconic digital mural. Measuring 30 feet by 45 feet, this giant solar powered mural is designed to delight commuters with a daily theme that is meant to provoke thought, inspire curiosity, and reflect the content and values of public media. On Saturday,…
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Andrea Bennett Receives Vinfen’s 2023 Peer Leadership Award
At Vinfen, we value those with lived experience as vital members of our community-based, residential, and clubhouse teams. While we encourage those with lived experience to apply for all positions, the role of peer specialist has been specifically designed to help people use their lived experience in the most constructive way possible to inspire independence…
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Middlesex County Restoration Center Pilot Advances with Selection of Clinical Provider
Vinfen to provide behavioral health, substance use disorder services for pilot program BOSTON (Jan. 23, 2024) – Today, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, on behalf of the Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission, announced it has taken another significant step forward in its pilot for the state’s first law enforcement focused crisis diversion…
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![State investment this year helped, but didn’t solve, long waiting lists at programs for people with complex disabilities [The Boston Globe]](https://vinfen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Boston-Globe_1-11-24_3.jpg)
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State investment this year helped, but didn’t solve, long waiting lists at programs for people with complex disabilities [The Boston Globe]
By Jason Laughlin Globe Staff, Updated January 1, 2024, 4:23 p.m. Betsy Bourne wears a back brace after helping her son Tyler walk from his electric chair to his recliner where he will spend the majority of the day in Centerville, Mass.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF MASHPEE — Hundreds of people with developmental disabilities have finally…
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VINFEN PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL HOMELESS PERSONS MEMORIAL SERVICE
On Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, Cape Cod residents gathered to remember people that died in 2023 who were experiencing homelessness, or had at some point in their lives. Each year, the Cape Cod Council of Churches organizes the Homeless Persons Memorial Service at the First Baptist Church of Hyannis. For the…
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VINFEN EXPANDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES IN LOWELL WITH OPENING OF VARNUM AVENUE LOCATION
Lowell, MA – On December 4, Vinfen welcomed local healthcare and elected officials to celebrate the opening of an expanded Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) in Lowell. A leading provider of community-based services for people with mental health conditions, behavioral health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injuries, Vinfen is a long-standing advocate for…