WESTFIELD – Forum House, a program for people with mental health conditions that was established in Westfield in 1988, will host an open house from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 at its 55 Broad St. location to celebrate 30 years of work in the Westfield community.Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Phelon are scheduled to speak around 2 p.m., and at 4 p.m. the formal speaker lineup will begin. State Rep. John Velis (D–Westfield) is also expected to be at the open house for 5 p.m., when the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival Committee presents a check for $10,000 to Forum House and River Valley Counseling Center in Holyoke. There will also be tours, a slide show, food, a silent auction, and member art for sale.
Peter Langmore, chairman of the GLSF Committee, said the non-profit organization is pleased to make the donation. Over the last 25 years, more than $200,000 has been donated from the GLSF to support local non-profit organizations.
“We recognize that these two organizations provide vital services and support for their clients and wisely utilize all of the financial support provided by the festival,” Langmore said. “Both of these organizations have supported the festival over a period of many years by providing volunteers to run both the gate and the Celtic Pub. Without this volunteer help, we would not be able to hold the festival. The festival is extremely grateful for the support of Forum House and River Valley Counseling Center.”
Forum House is an employment and recovery center that focuses on supporting people to get back to involvement in their communities. It serves around 200 people annually and has more than 1,100 lifetime members.
“We all need to feel that we have skills and abilities; like we have a place where we are accepted and can contribute,” said Forum House Director Sally English. “For many of our members, mental health conditions have led to isolation, interruptions in work or school, and loss of confidence. Forum offers a place where people can come and use their skills, or build new ones; where they can develop a community that supports them in pursuing their personal goals.”
For more information, go to www.hru.org/site/services/forum-house/.
