We are thrilled to congratulate our friends and clients, the Hendler brothers, co-owners of Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, on their selection as the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Manufacturer of the Year for Massachusetts. We not only support their efforts to bring small business values to our town but we also thoroughly enjoy their products. Congratulations Eric, Sam and Jack!
$5K MutualOne Foundation grant for Reed Academy sensory program
Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee, has announced a $5,000 grant to Reed Academy in Framingham to support the school’s sensory program for special needs students.
The award will help Reed Academy purchase special materials and equipment for its Sensory Educational Social Skills Development programming.
“We welcome this opportunity to help Reed Academy meet the diverse educational needs of its students and their families,” said Sousa, “and to play a role in providing activities designed to build student skills and confidence.”
Hamill named branch manager of MutualOne’s Natick office
Colm Hamill has been promoted to branch manager of MutualOne Bank’s Natick office, according to an announcement made today by Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer. In his new role, Hamill will be responsible for the administration and daily operations of the Main Street branch, including customer service, product sales, and security and safety.
Hamill joined MutualOne Bank as a senior personal banker in February of 2017, with prior financial services experience at Citizens Bank, TD Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank. Earlier in his career, he served as marketing manager and coach with Global Premier Soccer. He has also held coaching positions with Wellesley High School, Florida Fire Juniors youth soccer, the New England Futbol Club, and Boston Breakers Academy.
He holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Salford, both in the United Kingdom.
MutualOne Foundation awards $10K for free mental health care for seniors
Robert P. Lamprey, chairman of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation, announced today that the Foundation has awarded $10,000 to support a free mental health care program provided to Framingham and Natick senior citizens by Advocates, a Framingham-based nonprofit organization.
Advocates’ mental health clinic provided treatment to more than 2,500 Natick and Framingham seniors struggling with anxiety, loneliness, depression and other mental health issues last year, according to Diane E. Gould, president and CEO. The Foundation grant will enable Advocates to provide 120 hours of free mental health services to those seniors impacted by Medicare insurance restrictions, Gould said.
“This is a segment of our population that is frequently overlooked when it comes to mental health issues, and who may be particularly challenged by restrictions involving treatment coverage,” said Lamprey. “We are proud to be able to help Advocates help our seniors by providing the care they need.”
Natick planners meet to design a vibrant cultural downtown center
MutualOne Bank hosted a daylong session for members of the public to work on a Creative Placemaking Strategy and Plan. The event was organized by The Town of Natick and Natick Center Associates – managers of the Natick Center Cultural District. The project aims to engage Natick residents, business owners, and town staff in an ongoing public discussion about how spaces and landmarks in Natick Center can be activated through arts, culture, and design in culturally inclusive and accessible ways.
A collaboration between the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Natick’s Department of Community and Economic Development, and Natick Center Associates, the partners are holding a series of workshops and will be popping up at other Natick events throughout the spring and summer in order to engage the public in developing and executing a Natick Center Creative Placemaking demonstration project. At the completion of the project, the town will receive an action plan outlining actions for streamlining municipal policies and procedures pertaining to arts and culture in public places and spaces and recommendations of priority locations for continued Creative Placemaking activities through an enhanced schedule of installations, events and programs.
Building on a number of recently completed and ongoing planning projects, the Natick Center Creative Placemaking Initiative is supported and partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Placemaking knowledge building program, the American Planning Association, and Americans for the Arts.
MutualOne Foundation awards $9,735 to support new proactive public safety plan
Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee, has announced a Foundation grant of $9,735 to the Framingham Fire Department to help purchase public-access mass casualty kits to be made available in local schools for public use in emergency situations.
According to Chief of Department Joseph C. Hicks, the emergency medical kits will be strategically mounted throughout the public schools for immediate access, much like defibrillators. The kits will be available for immediate use by “civilians” before first responders arrive, Hicks said, and the Department has a goal to continue to place additional kits in the community. The department’s emergency medical services division will conduct a free training program in use of the materials as soon as they become available, he added.
“MutualOne is pleased to help the Fire Department put this new safety program into action,” said Haranas. “Having emergency medical kits available for instant access could potentially save lives in a matter of minutes, while help is on the way. We feel it is a wise investment to make for the safety of our students and the entire school population.”
