NORTHAMPTON — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has announced $114,000 in grants to community groups working with youth and families and supporting people in recovery, as part of its Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program.

Funds for the grants come from asset forfeitures through which the office redistributes funds seized in drug-related cases. The money is given to community organizations working on drug rehabilitation, drug education and other anti-drug programs that aim to foster healthy communities and support law enforcement efforts to prevent crime.

“There are so many ways to build resilience in our communities even during trying times,” Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said in a statement.

The top awards of $20,000 each went to the North Quabbin Recovery Center in Athol and the Recovery Center of Hope in Ware, serving the Quaboag Hills region.

“We wanted to give an extra boost to the newer peer recovery centers in the region, which are not yet fully funded by the state as are The RECOVER Project in Greenfield and the Northampton Recovery Center,” Sullivan said. “We know from experience that peer-focused recovery centers provide essential support to help people in recovery continue on that journey.”

The Northampton and Greenfield centers received $5,000 each. The Northampton center, in its earliest years, was supported by the DA’s office through staff time and funding until it became part of the network of state-funded recovery centers…[continue reading]