Today, Open Sky proudly joined the Caring Force Rally at the Massachusetts State House!
Our team had the opportunity to connect directly with legislators and advocate for the essential work of human services professionals across the Commonwealth. We’re grateful to stand alongside passionate advocates working to ensure that those who support our communities receive the recognition, resources, and support they deserve.
Thank you to @TheCaringForce for bringing voices together and amplifying the importance of human services. Together, we’re making an impact!
#CaringForce #HumanServices #Advocacy #CaringForceRally
New training now available! Build a strong foundation in DBT with our DBT Foundation & Framework series.
Learn more: https://bridgetraininginstitute.givecloud.co/product/DBT-Overview-2025-2026/dbt-foundation-and-framework-with-elizabeth-korchari-lmhc-on-friday-june-19-2026-from-100-500pm
Supporting youth mental health is a shared responsibility. Families, schools, healthcare providers, and communities all play a role in early identification and support.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/helping-someone #SeeThePerson #MHAM2026
At Open Sky, nurses play a vital role in supporting whole-person health. This #NationalNursesWeek, we’re grateful for the compassion, dedication, and expertise nurses bring every day.
💙 Thank you!
Open Sky had an inspiring day at the @WorcesterChamber Women’s Leadership Conference with 💼✨
From powerful keynotes by Debra Searle & Dr. Natalie Nixon to meaningful connections with 700+ women, we were reminded: when women support women, we all rise. 💜
📸 @raymond.media.productions
Mental health conditions are medical conditions and people living with them are more than a diagnosis. This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, let’s lead with understanding.
Learn more: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health #SeeThePerson #MHAM2026
We are thrilled to welcome Derrick Bonnah to Open Sky as our new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Manager! Derrick joins us at an exciting time and will help further strengthen our commitment to building a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and truly belongs.
As DEIB Manager, Derrick will focus on:
- Partnering with teams to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives
- Supporting staff learning, dialogue, and growth around DEIB topics
- Collaborating on policies, practices, and systems that promote fairness and accessibility
- Serving as a resource for staff and leadership on DEIB‑related questions and opportunities
- Helping strengthen a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging at Open Sky
🎉 Celebrating one incredible month with Nikki Erskine at @ValleyCAST and Open Sky!
Nikki brings more than 20 years of experience supporting the creative economy through leadership roles in arts administration, cultural development, events, grants, and communications. Most recently, she served as Special Projects Manager with the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, leading arts communications initiatives, managing major grant programs, and helping secure significant public and private funding for cultural projects.
A longtime leader in the local arts community, Nikki has also held key roles with stART on the Street, co-hosted WICN Public Radio’s Culture Beat, and currently supports artists and arts organizations through her consulting practice, EASEL.
Nikki has many relationships and partnerships throughout Central MA which are vital for the ongoing work of ValleyCAST and Open Sky to bring inclusive arts and culture activities and events to our communities for all to enjoy! She is an artist herself and has vast experience in curating and hanging gallery shows.
We’re thrilled to have Nikki on our team and look forward to the vision and collaborative leadership she will bring to ValleyCAST.
Valley Friendship Tour is right around the corner on June 6th! Here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from last year.
🔗 Register and start fundraising at: openskycs.org/vft
On Saturday, staff from Open Sky's Crisis Intervention Team-Training and Technical Assistance Center (CIT-TTAC) attended Shrewsbury Police Department’s 4th Annual Autism Acceptance event.
This was a great opportunity to connect with the community and share information about our work!
About CIT:
CIT is designed as a collaborative partnership between:
- Law enforcement
- Mental health professionals
- Behavioral health advocates (e.g., mental illness, developmental disability, substance use disorder/addiction)
Together, we develop and sustain a compassionate crisis response system that effectively helps individuals in crisis access support and resources, rather than place them in the criminal justice system. Learn more at /services/cit.html
