HOLYOKE — The City of Holyoke seeks Holyoke residents (18+ years old) to serve on a volunteer Citizens Opioid Advisory Committee (COAC) overseen by the Office for Community Development to review grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Mayor.
Up to nine members will be selected. Committee members should live, stay, or otherwise have a strong connection to the City as the Committee will be making decisions that affect all Holyokers.
The COAC is an opportunity to actively participate in local government, and to make meaningful decisions regarding the use of opioid litigation settlement funds awarded to the city. Mayor Joshua A. Garcia seeks community members who have personal or lived experience with opioid use or substance use disorders including those actively using opioids, those in recovery, those with family members impacted by opioid use disorder, those who have experienced a loss associated with opioid use disorder and young adults.
COAC members will meet in the evening approximately three times per year depending on the grant cycles. Training and professional staff support will be provided. Committee members will be required to complete the Massachusetts State Ethics Training Program (free, online) prior to serving and comply with applicable City of Holyoke policies and procedures.
Those interested are asked to mail or email a letter of interest and resume (if available) to Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, City of Holyoke, Room 1, 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke MA 01040 or by email to fays@holyoke.org describing:
(1) Your experience with opioid/substance use disorder;
(2) Why you would like to serve on the COAC
(3) Your connections to the City of Holyoke
Other ways to apply will be made available if requested. Apply by October 1, 2025.
For additional information: https://www.holyoke.org/opioid-response/