Gardner Community Action Team (GCAT)

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The Gardner Community Action Team (GCAT) 

is a community coalition that coordinates substance use prevention efforts in the City of Gardner. 

Our mission is to increase the health and wellness of the Gardner community by reducing youth substance use and enhancing its protective factors while reversing or reducing risk factors.

The Gardner Community Action Team (GCAT) is comprised of residents, business owners, public officials, city employees and stakeholders all of which come together to make up the city of Gardner.

These coalition members work closely with all of its community partners to coordinate, plan and implement activities and learning opportunities for the community as a whole. These activities and learning opportunities include, but are not limited to, multi-media marketing campaigns, community and school educational programs and events, town hall events, conferences and health fairs.


Programs offered by GCAT

Training Active Bystander (TAB) – TAB is a way to analyze harm doing situation and assist participants in discovering the positive power of bystanders.

Game Changers - Resiliency skills building workshop for High School students 

Escape The Vape - Hands on interactive activity that teaches the students about harmful effects of vaping 

Guiding Good Choices –Guiding Good Choices (GGC) is a family competency training program for parents of children in middle school that gives parents the skills needed to reduce their children’s risk for using alcohol and other drugs


GCAT partnering organization 


Organization/Group NameContact Person Link to information Type of Organization/GroupFocus
GCAT Veronika Pattyhttps://www.facebook.com/GardnerGCATCommunity CoalitionSubstance Use Prevention 
Voices of TruthBernice Richardhttps://www.voicesoftruthcenter.orgOrganization/Faith basedDomestic Violence
Gardner Domestic Violence Task ForceBernice Richardhttps://www.facebook.com/GardnerDomesticViolenceTaskForceOrganization/Faith basedDomestic Violence Awareness
Alyssa's PlaceAlexa Perivolotishttps://www.alyssasplace.org/Peer Recovery CenterSubstance Use
AdCareJaci Cavaiolijcavaioli@adcare.comCommunity ServicesSubstance Use Treatment
Recovery Centers of AmericaTara Riverahttps://recoverycentersofamerica.com/Inpatient addiction treatmentSubstance Use Disorder Treatment
United Way Youth VentureLauren Mountainhttps://uwyv.mwcc.eduYouth SupportCivic entrepreneurship
Mount Wachusett Community CollegeSharmese Gunnhttps://mwcc.edu/academics/k-12/programs/gateway/Community College Education for youth
Healthy Families North Worcester Karen Culkeenhttps://www.carecentralvnahospice.org/
Home visiting Parent Education and support
GPS / Heywood HospitalRenee Eldredgehttp://www.gardnerk12.org/DocumentCenter/View/6352/School-Based-Care-Coordination-ServicesPublic SchoolCare coordination / Community healthworker
GPS / Heywood HospitalRenee Eldredgehttps://www.heywood.org/about-us/community-benefitLocal area hospitalCare coordination / Community healthworker
GAAMHAMichelle Dunnhttps://www.facebook.com/gaamhainc/Substance Use Disorder ServicesResidential treatment/ Housing/ Community services
The AED Foundation Michelle Dunnhttps://facebook.com/aedfoundationSubstance Use Disorder Assistance/education
LUK PreventionLiz Benardhttps://www.facebook.com/LUKPreventionSubstance Use PreventionSubstance Use Prevention 
The AED Foundation Michelle Dunnhttps://facebook.com/aedfoundationSubstance Use Disorder Assistance/education
Joint Coalition HealthSusan Buchholzhttps://www.facebook.com/Joint-Coalition-on-Health-345517582509386/Community CoalitionSocial Determinants of Health
Facing Additiction in Fitchburg and BeyondTara Riverahttps://www.facebook.com/FacingAddictionInFitchburgAndBeyond/Community CoalitionSUD Advocacy 
Community Health Network for North Central MA (CHNA 9)Chelsey Patriss https://chna9.com/
Community Coalition Health Equity
First Congregational Church of GardnerSue Raderhttps://www.facebook.com/First-Congregational-Church-Gardner-MAReligiousServing our community
Heywood HealthcareMichael Ellishttps://www.facebook.com/HeywoodHospitalGardner/HealthcareNorth Central MA