Framingham 2020 Jim O’Connor Community Service Award Announced

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The winner of the 2020 Jim O’Connor Community Service Award has been announced as part of the lead up to the annual Salute to Framingham night coming up in March. This year, the honor goes to Jeff's Place, which provides support to families and children who have experienced a death or other loss.

Jeff's Places facilitates "healthy integration of loss by helping families feel connected with each other and less alone in their grief journey," the Salute to Framingham Committee said in a statement about the award. "They work to normalize the grieving process for children and teens by promoting peer-to-peer connections to lessen feeling alone, empower children and teens to recognize and cope with their varied feelings, build confidence and self-esteem through the development of trusting and empathic bonds, encourage laughter, play and fun and provide hope, healing, and meaningful growth for all whose lives we touch."

Jeff's Place started in 2010 with just a handful of clients. Today, the organization provides free counseling, educational training, and other support to over 550 people in 38 cities and towns across MetroWest.

The Jim O'Conner award is named for the founder of Salute to Framingham, and serves as a way to highlight community members and organizations that help local youth.

The committee announced the two honorees for the 28th annual Salute to Framingham event on Jan. 15. The award ceremony will be held on March 19 at the Sheraton Framingham. Proceeds go to the Framingham High School Foundation. You can find more details and purchase tickets on the foundation's website.