SAFE Gala Highlights Group’s Reach to 55 Communities
Jacob Haendel, keynote speaker at the SAFE Gala, co-creator of the podcast Blink, (www.blinkthepodcast.com), spoke, and stood, briefly, before a sold-out audience of 400.
By Judith Dorato O’Gara
“This night is incredible. It is a highlight of the year for us at the SAFE Coalition, and we know that so many community members have been impacted by substance abuse, and tonight we get to honor those we have lost and celebrate the opportunity our community has to honor (them) and provide education and recovery,” said Jennifer Knight-Levine, co-founder and CEO of the SAFE Coalition, which held its third annual fundraising gala on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at the Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro. The event, which included a live auction emceed by Ken Cosco, met its fundraising goal of $200,000
“We’re pleased so many people are here to support such an incredible cause,” said Dr. Anne Bergen, President of the SAFE board of directors, prior to the dinner, “SAFE is such an important organization in our community. We really have to do something about the mental health epidemic. It’s not going away, and SAFE is on the front lines.”
Many attended from the local community to support the cause.
“I’m here because of what this organization is doing and has done since its inception,” said Rep. Jeff Roy at the event, present years ago when Jennifer Knight and Jim Levine were pondering how to tackle substance use disorder in the Franklin community. “To think that that small group of people turned into what we are seeing here tonight, 400 people coming, and all the lives they’ve saved and the support they’ve provided to the community … and now SAFE is supporting 55 communities,” said Roy.
Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staiti was also among supporters at the SAFE Gala. “They do a great job in Franklin and surrounding communities in the county, and I always want to try to support them any way I can,” said Staiti, who added that the Norfolk County Commissioner’s office recently was able to give SAFE a $1,500 award as part of the opioid settlement.
Dr. Anne Bergen opened the event, honoring the memories of those who struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse disorder who have passed on and introducing SAFE COO Carrie Asprinio, who told her personal story, addressing the need to reduce stigma surrounding sexual and physical abuse even among those in the recovery.
Jim Derick followed, pointing out that, “We at SAFE know that when an individual or a family is impacted by substance abuse or mental health challenges, the entire family is impacted.” Derick then awarded the Jeffrey N. Roy Excellence in Community Service Award to Bill Fox.
Keynote speaker Jacob Haendel, co-creator of the podcast Blink, and sole survivor of a rare brain disease usually caused by inhaling the fumes from heroin heated on aluminum foil, moved the audience with his account of his experience, which included18 months of Locked-in Syndrome, which, he said, caused him to shift perspective.
“I’m speaking to you as a guy who is in chronic pain in a wheelchair, and I’m so much happier than I was back then…,” said Haendel, who now appreciates “little things” he took for granted.
After an impact video focusing on teen Sarah Bakas, Knight-Levine explained how SAFE now reaches 55 communities, with diversion programs in 19 schools and communities, Narcan training sessions in 44 communities and public presentations in 31 communities. She highlighted SAFE’s many offerings, among them 1:1 peer support, clinical support, and support groups. Prior to the speaking portion of the program, Knight-Levine told Local Town Pages about a recent grant from Community Health Systems and upcoming plans for that funding. “That means we can close off the space and create a real teen center. We’ll run after-school programs and weekend programs, and this will be peer-to-peer support.,” she said.
SAFE publicly thanks its major gala sponsors, listed here:
Champion Sponsors: Direct Federal Credit Union, Healthy KP Substance Use Prevention Coalition, Lampasona Concrete; Advocate Sponsors: Eversource Energy, Plainridge Park Casino, The Sacchetti Family, Sentient Jet; Ally Sponsors: 1776 Financial Services, Arbella Insurance Foundation; In-Kind Donors: Allegra Franklin – Marketing & Print Solutions, Earth and Sun Co., Franklin TV, Hope in Handfuls, Jaqueline-Gundberg Photography, Lakeview Pavilion, Only Prettier Design, Revelation Productions, The Candle Man, Unique Melody Events & Design, Vicario Studio.
For information on the SAFE Coalition, visit https://www.safecoalitionma.org.
