The Mutual Aid Society of Haverhill, otherwise known as MASH, is busy helping Haverhill residents dealing with lifestyle changes due to the coronavirus.
Appearing live over 97.9 WHAV FM Friday morning, Anthony Parolisi explained how the effort came together and how it uses the city’s 3-1-1 call center to link residents with needs with those who can help.
“We started reaching out to other groups like the Latino Coalition, Greater Haverhill Indivisible, The Merrimack Valley Project, the YMCA, Haverhill Educational Coalition and even the mayor’s office and other groups, have been collaborating with us since we got the ball rolling, and it’s just taken on a life of its own. We’re just trying to connect neighbors in need to neighbors who can help.”
Parolisi says volunteers often do grocery shopping for homebound residents, and sometimes just “check in” for conversations with people who, otherwise, don’t have anyone else to talk with. The best way for Haverhill residents to get help, or volunteer, is by calling 3-1-1. Additional information is at CityOfHaverhill.com, where residents may click on the 3-1-1 box, and select either the box to receive help, or for volunteers.
As of yesterday, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini, said the city had a spike of 46 new cases—the increase being attributed to greater testing at nursing homes—for a total of 454 cases. Of the total, 90 are among residents of long-term care centers. There have been nine Haverhill deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Parolosi, who is also president of the Haverhill Education Association, said the Haverhill Mutual Aid Society was modeled after similar community groups in Somerville and Brookline.
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