Henry Brill

Poetry written by a participant for A2CF Talent Show

I Am

I am gay, aroflux, and allosexual. I am proud, I am Jewish with an Israeli ancestry and connections. A victim of anti-semitism and anti Zionism. Had to hide my identity to protect my life We have the right to practice any religion. I have Middle Eastern ancestry. I am of mixed ancestry. I am a proud American Israeli. I am a proud Benjaminite. I have Down Syndrome, a victim of ableism, I only see my abilities. I am a victim of xenophobia, ancestry and national origin discrimination, and out casted I have Volhynian ancestry. I am an American Volhynian. A direct descendant of the Volhynian tribe, descended of those from Kievan Rus, Antes tribal polity, Buzhans/Dulebes tribal unions, Drevlians tribe, Serverians tribe/confederation, and Zeruiani tribe The Israelites from ancient Israel. The tribe of Ben from ancient Israel. I am a grand nephew of 15 immigrants, and grand cousin of 13 immigrants. Some were survivors and victims of the pogroms in Eastern Europe, a distant cousin of Israelis and Ukrainians I am a great-grandson of Polish-Israeli immigrants Who are 1939 invasion survivors.

Poetry written by a participant for A2CF Talent Show

A Butterfly

Wings never broken, Fragile but sweet, A beauty struck by life, What am I without my wife? It’s quiet stillness, But who would be my witness? Shutter with kindness, Mindfulness, If only we could rewind. Is it a bind? Am I allowed to whine? Or am I stuck? Surely, I’m out of luck. My butterfly I hope one day you can flutter on by.

Brennan McDonnell

Yoga Night

On Sat. March 14th, 2026 Access to Community and Friendship members were excited to show up at the Easter Seals Non-Profit Center for an evening of fun, food, friendship, & monthly birthday celebrations. We did some Yoga, Stretching and Sensory exercises. The activities were led by a Certified Fitness Instructor followed by some Mindfulness and Creative Visualization by a Parent Volunteer & Wellness Specialist.

They were both so nice. Thank you! I was hesitant to try Yoga, but on this night, I’m really happy I did!

Surprisingly, 100% of the participants chose, ‘Adaptive Chair Yoga’ & enjoyed a new way to do the exercises with the added benefit of being able to practice these anti-stress techniques anywhere, anytime, & apply them to everyday stressful situations. Definitely looking forward to reconnecting with this group when we next meet on Sat. April 11th for Taco night in Somerville.

Yoga Night

On Sat. March 14th, 2026 Access to Community and Friendship members were excited to show up at the Easter Seals Non-Profit Center for an evening of fun, food, friendship, & monthly birthday celebrations. We did some Yoga, Stretching and Sensory exercises.

The activities were led by a Certified Fitness Instructor followed by some Mindfulness and Creative Visualization by a Parent Volunteer & Wellness Specialist.

They were both so nice. Thank you! I was hesitant to try Yoga, but on this night, I’m really happy I did!

Surprisingly, 100% of the participants chose, ‘Adaptive Chair Yoga’ & enjoyed a new way to do the exercises with the added benefit of being able to practice these anti-stress techniques anywhere, anytime, & apply them to everyday stressful situations. Definitely looking forward to reconnecting with this group when we next meet on Sat. April 11th for Taco night in Somerville.

Valentines Day Party

The 2026 access to community and friendship Valentine’s Day celebration was a very nice time. At some of our events we not only have social time where we Also do a special activities together. But, this event was not any sort of special activity, it was just a good old social time where there was music and dancing and chit chatting with your friends.For dinner that night we had delicious, yummy Italian food. There were about 3 or 4 different Italian dishes to choose from I don’t remember what all of them were. But the ones that I had were Mac and cheese in ziti and sausage or something I also had some great Caesar salad that night. For something new and interesting to add to this event One of our participants was making a couple of different types of great mocktails. At one table at this event. One of the best things that came out of this event for me is that I was able to have a very insightful, very thought provoking conversation with another participant about our disabilities. That being said in no way shape or form in a bad way. We also had some great desserts that night all around it was just a feel good event .

Matt Murphy

Paint Night

On January 10, 2026, we went to Paint Night. Our group was busy painting our own pictures based on all the ideas we had. We had so much fun creating and watching what everyone else was making. After we finished, we shared our paintings with each other. They looked amazing and unique! Each piece was different, reflecting our own styles. It was a fantastic night filled with laughter and sharing our art. I loved it so much that I ended up doing a second painting! Time flew by, and I can’t wait to do it again!

Marina Shelton

marina.shelto @comcast.net

Flannel Night Blurb

On October 25 2025, Access2Community gathered with a group of people with and without disabilities for a night of pure fun! Not everyone in the world accepts people with disabilities, but with Access2Community, I really feel included in all sorts of different activities! During flannel Night, they had a DJ who played awesome music, and there was plenty of time and space to dance altogether! They also had plenty of refreshments, including pizza, a variety of sodas, little sandwiches, cakes, cookies, and brownies. It was so much fun to see everyone in their different flannels! Of course when everyone was there, after awhile it got so hot that we had to take our flannels off, but of course put them back on before we left. I’m not used to having the opportunity to go out and do things with friends on my own, but It was so great having everyone together!

Elizabeth Gray

Bingo Night

In Mid September Access 2 Community and Friendship had there 2nd Annual BINGO Night. It was very successful with about 40 young adults participating. This is a very popular event and everyone had a lot of fun. As part of the leadership team at A2CF participants got to meet new people in the group, which to me is the reason why we created this non-profit. There was pizza and a ton of different prizes for the winners of the BINGO games and extras for those who didn’t win. We had commercial breaks between the games where participants did a 30 second commercial. It was a really fun add onto the great night.