Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion

11/25/2025

On tonight's episode, you'll learn about the Agency with Choice (AWC) program, which allows a family and individuals to self-direct their services by hiring 1:1 staffing.

Did you know that Plymouth County Family Support, Inc. is qualified to provide Agency with Choice (AWC) services?

Learn more about it on tonight’s episode of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion, tonight at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM!

AWC is a program within the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), which allows a family and individual to self-direct their services by hiring 1:1 staffing and providing financial support.

Joining host Jim Coughlin, Executive Director, are his guests from Plymouth County Family Support (PCFS):

🔹 Jessica Gonsalves, Family Support Director

🔹 Dakota Phillips, Agency with Choice Coordinator

🔹 Wendy Dries, Agency with Choice Coordinator

This episode will also be live-streamed on 959watd. com.

Breaking the Ice is sponsored by Plymouth County Family Support, South Shore Support Services, and New England Village, Inc.

The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

11/18/2025

Get the latest updates on the Special Needs community in MA and The Great Blizzards on tonight's episode at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM! Or catch the live-stream on 959watd.com.

What’s the state of the special needs world in Massachusetts and The Great Blizzards? Find out on tonight’s episode of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM!

Joining host Steve Nearman are his guests:

🔹 Dylan Fernandes, Massachusetts State Senator for the Plymouth and Barnstable District

🔹 The Great Blizzards Coaches

This episode will also be live-streamed on 959watd. com.

Breaking the Ice is sponsored by Plymouth County Family Support, Inc., South Shore Support Services, and New England Village, Inc.

The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

11/11/2025

To all veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your courage and dedication inspire us all. 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

Join us tomorrow night when we spotlight South Shore Therapies and the services they provide to our community!🩵

How do the occupational therapists at South Shore Therapies help children with everyday tasks, communication skills, feeding, and sensory integration? How can families navigate the process?

Find out on the next episode of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tomorrow night at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM!

Joining host Holly Flanagan are her guests from South Shore Therapies:

🔹 Elaine Carroll, Marketing Relationship Coordinator

🔹 Jessica Lundblad, Occupational Therapist & Director of Clinical Services at their Hingham location

🔹 Allison Brown, Speech and Language Therapist & Community Services Liaison

South Shore Therapies offers comprehensive therapy options and programs for infant, child, and adolescent development. Their staff is highly skilled and experienced in occupational therapy to handle everyday tasks, speech and language therapy for better communication skills, feeding therapy to make meals more nutritious and enjoyable, and sensory integration to help with self-regulation and successful interactions with the surrounding world.

They also provide support and development for children and families in their own home and through community services.

Check out their website to learn more: southshoretherapies.com

Breaking the Ice is sponsored by Plymouth County Family Support, Inc., South Shore Support Services, and New England Village, Inc.

The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

11/03/2025

We're thrilled to welcome 3 former Bruins players on tomorrow night's episode: Frank Simonetti, Pat Leahy, and Bobby Allen! They'll discuss how the Boston Bruins Alumni Association supports New England charities including The Great Blizz!

How has the Boston Bruins Alumni Association made a huge impact for charities across New England, including The Great Blizz?

Find out on the next episode of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tomorrow night at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM! This episode will also be live-streamed on watd. com.

Joining host Steve Nearman will be his guests from The Boston Bruins Alumni Association:

Frank Simonetti, President and Former Bruins Player

Pat Leahy, Former Bruins Player

Bobby Allen, Former Bruins Player

We’ll discuss the new Boston Bruins Alumni season and the impact they have made over the years.

Since its inception in 1968, the Boston Bruins Alumni Association has helped raise more than $13 million for charitable initiatives across New England, including six games with The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts since its inception 2019, with a seventh game scheduled for March 21, 2026.

Visit their website for more information: bostonbruinsalumni.com

Breaking the Ice is sponsored by Plymouth County Family Support, Inc., South Shore Support Services, and New England Village, Inc.

The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

10/31/2025

Last chance to enter the Halloween 50/50 Raffle! 🎃

🎃 Happy Halloween from The Great Blizz! 👻🏒

Wishing all our players, families, and fans a fun, safe, and treat-filled night! 🍬✨

And don’t forget — today’s the final day to enter our Halloween 50/50 Raffle! 🎟️ The jackpot is already up to $400, and the lucky winner takes home half! 💰

Your support helps keep our incredible players on the ice and doing what they love. ❤️

🕛 Don’t wait — entries close tonight!

🎫 Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/GBHalloweenRaffle25

10/27/2025

It's all about New England Village, Inc. on tomorrow night's episode of Breaking the Ice! Get the details in the post below.

How does New England Village, Inc. empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

Find out on the next episode of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion tomorrow night at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM. This episode will also be live-streamed on watd. com.

Joining host Jim Coughlin of Plymouth County Family Support, Inc. will be his guests from New England Village:

🌟 Christine Chagnon, President and CEO

🌟 Jonathan Grabowski, Vice President of Communications & Development

For more than 50 years, New England Village has been empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their potential and pursue their dreams through innovative programs and community living. Dignity, respect, and choice are at the core of all New England Village services.

New England Village believes that people thrive when they make their own choices; people with disabilities are capable of, and have the right to, make their own decisions — where they live, work, and recreate. All their programs and offerings are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual they support.

With multiple locations, modern facilities, and a specialized team of highly skilled and dedicated human service professionals, New England Village serves more than 150 individuals with IDD, including autism and Down syndrome, and sensory disabilities such as hearing and vision impairment.

Visit their website for more information: newenglandvillage.org

Breaking the Ice is sponsored by Plymouth County Family Support, South Shore Support Services, and New England Village.

The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

10/23/2025

Enter the Blizz's Halloween 50/50 Raffle and help a great cause! 🎃

🎃 Just one more week to enter our Halloween 50/50 Raffle — where treats come in the form of cold, hard cash!💰

Our 50/50 Raffle is back with a frightfully fun twist! Half the pot goes to one lucky winner, and the other half supports The Great Blizzards Special Hockey and our amazing players. It’s a win-win that’s all treats, no tricks! 🍬🏒

🎟️ Tickets: Start at just $10 for 3

✅ Must be 18+ and purchase tickets in Massachusetts

Imagine how much fun you could have with your share of the winnings… a weekend getaway, an early holiday surprise, or the ultimate Halloween splurge! 🕸️

🗓️ The drawing will be held on October 31st — don’t ghost this chance!

🎫 Get your tickets now: https://bit.ly/GBHalloweenRaffle25

10/22/2025

Check out this awesome article in The Vineyard Gazette about The Great Blizz's new Martha's Vineyard location!

The Island next month will officially become a new home to The Great Blizzards, an all-ages special needs ice hockey team with three other locations in Massachusetts.

10/21/2025

Join us for an inspiring episode about the challenges of raising a child with Cerebral Palsey.

What are the challenges of raising a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP)? Find out on the next episode of Breaking The Ice - Let's Talk Inclusion, tonight at 6:15 PM on 95.9 WATD FM.

Joining host Steve Nearman will be his guests, Neil Plotnick and his son Marty, who has CP. Marty is a Great Blizz player at our Winthrop location.

Marty has been a big hockey fan but never played until he joined The Blizz, and now he’s a hockey-playing fan. He just attended a recent Buffalo Sabres game…in Buffalo!

Neil and Marty will discuss the challenges of CP, emphasizing what Marty CAN do rather than limitations. Don’t miss this show which is sure to be inspiring.

Also joining us will be John Robertson, Great Blizz coach at our Cape Cod location, who will provide an update on last Sunday’s Open House for our new Martha’s Vineyard location.

Breaking the Ice is sponsored by Plymouth County Family Support, Inc., South Shore Support Services, and New England Village, Inc.

The program airs every Tuesday at 6:15PM. Each week, our hosts will discuss topics that are important to our inclusive community and highlight the talents and achievements of our community members.

If you haven’t already, please follow our show page (tagged above) on Facebook which includes recordings of the episodes and more!

Breaking The Ice Lets Talk Inclusion

10/17/2025

The Blizz is coming to Martha's Vineyard! Check out the Open House this Sunday from 10AM-Noon - details in their post!

Ice hockey for special needs players is coming to Martha’s Vineyard! 🏒

The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts is adding Martha’s Vineyard to its 3 established and successful locations of Kingston on the South Shore, South Dennis on Cape Cod, and Winthrop on the North Shore.

Ice time will be Sundays at 10:00 AM at starting November 16th through end of April at the YMCA Martha's Vineyard Ice Arena. The rink is located at 111R Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road in Vineyard Haven.

🌟 An Open House is scheduled for Sunday, October 19th from 10:00 AM-Noon to meet the team's management and coaches and to register for the 2025-2026 season. 🌟

The team welcomes players ages four through adulthood, all genders, all backgrounds. Coaching staff is welcome too, including high school and middle school skaters, some looking for community service hours.

CAN'T SKATE? No problem. Most of our roster of 85 players never skated before they met us.

CAN'T AFFORD expensive protective gear? No problem, again! We loan equipment from helmet to skates and everything in between.

If your player is not sure hockey is for them, we allow a three-practice trial, so it’s a great opportunity to try it out!

This isn’t just about hockey, it’s about giving kids and adults a chance to build confidence, form friendships, and know they belong — on and off the ice.

👉 For more information, email [email protected] or call 703-587-4321.

10/15/2025

Amazing article about The Blizz!