Over 300 participants in the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC) Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) “found” themselves being honored for their valuable community contributions at a breakfast hosted by CFC at the Venus de Milo restaurant on June 17, 2009. A hearty and healthy breakfast was served to the senior volunteers who give freely of their time and effort to nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, soup kitchens, schools, and other private or public agencies throughout the Greater Fall River and Greater Taunton areas.

The morning’s entertainment program was highlighted by music of yesteryear, superbly performed by Tilly Lima and the Cliftonaires.

Cliftonaires entertaining our breakfast attendees

In his speech to the gathering, CFC Executive Director Mark A. Sullivan, Jr. noted, “There are a lot of things we can’t do anything about, and there are a lot of things we can do something about. It’s all about attitude. The RSVP volunteers are can-do people. The people in need are not the people in this room. They have what it takes to get out and help someone less fortunate.” Sullivan went on to say, “We received more than 18,000 requests from local families for fuel assistance this past heating season, and when you factor in that families living in public housing do not qualify for fuel assistance, there are a lot of folks hurting in today’s economy. Your service to the community relieves some of the pain that many families are facing today.”

Mark Sullivan addressing RSVP's

Fall River Mayor Robert Correia, State Representative David B. Sullivan (D-Fall River), and Fall River City Councilor Steven A. Camara also spoke in praise of the contributions of the RSVP volunteers.

The Citizens for Citizens, Inc. Retired Senior Volunteers Program helps senior citizens to remain productive and provides socialization opportunities. The organizations that receive RSVP assistance are provided with needed manpower to assist their employees. The program matches volunteer skills to the needs of various organizations, provides mileage reimbursement, and is open to persons over the age of 55. Anyone interested in joining the Retired Senior Volunteers Program should contact William Leary at 508-679-0041 (ext. 220).

To learn more about the RSVP and other programs operated by Citizens for Citizens, Inc., please open the Directory of Service [pdf] listed on our home page.

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In the spring of this year, the CFC Head Start Program introduced The Incredible Years – BASIC Parent Training Program, a 14-week workshop program for low-income parents of children ages 2 to 8 with behavior problems and for parents who want to prevent child behavior problems from developing. [Read more about its launch here.] There was a very enthusiastic response from the parents who participated in this initial program session, as illustrated by the following letter from a participating parent to Jennifer Newkirk, Clinical Psychologist and Donna Avylla, CFC Head Start Disabilities & Mental Health Manager, who served as Co-Leaders of the program.

Dear Jenny and Donna,

I just wanted to thank you! You both have worked so hard with The Incredible Years! My kids and I are doing so much better! They aren’t perfect by any means, they still try to test the limits, but boy are they better than they were! We will always continue to work hard at this program, long after it’s done because there is so much good to come from this! It has definitely been difficult, working full-time, raising two boys by myself and implementing this program! It is worth it, life’s easier now that before! I see my Incredible Years book as my bible! This program has made me a much better parent, this is the owner’s manual that should come with every newborn! Forget La Maze, this is what they should teach! My kids are happier, listen better and are becoming more independent every day! They believe in their abilities and even praise and encourage each other! These boys are my life and I love them to the ends of the Earth! Now I don’t get to be just mom, I get to enjoy them everyday! God bless you and thank you again!

Sincerely,

Nichole Goodis

May, 2009

Wondering if you qualify for Fuel Assistance? If you do you may also apply for the Weatherization Program and the Home Heating Repair / Replacement Program. Please call the numbers listed below to apply for the Fuel Assistance Program and then you can apply for these energy saving programs.

Here’s a brief overview of the income guidelines for most typical families:

For information on larger families, or for other Fuel Assistance related inquiries, please call our offices at (508) 676-7397 or (508) 676-7398