Head Start Annual Report
Head Start’s 2008 Annual Report can be accessed by downloading the PDF file located below.
Head Start’s 2008 Annual Report can be accessed by downloading the PDF file located below.
Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, visited with the CFC Weatherization staff at 427 Robeson Street to speak about the additional funding the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) will receive through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(ARRA).
Congressman Frank paid tribute to a program that has been weatherizing homes and apartments in the Fall River, Taunton, and New Bedford areas for more than thirty years. “Nearly 17,000 homes in the CFC service area have received new insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving improvements since the program began.” The ARRA will provide an additional 5 billion dollars nationally for the WAP and will increase CFC’s Weatherization Program budget by more than $8,500,000.
Income guidelines for the Weatherization Assistance Program have increased allowing more families to benefit from the program. A family of four can now earn up to $53,608 in gross income and be eligible for weatherization services. The average that can be expended for materials and labor has increased as well to $5,500 from $2,500.
Madeleine Cormier, CFC Weatherization Director, noted that home weatherization programs have wide-ranging benefits, from reduced energy usage, reduction of foreign oil imports, increased home values and the creation of “green” jobs. Cormier also said, “Each home receives a site-specific energy audit to determine the best measures to reduce energy consumption in that particular home.” Typically, weather-stripping, attic and wall insulation and air-sealing measures are performed. During the energy audit, air quality tests are taken to determine if excessive carbon monoxide or any natural gas leaks are present. Heating systems are evaluated to confirm their operating efficiency. All of the measures can result in a total reduction of the energy consumed by as much as 35%.
Ms. Cormier further explained, “Weatherization is available to all income-eligible households, owners and renters alike. Property owners of eligible rental units must agree to freeze the rent for a period of one year from the date of completion in exchange for the work performed on their property.
Low-income households typically spend 25% of their total annual income for energy needs, compared with 3.5% for other households. Weatherization measures provide long-term relief for low-income families protecting them from fluctuations in energy prices and supplies.”
Anyone interested in applying for Weatherization can call 508-675-2157 extension 231, 232 or 287
SWANSEA – James E. Dolin of Swansea has been re-elected to serve as President of the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC) Board of Directors. Mr. Dolin was chosen by unanimous vote during the CFC Annual Meeting held at the Venus De Milo Restaurant on June 24, 2009. Also re-elected as CFC officers were First Vice President, Butch Almeida; Second Vice President, Ida Cabral; Treasurer, Jacqueline Cummings; and Secretary, Ronald Costa
The Citizens for Citizens, Inc. Executive Director, Mark A. Sullivan, Jr. presented the Directors Annual Report. Mr. Sullivan thanked the Board of Directors for the selfless sacrifices they make while serving as members of the Board of Directors. He emphasized that they should be proud of the work CFC has accomplished over the years. “During this upcoming year, CFC will expand to an annual budget of more than $30,000,000, and the need for the services we provide will grow, as we continue to help families in need.” Mark Sullivan praised the Fallon Community Health Plan for its generous donation of funds to the CFC Food Pantry. The Fallon Community Health Plan was also the recipient of the Annual Hubert H. Humphrey Business Award.
CFC Treasurer Jacqueline Cummings presented the Edward J. Sullivan Scholarship Award, to Samantha McCallister, a member of the 2009 graduating class of Durfee High School. Samantha was a solid student at Durfee and participated in several community activities, including time spent as a CCD teacher, a DSS babysitter, and she was also a member of the Fish and Tackle Club. Samantha will begin her college program in September at Bridgewater State College, where she will major in Early Childhood Education. She resides in Fall River with her mother, Sheri McCallister and her siblings.
The Robert J. Nagle Community Service Award was presented to Carol Garand, a teacher at Bristol Community College. Presenting the award was Paul Desmarais, Director of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Paul remarked on the dedication that Carol demonstrates to this program. Mr. Desmarais noted, “Carol has helped CFC by recruiting students from the BCC business programs to prepare tax returns for low-income clients. These tax clients will have thousands of tax refund dollars returned to them, with no fees charged for the preparation of their income tax returns.”
Also receiving the Robert J. Nagle Community Service Award was Paul Allison of Taunton. Presenting the award was the CFC Taunton Office Manager, Debbie Araujo. Debbie stated that Paul, a firefighter for the City of Taunton, volunteers his time and energy to organize fundraisers for the Operation Christmas Program, and in addition helps with the distribution of toys for children in the Greater Taunton area.
The final recipient of a Robert J. Nagle Community Service Award was Rene Kochman. Presenting the award was Barbara Travis, who told the gathering that Rene had called her twenty-two years ago and said he would like to organize a telethon for Operation Christmas, to be broadcast on the local cable television station. The success of the telethon was evident from the beginning and it has helped raise thousands of dollars that are used to purchase Christmas toys for needy children in the Greater Fall River area.
