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.

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized by amello
Comments Off

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

Tags: Uncategorized by Dan Delisle
Comments Off

On May 15, an event organized by present and former CFC Head Start Policy Council members was held at Whites on the Wattuppa. Nichole Goodis, Policy Council Chairperson, welcomed attendees and thanked everyone for their attendance and support of the Head Start Program. The Policy Council functions in an advisory role, similar to a board of directors, for the staff of the Head Start Program. Ms. Goodis also presented awards to the Policy Council members for their participation in this year’s Head Start Policy activities. Vice Chairperson Manuel Cabral presented Nichole an award for her service as leader of the Policy Council.

The current Head Start Policy Council officers are:

Nichole Goodis – Policy Council Chairperson
Manuel Cabral – Policy Council Vice Chairperson and Good Guys Delegate
Jocelyn Carvalho – Policy Council Treasurer and MAHS Associate
Alicia Jansen – Policy Council Secretary

Citizens for Citizens, Inc.’s Executive Director, Mark A Sullivan, Jr., thanked the Policy Council members and Head Start parents for their continued involvement in the program and reminded them that, “They (the parents) are the best primary teachers for their children. Studies have demonstrated that children who enter and complete the Head Start Program perform better than other students when they enter kindergarten and succeeding grade levels. One of the reasons that the participating children do well is the parent participation component.” Mr. Sullivan also thanked the Head Start staff for their continued dedication to both the program and the children who benefit from their efforts.

Mark Sullivan addresses Head Start parents

Neil Lynch, Head Start Program Director, thanked the Banquet Committee members and all the volunteers who helped make the event so successful. The Banquet Committee members include Head Start parent and former Policy Council member Jennifer Briggs, Manuel Cabral of the Policy Council; Dawn Bolger, former parent member and community representative of the Policy Council who has continued as a very active and committed member of the Banquet Committee, Alicia Jansen of the Policy Council, also Maria Ouellette, Melanie Rosa, and Karen Galloway, all of whom are Family Advocates for the Head Start Program and worked diligently to produce this year’s Banquet.

Neil Lynch and Nichole Goodis

Neil Lynch was joined by Head Start Assistant Director, Pamela Wildnauer to present awards to the following employees:

For five years service – Margarita Toledo
For ten years service – Krista Chea, Grace Kipp, and Sandra Peckham
For fifteen years service – Kristen Benevides and Sheryl Raposa
For twenty years service – Patricia Donovan and Karen Galloway
For thirty years service – Mary Habib, Donna Johnson, and Maria Ouellette
For thirty-five years service – Carol Medeiros

Neil Lynch and Pam Wildnauer present Carol Medeiros with 35-year service award

Other Head Start Program staff members who were recognized for their years of service to Head Start, but were unable attend the Banquet include:

For five years service – Crystal Howard, Theresa Marcos-Lawrenson, and Kristen Munroe
For ten years service – Warren Alves, Donna Charron, and Marina O’Grady
For fifteen years service – Patricia Chabot, Helen Gillis, Arthur Latessa, Elizabeth Raposo, and David Sikora
For twenty years service – Joanne Soares
For thirty years service – Theresa Bernardino, Joyce Desmarais, Bernadette Oliveira, and Melanie Rosa
For thirty-five years service – Claudette Rusin

After the award presentations were concluded, the attendees enjoyed dancing well into the night to music played by a local DJ.

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized by Dan Delisle
Comments Off