On August 6, 2010, the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Program, now in its 31st year of serving the Greater Taunton Area, began a 19th Annual Celebration of Parenthood. Liberty Union Park, in downtown Taunton, was the site for this activity, held in conjunction with World Breast Feeding Week.

The setting at Liberty Union Park resembled a Ringling Brothers Circus location. There were magic shows, face painting, balloons tethered to strings, and plenty of fun-filled games for the families who attended the celebration. An early part of the event found many of the children dancing to the music of DJ Al Martinez from Spinn Productions. Dancing and keeping fit was highlighted as being a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle.

Organizers of the Celebration of Parenthood program also made sure that vital nutrition information was disseminated to the gathering of WIC parents and other visitors to the park. Samples of the new WIC food packages, which emphasize whole grain bread, brown rice, canned fish and other healthy foods, were distributed.

Many children entered the park under the banner of the “Parade of Fruits,” with each child wearing a homemade hat covered with decorative paper images of fruit. The significance of the fruit was to remind the children and parents that they should eat proper amounts of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

Several awards were presented at the event, in three categories:
Breastfeeding Awards:
Ms. Daidra Chaves
Ms. Tuany Machado
Ms. Ashley Aiello

Community Service Award:
Ms. Kathleen Doherty – Lactation Consultant

Foster Parent Award:
Ms. Ann McLean
Mr. Stephen O’Neill

Several elected officials were on hand to commemorate the occasion. An official commendation was submitted by State Representative James H. Fagan, and presented by his wife; Christine A. Fagan. Taunton Mayor Charles Crawley also was present for the festivities.

The WIC Program provides valuable nutrition and health education, healthy food, and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families who meet the qualification guidelines. To obtain more information on the WIC program and learn how to apply for assistance, please visit the Massachusetts WIC website. An overview of CFC’s participation in the WIC program for the past year can be read here [pdf].

The WIC Program eligibility is determined by household income to see if you qualify please check the income guidelines here.

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Free Family Fun! Friday August 6th at 10 am. in Liberty & Union Park on Main St. in Taunton. Rain location: Elks Lodge at 119 High St., Taunton. The 19th Annual Celebration of Parenthood will feature free refreshments, games, raffles, music, balloons, and a children’s parade of fruits and vegetables. Hosted by Citizens For Citizens Taunton Attleboro WIC Program, this event is part family party, part health and resource fair. Run in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week, awards will be given for breastfeeding, as well as for parenting and community partners.

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SWANSEA – James E. Dolin of Swansea, MA has been re-elected to serve as President of the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC) Board of Directors. Mr. Dolin was chosen by a unanimous vote during the CFC Annual Meeting held at the Venus De Milo Restaurant on June 23, 2010. 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 and thanked the Board of Directors for the selfless sacrifices they make while serving as members of the Board.

He emphasized that they should be proud of the work CFC has accomplished during their tenure. “During this upcoming year, CFC will expand to an annual budget of more than $36,000,000 and the need for the services we provide will grow, as we continue to help families in need. Local companies, such as Minuteman Harley Davidson Company from Dartmouth, are donating funds to programs like the CFC Food Pantry, where employees and volunteers help numerous needy families put food on their tables. Many families continue to reach out to CFC for help, often for the first time.”

CFC Board Member Eugene J. Kosinski, Jr. presented the Edward J. Sullivan Scholarship Award to Michael Massoud. Michael will be attending the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, where he will major in nursing. Michael ranked 76th out of 467 graduates in the 2010 Durfee High School graduating class. Michael resides with his parents, Clifford and Holly Massoud, and 3 siblings in Fall River.

A Robert J. Nagle Community Service Award was presented to Jessica Masse. Presenting the award was CFC Board Member, Monique Campeau. This particular award is given annually to the parent of a current or former CFC Head Start or Day Care participant. Jessica is a single parent with 4 children and she currently attends Bristol Community College. While pursuing a degree in applied science/culinary arts, Jessica is maintaining a grade point average (GPA) of 3.52. She has been very active in the Head Start Program, currently serving on the Policy Council. Jessica’s career goal is to own and operate a bakery.

Also receiving a Robert J. Nagle Community Service Award was Manny Cardoso of Taunton. Presenting the award was the CFC Taunton Office Manager, Debbie Araujo.
Since the age of thirteen, Mr. Cardoso has been volunteering with the distribution of toys for the Operation Christmas Program. Ms. Araujo said, “Manny has never failed to show up to help with any task that is required to distribute toys to needy families in the Greater Taunton area.” In accepting his award, Mr. Cardoso thanked the CFC Board of Directors for the award and said, “If I don’t show up to lend a hand, it’s because I’m dead.”

Crystal Arpa, Assistant Director of the CFC Fall River Food Pantry, presented the Hubert H. Humphrey Business Award to the Minuteman Harley Davidson Company of Dartmouth, MA. Crystal noted that the Minuteman Harley Davidson Company has generously donated funds to the food pantry throughout the past year.

Daniel R. (Dan) Desmond, Dealer Principal for the company, accepted this award. Upon receiving the award, Mr. Desmond presented Crystal with a check for $250.00 for the Food Pantry. Mr. Desmond said, “The donations come from the customers who frequent our store. Minuteman Harley Davidson plans on continuing to raise funds to help feed families in need.”

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On June 11, an event organized by the CFC Head Start Policy Council members was held at McGovern’s Family Restaurant in Fall River. Alicia Jansen, Policy Council Chairperson, welcomed the attendees to the 29th Head Start Program Annual Banquet 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. Alicia Jansen, presented awards to the Policy Council members in appreciation of their participation in this year’s Head Start Policy activities.

The current Head Start Policy Council officers are:

Alicia Jansen – Policy Council Chairperson
Wesley Yost – Policy Council Vice Chairperson
Jessica Masse – Policy Council Treasurer
Nichole Goodis – Policy Council Secretary

Other members of the Policy Council are:

Deborah Silva, Christina Devoe, David Melanson, Jessica Masse,
Kelly Pike, Maritza Rodriquez, Eric Larrivee, Dwane Lewis,
Nicole Leite, Robin Dechaine, Angie Pacheco, April Souza. and
Ada Pantoja

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 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 said that the “Head Start Program was one of the first programs that CFC operated, now in its 45th year of operation.”

Mr. Sullivan presented a twenty-five year service award to Neil Lynch, the Head Start Director. Neil thanked the staff and parents, and expressed his appreciation for their assistance during his tenure as Director of the Head Start Program. Neil Lynch also thanked the Banquet Committee members and all the volunteers who helped to make this annual event a success.

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

For five years service – Melissa Botelho, Dina Fonseca, Amy King and Breken Perry

For ten years service – Michelle Arpa, Cheryl Dennis, Rosa Resendes and Aida Trevera

For fifteen years service – Norma Monteiro

For twenty years service – William Hackett, Jr.

For twenty-five years of service – Elaine Gifford, Mary Leger, Sheila Cabral, Donna Morris, Janice Tremblay, and Linda Viveiros

For thirty years service – Sharon Gonsalves

For thirty-five years service– Helen Raposo

Ms. Raposo received an engraved desk clock to commemorate her service to the Head Start Program.

Alicia Jansen presented the following Policy Council members with appreciation awards:

Dwayne Lewis (The Good Guy Award)
Jessica Masse – Policy Council Treasurer
Jackie Cummings – Community Representative
Christina Devoe
Nicole Leite

After the award presentations were concluded, the attendees enjoyed dancing well into the night to music played by local DJ’s, Joan and Rick Mello.

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