People living in poverty often need assistance with emergency situations and help with their own efforts to improve the circumstances under which they live. Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC) is the Community Action Agency serving the cities of Fall River and Taunton. Additionally, CFC also serves the surrounding towns of Berkley, Dighton, Freetown, Lakeville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport.

Citizens for Citizens, Inc. is an antipoverty social services agency, assisting over 42,000  households  each year by providing short-term services that support families during financial crisis situations through its Fuel Assistance, Food Pantry, and Rental Assistance programs. In addition, CFC provides long-range solutions through diverse programs that seek to empower low-income individuals and families with the ability to overcome the burdens of poverty by giving them the tools necessary to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency by offering programs such as Weatherization Assistance, Heart Start, Early Head Start, After School Day Care, HEART WAP, Senior Aide, Foster Grandparent, RSVP’s, Family Planning, and Volunteer Income Tax Return Preparation.

In keeping with the standards established during more than forty years of service to the low-income community, the dedicated management and staff of Citizens for Citizens, Inc. are continuing to search for and develop innovative new programs to combat poverty and help families to lead healthier, happier, and more productive lives.

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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

The four-hour event was held to familiarize the public with the new location of the rapidly growing program that serviced 19,792 applications the past winter.

“We had about 18,000 the year before,” said Liz Berube, director of the fuel assistance program, noting a nearly 2,000 application increase in 12 months.

“We just ran out of space” in the old building, she said.

“This is really nice,” she said of the new modular structure, located behind the current CFC main building at 264 Griffin St.

She said the new structure was “dropped in” in sections in February and staffers moved in on April 29.

“About 20 staff people were brought in from the old building,” she said.

The antipoverty social services agency has been providing fuel assistance for nearly 36 years, Berube noted.

Andrew Mello, coordinator of special projects, said CFC wanted the public to know about the program’s move to its new location before it went into full operation mode for the coming winter.

“This will help reduce the amount of people coming to the old building, seeking fuel assistance, then having to send them to the new building,” he said.

“We just ran out of room,” he said of the old building where clients can still go for the food pantry, food stamps, advocacy and referrals.

Mello said a family of four with a total household income of $59,137 is potentially eligible to receive fuel assistance under the program’s guidelines.

Two other energy-related programs provided by CFC to those who qualify are weatherization and heating system repair/replacement. -

Clients can receive weatherization to reduce the amount of energy they use, Mello said. “An estimated 40 percent of oil can be wasted with poor efficiency out of a boiler,” he said. “We can assist replacing heating systems,” he noted.

Utility companies contribute funds to pay for the weatherization and heating system repair/replacement programs.

Courtesy Fall River Herald News

Three years old (by September, 2010) through age five, from families who meet income requirements.

The Head Start Program is a free child development program that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition and social services. The primary goal of Head Start is to increase a child’s effectiveness in dealing with everyday life and later responsibilities in school and life. Head Start also provides many opportunities for parents to become involved in the program, and to improve their own education and employment potential. The Head Start Program welcomes children with disabilities and accepts Child Care vouchers. The CFC Head Start Program serves the city of Fall River, and the towns of Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Freetown, Dighton, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Berkley, and Lakeville.

If you wish to enroll your child in Head Start, please call 508-675-2151, Ext. 204. An appointment must be made with a Head Start family worker for an interview. The interview will discuss documentation of income, health concerns, developmental and social concerns, family history, and other relevant matters.

See our flyer for Head Start locations and additional information.

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.

DJ Al Martinez from Spinn Productions

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.

Samples of food that can be purchased with WIC coupons

Children martching in the "Parade of Fruits"

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.

Diana Martell looks on as CFC's WIC Director, Karen Swass accepts award from Taunton Mayor Charles Crawley

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

Board President, James E. Dolin presiding over the meeting

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.

CFC Executive Director, Mark A. Sullivan, Jr. reporting on the CFC Annual Report

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.

Michael Massoud with his proud parents

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.

Monquie and Jessica Masse

Debbie Arujo and Manny Cardoso

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.

Martha and Dan Desmond with Crystal Arpa

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.”

Head Start Director, Neil Lynch presents a certificate of appreciation to Policy Council Chairperson Alicia Jansen

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 receives twenty-five year award from CFC Executive Director Mark A. Sullivan, Jr

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.

Helen Raposo proudly displays her engraved clock for thirty-five years of service

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.

The service is subsidized for low-income families living in Fall River & surrounding towns.

We are offering free Center Based Pre-School Education and Child Care, as well as a home-based option, services for children with disabilities and limited school bus transportaion for qualifying children (limited to Fall River residents only.)

We are currently accepting childcare vouchers for our Full-Day Program!

Register now and beat the waiting list!

You may contact us at 508-675-2151 ext. 204.

We also provide Early Head Start services for pregnant moms, infants and toddlers. Please call 508-678-2961 for details.

Joyce Soares

Hello CFC Staff,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to use my newest computer and office skills in the workplace through The Senior AIDES Program.
Having worked in sales, marketing, and sales staff support my entire working life, I decided to switch careers to office administration when my sales job was liquidated in May 2008. After successfully completing a computer training program offered through the MA Dept. of Workforce Development, my focus was to attain a job in an office setting. One Catch! My qualifications were real, but my work experience did not reflect the office work experience that would get me noticed by prospective employers. Then, I learned about The Senior AIDES Program when I attended a Job Fair sponsored by Senator Marc Pacheco last fall. I gladly signed on so I could build confidence in office work and ultimately find full-time, permanent employment…which is what the program was created for!
My Senior AIDES work assignment was with Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. I had a fantastic office manager/mentor. I was able to put my new-found computer and office training to use by creating a Power Point presentation, doing MS Word documents, entering data into their volunteer data base, even writing a press release for local media publication. Further, my manager/mentor helped me work with Excel spreadsheets!
I continued to look for a full-time job, but, now could add Office Administration work experience to my resume. I’ve enclosed my revised resume to this correspondence for you to add to my file.

The conclusion to my story is that I’ve been hired as a full-time Administrative Assistant at NATCO/Reinhart Food Service, Inc. in New Bedford, MA. The Senior AIDES Program did not get me this job. The Senior AIDES Program gave me the boost I needed to help me get this job.
I’d recommend The Senior AIDES Program to any senior seeking employment. While serving their communities, they will obtain valuable work experience and make meaningful business contacts at the same time.

Thanks again,

Joyce Soares