ETA

The Boys' and Girls' Club of Northern Rhode Island

Mission

Their mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

History

On February 13, 1956, the Cumberland Boys Club was founded and incorporated by a group of dedicated citizens. With the support of the town, business, industry, civic and fraternal organizations, the Club's first facility, American Legion #14 was opened.

With a minimal budget and a staff of volunteer help, the effort was a success and the club grew rapidly and brought to light the need for a larger facility. The dedicated founders were committed to a philosophy of "Sincerity- Dedications-Cooperation".

Working together, they took their dream and made steps to turn it into a reality.

In 1959, the Town of Cumberland donated a two-acre plot that is now the current site of the facility, and in 1960, a capitol fund-raising campaign was undertaken in the Towns of both Cumberland and Lincoln, for the construction of a new clubhouse.On May 28, 1961 the new building was dedicated.

The Club's name changed in 1960 to the Cumberland-Lincoln Boys Club, and the Club became a member of the United Fund in 1962. A new pool and addition were dedicated and ready for use in July, 1970. In 1974 the Hysen Chelo Memorial Field was constructed. In 1982 a capitol campaign allowed for major additions of indoor program areas. In March 1996, ground was broken for the Berkeley Village Recreational Facility with outdoor court activities.

The Cumberland-Lincoln Boys Club was founded to promote the health, social, educational, vocational, and character development of boys.

With changing times and attitudes and the needs of our communities, the Cumberland-Lincoln Boys & Girls Club now provides a well-rounded foundation for community activity, for boys, girls, men, women, and community groups.

With these concepts in mind, they will continue to provide a facility, programs, and services that are integral to our communities.

In 2018 the Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland-Lincoln and the Boys and Girls Club of Woonsocket became one entity, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island.

The Cumberland School Volunteers

Since its inception, Cumberland School Volunteers has seen thousands of parents assisting teachers in schools and hundreds of board members. Often, the first time a parent volunteers is at their child’s school, and many times, those parents will stay involved in the group until their children have graduated from high school in the district.

CSV was formed at a time when teachers had no assistants, and certifications for those roles were nonexistent.

When the group was first established, there was this belief that volunteers could make a difference.

That’s proven to be true, as the Reading Is Fundamental program, RIF, is now well known at elementary schools in town, and student feedback following the “Just Friends” program has demonstrated that children understand the purpose of the initiative: despite differences among classmates, peers with disabilities are more similar than they are different.

Training is offered to any volunteers interested, and with the help of grants and fundraising, CSV raises about $7,500 annually to fund RIF alone. Three times a year, students at Ashton, B.F. Norton, Community, Cumberland Hill, and Garvin Memorial elementary schools are able to choose a book to keep and read for fun.

By making the decision themselves, rather than being given a reading list or directed to read a certain book, children are more likely to enjoy reading, spend more time sifting through books and be more successful in school.

CSV has sponsored the program initially at the schools which were once considered Title 1 or Title 1 eligible because of the districts’ needs, for more than 30 years. This year it was expanded to include all Cumberland elementary schools.

In 4th-grade classrooms throughout the district, trained volunteers have introduced and presented the “Just Friends” program for years, explaining various physical and intellectual disabilities and how they affect the body. It’s through this initiative, that many students learn about how and why their peers communicate the way they do.

Kappa

The Haven of Grace

“Empowering women to overcome poverty of body, mind, and spirit”…this is the mission of The Haven of Grace, a long-term transitional housing program for women in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

The Haven was founded in 1991 by Judith Lajoie, who continues to serve as the director of the facility today. The women served by the Haven are working to overcome the effects of domestic violence, addictions, mental health issues, and poverty. In fact, ninety percent of those served are disabled and one hundred percent live below poverty level. Women who enter the Haven are able to stay as long as they need, and are welcome through its transitional housing program or at one of its two permanent housing sites.

Through individual counseling, twelve step recovery groups, GED assistance, life skill classes, a literacy program, and community volunteer service, the Haven strives to empower women to overcome their life obstacles. The ultimate goal of the services provided by the Haven is to get the women to be economically, socially, and emotionally self-sufficient.

The Haven of Grace is a non-profit organization. In order to fulfill its mission and serve the women in need, the Haven relies heavily on donations from the community. To learn more about the Haven of Grace or to donate, please call Judith Lajoie or Susan Mansfield at 401-766-0284.

The Little Rhodey Lovely Ladies of ADK

TOOK PART IN THE LONGEST DAY!

Alpha Delta Kappa, a global partner with the

Alzheimer's Association, needs YOU!

Remember how HOT it was last June 21!! I do . . . glad we brought LOTS of water

(thanks, Nancy Capineri!). Please join us again as we, the Little Rhody Lovely

Ladies of ADK, walk, run or bike the Blackstone (bike path, that is!)

on June 21 at 4 PM. You can pledge through Facebook or bring a check

made out to The Alzheimer’s Association that day. We’ll meet at the Front Street

(Lincoln) entrance to the bike path.

We’d LOVE your support!!!

Rhode Island Altruistic Projects

1. The Haven of Grace

The Haven is a long term residential program for women who are working to change their lives. Residents remain at the Haven of Grace for six months to two years during which time they are empowered to achieve their goals and "overcome the poverty of body, mind, and spirit." Services offered include: GED classes, college and job training, life skills, counseling, and casework services, spiritual development, and service learning programs.

2. The Family Literacy Center

The mission of the Family Literacy Center is to empower children, young adults, and their families to enhance the quality of their lives through education, support, advocacy and opportunity. The Center encourages community involvement and refers members to services if needed. There are over 2,000 members served by the center. The Center provides:

• Access to a collection of quality, age-appropriate learning tools for students and their families (books, computers, CD players, etc.)

• Homework help to elementary and middle school students

• Daily snack after school

• Parenting Programs

• Self-esteem programs

• Teen and adult economic growth programs

• Self-improvement educational opportunity programs