Connecting for Children and Families Hosts Annual Dinner

Connecting for Children and Families (CCF) held its 18^thAnniversary Annual Dinner on Wednesday, May 1 at Savini’s Restaurant in Woonsocket. 

Sandra M. Powell, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), was the Keynote Speaker. In 2011 Governor Lincoln Chafee appointed Ms. Powell to lead DHS, which administers the state’s major economic support programs, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program (snap), low income child care, child support services, medical assistance, general public assistance, and temporary aid to needy families (called RI Works). 

Serving more than 400,000 Rhode Islanders, the department also provides vocational rehabilitation services to disabled Rhode Islanders, services for seniors through the division of elderly affairs and services for veterans through the division of veteran’s affairs.

Prior to her human services appointment, Ms. Powell served for three years as Director of the RI Department of Labor and training. Powell  has worked in progressively senior positions in RI state government for over twenty years, where she has focused on delivering both workforce and social services to Rhode Islanders in need.

CCF presented four awards at the Annual Dinner:

 Outstanding Volunteer Award to Normand Morin for his commitment as a volunteer toCCF’s Pantry Express, a free program that brings fresh produce to Woonsocket families every week from July through October.

 Outstanding Volunteer Award to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State and theirBryant University students who have volunteered in CCF’s after-school program for the past two years.

Outstanding Business Award to Lisa St.Onge, Assistant Vice President, on behalf of Amica Insurance Company. This award is given to a company that has been a true partner to CCFand the Woonsocket community

Outstanding Community Leader Award to Amanda LaRose, Assistant Branch Manager at the Woonsocket Citizens Bank, for her dedication to CCF, especially its Center for Financial Success.

CCF also presented its 2013 Board of Directors slate (see below). All honorees and guests were entertained by students in the Kevin K. Coleman Elementary School chorus, which is run by the CCF afterschool enrichment program.

Connecting for Children and Families

Board of Directors

2013-2014 Slate of Candidates

Lisa Carcifero, ChairpersonWoonsocket Prevention Coalition

Ericka Moore, Vice-ChairNeighborhood Health Plan of RI

Nancy Dufresne, Treasurer
Bank Rhode Island

Ben Washington, Secretary
Parent Representative

Geraldine Barclay-King, Parent Representative
Christopher Beauchamp, Woonsocket City Council
Laura Belisle, Cox Communications
Lt. Todd Boisvert, Woonsocket Police Department
Sandra Cooney, Sandra Cooney Public Relations
Shane Culliton, Parent Representative
James Damron, Bryant University
Raphael Diaz, Citizens Memorial Elementary School
Nancy Giambusso, Even Start Family Literacy Program
Cruz Hernandez, Parent Representative
Lisa Jacques, Parent Representative
Brendalee McGovern, Parent Representative
William O’Gara Esq., Pannone, Lopes, Devereaux & West
Lisa St. Onge, Amica Mutual Insurance Company
Kathleen Orovitz, Navigant Credit Union
Elizabeth Santana, Parent Representative

Connecting for Children and Families (CCF) is a community-based nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the quality of family and community life in Woonsocket. CCF offers a wide range of family support initiatives, including quality childcare, before and after-school enrichment; financial stability, parenting education and support, and community safety initiatives.