On Thursday May 12, Child & Family held the 2nd annual Ellen Townsend Women’s Luncheon, an event recognizing and celebrating women in our community who support and have supported Child & Family and the programs and services we provide. Hosted by Andrea Breyer and Jacqui Colbert, this special luncheon was named for Ms. Ellen Townsend who in 1866, demonstrated compassion and generosity when she saw a deep need for support of destitute children in the city of Newport. In 1867 following the Civil War, Ellen Townsend persuaded her brother, Mr. Christopher Townsend to donate their family home on the corner of School, Mary and High Streets along with $500 for repairs to be used as a home for orphaned children and children of destitute families. Miss Townsend’s generosity and the generosity of other women in Newport who followed her lead to help provide a home and care for those children in need, set the stage for 150 years of community support for what is now Child & Family. Guest speakers at the luncheon included Stieg Lindeblad, a former Child & Family group home resident who has successfully completed his first year of college at the University of Rhode Island and Kim Fuller, Child & Family volunteer and adoptive mother who shared excerpts from her upcoming book, “Finding”. Over 60 guests attended the luncheon catered by Pranzi Catering & Events.
Child & Family has grown from an orphanage in Newport to a statewide organization that preserves and strengthens families throughout the lifespan by providing programs that support children and families in need. Our impact in Rhode Island includes providing the following:
-Healthy human development through early childhood education
–Family reunification and stabilization
–Supportive Housing for homeless mothers and their children
–Foster care
-Short term residential treatment
-Independent living for foster children as they become adults
-Various volunteer and internship opportunities in our programs
-Programs that keep elders safe and healthy at home
