On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 5PM, Child & Family hosted their 153rd Annual Meeting at their Middletown Community Center at 31 John Clarke Road, Middletown, RI. In attendance were past, present and incoming Board of Directors members, dignitaries, community leaders, and friends of Child & Family.
The speaking portion opened with Child & Family President & CEO, Marty Sinnott, welcoming guests and giving a rundown of the past 153 years of Child & Family. Following Mr. Sinnott, keynote speaker Courtney Hawkins, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, gave a passionate speech regarding her love and concerns for Rhode Island, and plans to help those in need which include affordable, quality childcare available to all children throughout Rhode Island. She praised Child & Family’s Sandpiper Early Learning Center for the high quality childcare and commitment to serve those with a diverse financial background. She discussed how the cycle of poverty will only stop if we as a community support those in need, and the stigma of the “poor needing to pull themselves out by their own bootstraps” needs to end.
Following Director Hawkins, 2019 Chair, Child & Family Board of Directors, Anne Berman, gave a synopsis of the past year. Ms. Berman thanked everyone who supports the 800 seniors this past year through Child & Family’s Elder Program, the 500 families being counseled in the Family Care Community Partnership (FCCP) program, over 100 students preparing for academic success at Sandpipers Early Learning Center as well as thousands more, being helped by the many Child & Family programs. She thanked all Child & Family volunteers which add up to over 15,000 hours of service last year. Highlighting community partners such as Centreville Bank, Ms. Berman said “With the support of the Centerville Bank Foundation our Bridge to Success Independent Living Program, which supports kids aging out of the foster care system has grown. To date this year we have served 15 youth and are currently servicing 11 young adults with housing support, job training, education, and life skills.”
During the evening, awards were given out to those who have gone above and beyond this past year. The 2019 Community Partner was given to the van Beuren Charitable Foundation. Accepting on behalf of the Foundation was Senior Program Officer, Thomas Brendler. The van Beuren Charitable Foundation has been supporting Child & Family for years and most recently with their in-home behavioral health counseling for Newport County Seniors though Child & Family’s Elder Program.
The 2019 Philanthropists of the Year was given to The Canepari Family. David and Diane Canepari have been strong supporters of Child & Family, in particular with their Supportive Housing program supporting families in need. Accepting on behalf of the family, Kimberly Rohm, Assistant Vice President at Gatehouse Management, Inc., who has worked for the family for over 30 years. Ms. Rohm stressed how the Canepari’s believe “it is not enough to provide a home, you need to help families keep it” and services offered through Child & Family is how families will do so.
The 2019 Volunteer of the Year was presented to Director of Community Service for Salve Regina University, Kelly Powers. Through her role at the University, Ms. Powers has recruited and coordinated hundreds of hours of volunteers each and every year. As a parent of four boys at Sandpipers Early Learning Center, Ms. Powers is deeply committed to the success of Child & Family, serving on many committees including parental advisory, events and fundraising initiatives.
The presentation concluded with recognition for all current Board of Director Members, past members, incoming and outgoing members, as well as Child & Family volunteers. A reception followed.
For more information about Child & Family, please contact Jennifer Whelihan at 401.848.4141 or jwhelihan@childandfamilyri.org or visit childandfamilyri.com
