by Gail Elliott

In March the Missions Committee voted to donate $500 to “The Arc Rhode Island” in recognition of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

The Arc Rhode Island provides advocacy and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. To this end, Arc Rhode Island offers a Special Education Advocacy program which provides individualized guidance to parents and students to help them understand their rights, to review IEPs and 504 plans and to support them through school meetings.

Among their other programs Arc RI also offers guidance and support for individuals with disabilities who are transitioning from childhood into adulthood, caregiver su pportgrou ps and free Mental Health First Aid certification training.

We also continued supporting the Men’s Shelter in Woonsocket by providing a monthly hot mealto the men who are sheltering there. Those meals have provided, in conjunction with the Broaster House, throughout the months the shelter is open which is November through March.

Many thanks to Bob Meo and Steve Wowk who have been delivering these meals and to Sandy Gamache who has been providing special homemade desserts to top off each meal.