Drive to Help Needy Veterans a Success

Family Service of Rhode Island recently concluded a community drive to assist needy veterans and their families. Many boxes of personal care items—such as toothpaste and shaving cream—were brought by community members to several Family Service of Rhode Island locations. 

 

(left to right) David Vargas and Jason Compagnone from the American Red Cross join Family Service
of Rhode Island's Jeanne Sherman and Providence College intern Jacquelyn Desrosiers in looking over
just a small portion of the donated items.

“The response was terrific,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, Family Service of Rhode Island chief executive officer.  “We are so thankful to the people of Rhode Island for this wonderful support of our men and women in uniform and their families.”

The campaign was headed by former Army sergeant Jeanne M. Sherman, MEd, CAGS, LMHC, clinical supervisor of Family Service of Rhode Island’s Children’s Treatment and Recovery Center, which works with military families with past, current or upcoming deployments.

Collected items were put into tote bags by the American Red Cross Youth Council and given to veterans in need as part of their “Totes of Hope” drive. “We are so thankful for Family Service of Rhode Island’s community outreach,” said Jason Campagnone, director of volunteer resources for the American Red Cross in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  “Many thanks to all who brought in the items to Family Service of Rhode Island.  They’ll never know, but their kindness and generosity will make a tremendous difference to veterans and their families."

Family Service of Rhode Island is a statewide non-profit human service and educational organization.  More information is available at www.familyserviceri.org.

Drop Off Items for Veterans in Need through Friday March 28.

Drop off personal care items and help veterans in need!

Through Friday, March 28, Family Service of Rhode Island will be collecting a range of personal care items to support needy veterans.

Items such as socks, toothbrushes, dental floss, shaving cream, deodorant, body wash, hand sanitizer and more.

Please click here for a complete list of items, drop-off locations, directions and times, as well as contact information.

Thank you!

Helping Military Veterans in Crisis Heal

 “Listening to veterans” is the theme of a training Family Service of Rhode Island and Psychological Centers are sponsoring Friday, May 24th, 9 a.m. until noon in the Governor’s State Room, on the second floor of the Rhode Island State House.

The training, which is geared to mental health professionals, concerned community members and friends and family members of veterans, is entitled “The Welcome Johnny and Jane Home Project, Helping Veterans Heal in Non-pathologizing, Low-risk Ways.”

Welcoming the trainees will be Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts. "I can't think of a more wonderful way to engage family, friends and community in the lives of veterans than 'The Welcome Johnny and Jane Home Project.' The trainings offer an enhanced understanding of how to support veterans in their healing process, helping us to strengthen and improve our relationships and connections,” she said.

 Also attending will be Major General Kevin R. McBride, the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard.

Attendees will be trained to better understand the scope of problems veterans experience, and why traditional approaches of therapy and medication are not enough. Attendees will also be provided with alternatives that both therapists and non-therapists can use to help veterans—and their loved ones—toward healing. Anyone interested in helping veterans adjust to their return home will find the training and the Welcome Johnny and Jane Home Project useful.

Paula J. Caplan, Ph.D., who has worked with veterans for more than a decade, will be leading the training. She is a clinical and research psychologist and associate at Harvard University’s DuBois Institute. Dr. Caplan is also an advocate, activist, and author. Her latest book, When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home: How All of Us Can Help Veterans, earned three national awards, including the prestigious PROSE Award for Best Psychology Book of 2011 from the Association of American Publishers. Dr. Caplan created and coordinates “The Welcome Johnny and Jane Home Project,” and “The Welcome Johnny and Jane Home Coalition,” both working to end disconnection between war veterans and their home communities.

The program offers continuing education credits for psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists. The cost for non-students is $55; students, $25. Advanced registration is required. To register, call 401-490-8900, ce@psychologicalcenters.com. On-line registration is available by clicking here.

 The training is free to all not seeking continuing education credits. Registration is available by calling 401-490-8900 or emailing ce@psychologicalcenters.com.