Cranston Chatter

By MERI R. KENNEDY
Posted 1/4/19

Center Receives Community Awareness Grant   Cranston Senior Services received a $10,000 community awareness grant to focus on Alzheimer’s and Age Related Impairments. The grant will …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Cranston Chatter

Posted

Center Receives Community Awareness Grant
 
Cranston Senior Services received a $10,000 community awareness grant to focus on Alzheimer’s and Age Related Impairments. The grant will increase awareness and understanding of memory loss and aging, decline with aging, cognitive impairment and other related dementia. This is one of 27 projects funded by the Momentum Fund of Tufts Health Plan Foundation in Rhode Island, Massachusetts & New Hampshire. The Fund was established to foster new ideas and advance the movement to make cities and towns better places to grow up and grow old.
 
The scope of work will include offering a series of presentations/workshops to varied sectors of the community, including caregivers, individuals suffering from dementia, first responders and business outlets serving the public. The principal constituency is the elderly population within the city. As the second largest city in the state with a population of over 81,000, Cranston totals 29% of its population over 55 years of age, with 21% being 60 years of age or older.
 
The City of Cranston will be enhancing its Age-Friendly efforts through programs offered by the Department of Senior Services, Senior Housing, Adult Day Care Centers, Community Action Program and Assisted Living and nursing home facilities.
 
Senior Services Membership Drive
 
Cranston Department of Senior Services Membership Drive 2019 begins Jan. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for those age 55+. Both Renewal & New Memberships are welcome! Cranston Residents: Only $10 and $12 per each per non-Cranston resident. For more information, please call 401-780-6000.
 
Hall Rental
 
St. David’s on the Hill Episcopal Church located at 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway in Cranston is now offering affordable rates for your next special occasion. Upper and lower halls for events of all kinds.
 
For more information; Please see their website at www.stdavidsonthehill.net/hall-rental or contact the church office Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or call 401-942-4368 to schedule a personal visit.
 
At the Senior Center
 
The Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St., will offer the following programs and activities:
 
A URI SNAP Outreach Center will offer a Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 10 at the Senior Center. SNAP is a federal program that provides nutritional assistance to low-income households. Have questions or concerns regarding your SNAP benefits?  Want to find out if you are eligible for benefits or eligible for more benefits?  This “first come first served clinic” is for you.  A representative from URI SNAP will be here to answer your questions.
 
Arthritis Exercise Classes, which is a six-week program for better living will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:15 p.m. The program begins Jan. 22 to Feb. 28. Arthritis Exercise Classes with their certified instructors are back twice a week.  You may think that exercise and arthritis don’t go hand-in-hand, however, research has shown that exercise is essential in managing arthritis.  Exercising reduces joint pain and stiffness, increases flexibility and endurance, help you sleep better, increases your energy and simply helps you feel better!  Register now for these free classes call 780-6000.
 
Transvan, Cranston’s Senior Transportation System, continues to bring seniors on errands, doctor’s appointments, testing, etc. For $25 you can get a one-month appt. For more information call 401-780-6218 or 401-943-3341.
 
Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) will provides comprehensive, quality, affordable care for the entire family.  Professional staff from “next Door” will at the Center on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.to explain the varied services and programs that are available through CCAP. Held Be sure to join us for this informative presentation.
 
Reminisce Group will meet on Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Travel down memory lane as a new year has begun. Admission is free, and you may bring a friend.
 
Client Choice Food Bank now available at CCAP
 
CCAP’s (Comprehensive Community Action, Inc.) food bank is now a client choice food bank! What is a Client Choice Food Bank? A client choice food bank allows clients to select their food instead of receiving a pre-packed or standard bag of groceries. They are not given items they have already, do not like, or cannot eat for health or personal reasons.
 
Why give clients a choice? Imagine your family needs food. Your kitchen has some items but not enough to make meals for the next few days. You need to visit a food pantry. When you go to the food pantry, you are handed a pre-packed or standard bag with food you already have at home. There are also some items your family does not like. You’re not sure what to do with the food. If you had been able to choose the foods you need and like, your family could have enjoyed a well-rounded, nutritious meal.
 
Every month, the CCAP Food Bank serves over 800 families. They need your help. They would like for you to join in lending a helping hand by hosting a CCAP food drive in your church, work place, service group, school or community.
 
For more information about CCAP and how you can “lend a helping hand” go to our website, www.ComCap.org or contact Joanne Gregory, Vice President of Social Services at 401-562-8333.  
 
Baby Book Boogie!
 
Hosted by Oak Lawn Branch, Cranston Public Library, Baby Book Boogie will be held every Friday morning beginning Jan. 11.
 
Children ages 0-2 and their caregivers are invited to help a book come to life through music and movement. We will also sing and dance along to favorite childhood songs. Registration is not required, but they will give out free tickets half an hour before the program upon opening at 10 am. Limited to 25 children and their caregiver.
 
The Oaklawn Library is located at 230 Wilbur Ave. For more information, call 401-942-1787.
 
Ms. Wheelchair RI 2019
 
On Feb. 8 there will be a competition for Ms. Wheelchair RI. All contestants must be at least 21 years of age, use a wheelchair 100% of the time in public, great personality. willing to advocate and education RI and beyond.
 
This is not a beauty contest but rather a competition of advocacy and education.
The event will be held at the Imperial Room at 1 Rhodes Place in Cranston on Feb. 8. Vendor tables are $25 each with a limited amount of tables and no duplication of items. Tables will be given on a first come, first serve basis.
 
If you want to be a sponsor the fees are $25for your name in the program; $50 for an ad in the program; $100 for ½ page in program and $150 for ad in program and on all promotional material and mention in all press releases.
 
For more information, contact Tina Guenette Pedersen at her work charity at Mswheelchairri2018@yahoo.com.
 
Cranston library offers free home delivery of books
 
The Cranston Public Library will deliver anything that has a three-week loan period. Patrons never pay a late fee or fine, because they pick up all the materials within that 3-week time frame.
 
The volunteers deliver books (in regular or large print), audiobooks, magazines, music CDs and documentary DVDs to any homebound Cranston resident living in their own home.
 
Due to concerns about ‘chain of custody’ they are unable to deliver to nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
 
Call Karen McGrath at 401-781-6116 or email her at karenmcgrath@cranstonlibrary.org, to register for the service or become a volunteer driver.
 
Free Yoga for breast cancer survivors
 
The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation and Yoga at Studio Exhale offers yoga for breast cancer survivors every Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
 
Yoga at Studio Exhale, 1263 Oaklawn Ave, Cranston is the place to be to explore slow flow, gentle movement to create space in the body and eliminate stress. This class is designed to restore the nervous system and help release deeply held tensions from the body and mind. Visit GloriaGemma.org for more details.
 
Did You Know?
 
January was originally the eleventh month, not the first, until at least 153 B.C. The month was named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future. (Source: January Fun Facts)
 
To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. Be sure to check out our website at www.cranstononline.com.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here