Child & Family Services Christens Its New “Home”

Child & Family Services finally has all of its community programs under one roof. And a very attractive roof it is, on a modern structure in a Valley Road location, with parking for 100 cars.

“We’re finally a one-stop shop,” said V.P. of Institutional Advancement Keith Tavares, adding that child care, substance abuse, family counseling, and services for the elderly are all available at the Center, a long dream of the 142-year-old agency.

Doreen Scanlon, Ruth Orthwein, Sharon Rust-Bottone and Kay Worden

To celebrate the Grand Opening of the Child & Family Community Center, Board members, community leaders, volunteers and sponsors gathered for cocktails, a tour, and a welcome by Doreen Scanlon, morning anchor for ABC6, who noted that 250 were fed and/or sheltered every night by Child & Family's exceptional programs.. Lee Merrill, Board President of CFS, thanked the corporate sponsors and project supporters, singling out Pat Sullivan, chairman of the building committee, for thoughtful decor, and Mary Jonstone and Peter Damon for helping to find the funds. He also cited Tony Chester for the staff lounge.

Jim Reed, Mary Ambrogi, Lee Merrill

Peter diBari, 30-year CEO of CFS, gave a very personal and feeling speech, thanking everyone involved, and stating that he “gets a lot of credit for what everyone else does.”

Visitors dined on hors d’oeuvres in the lounge, and toured the facility, which is designed like a village in miniature: There are rooms where services are provided and programs administered, and access from two central "streetscapes", one on each of two floors. These long spaces, paved in earth-toned tiles, traverse the building from one end to the other, and lead to community or conference rooms overlooking Easton's Pond. Child care rooms are bright, and scaled for children. Artwork is thoughtfully placed, and windows are large, filling the building with light.

Lee and Bill Ferreira with Lansdale Patterson

Director of housing for the City of Newport Jim Reed spoke with Mary Ambrogi, City Manager Ed Lavalle spoke with Schools Superintendent Jack Ambrogi, and Sister Jane Gerety, President of Salve Regina University conversed with Maureen Philbin. Sharon Rust-Bottone, Director of the Ophelia program for adolescent girls, conversed with Ruth Orthwein.

The reception was a remarkable outpouring of community spirit for an agency doing exceptional work.