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EASTHAM HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Eastham, Massachusetts
October 14, 2008
The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Gail Hoffman at 7PM in the Small Meeting Room in Town Hall.
Present: Richard Dill, Lyn Chafetz, Mary Sedlock, Dilys Smith
Absent: Elaine Lipton, Gordon Major
After “housekeeping” business, including review of visitation responsibilities was completed, we began our interview with Patricia Beaulieu, the new Director, and Laura Weatherup of ECEC (Eastham Committee on Early Childhood). Patricia is an enthusiastic newcomer on the scene, and has definite plans for how such a program should run for the benefit of the children. She is developing a “This is US” community feeling among children and staff, emphasizing life skills and “kid ownership”. 38 children are registered, and the average attendance is 27; any special needs children applying would be included .It meets from 2:30-5:30 weekday afternoons. Homework, sports and a healthy snack are included. She is hoping to involve more volunteers, including possibly some high school students will come along as part of
their community service. The Committee continues to feel a sense of continuing hope and growth again in this new year.
HOMELESS PREVENTION COUNCIL, previously known as “Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Lower Cape Cod” or more familiarly as “Interfaith” was once again represented by Executive Director Christine Austin, who said that the name change was to meant to make it more obvious that their activities are meant to help PREVENT homelessness, though the situation sometimes arises and is shared with other area agencies; a great effort is being made not to duplicate efforts. Programs include Client Identity, Adopt-a-Family, Backpack-to School and In from the Streets among others.
New President Celia Calhoun represented the LOWER CAPE OUTREACH COUNCIL, which is personally familiar to all of us. Their new project this year has been the Hope Chest, a thrift shop on Main St. in Orleans. It is very successful so far; time will tell now that the summer visitors have departed. Their stated purpose is to help with emergency needs of families with limited incomes through cash assistance, food vouchers, clothing distribution, and food pantries in area communities. Some 1,700 Eastham “services” are recorded annually.
Changes were made to assignments (included in the revised October 7th minutes.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM. Next meeting: 7PM, October 21, 2008 in the Town Hall Small Meeting Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Dilys Smith, Clerk
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