Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2014

More than 250 people gathered to support The Providence Center (TPC) at its annual “Circle of Stars” event on October 21 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The event raised over $185,000 to support mental health and substance use services for adults, children and families. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 328, long-time supporters of The Providence Center, and Simmy Carter, Associate Director of the Early Childhood Institute and Director of Imagine Preschool, both TPC programs, were honored at the event.

“It is an honor to recognize great partners like the UFCW and visionary program leaders like Simmy Carter,” said Dale K. Klatzker, Ph.D., president/CEO of The Providence Center. “This event allows us to thank those who generously support The Providence Center and to celebrate the positive impact programs like the Early Childhood Institute make on the lives of Rhode Islanders every day.”

In addition to recognizing donors for their support of The Providence Center, Klatzker spoke about the mission and vision of TPC.  

“We believe that mental health is a part of overall health. Treating it separately from a patient’s other needs is ineffective. We believe in care that is comprehensive because we know that effective mental health treatment cannot happen unless it’s coupled with primary medical care, safe housing, and meaningful employment,” said Klatzker.

Speaking about the Center’s deep commitment to helping individuals with substance use disorders, Klatzker emphasized the importance or recovery services. “Access to treatment is critical, but treatment alone isn’t the answer. Recovery isn’t going to happen for someone after just an hour or two a week of counseling appointments. That’s not enough. Recovery happens when treatment is paired with supports that help clients apply their new skills for healthy living.”   

UFCW Union, Local 328 has been a supporter of The Providence Center since 2009. In 2013, it was a major contributor to the Center’s new homeless veterans program, Joyce House, that provides housing, employment assistance, intensive mental health and substance use treatment, and other essential services to veterans.  Since 1973, the UFCW Union, Local 328 has been dedicated to the community ant is members, helping people in need through food drives, scholarship programs, and other campaigns.

In presenting the award for philanthropy, Klatzker cited the UFCW Union, Local 328, as “an organization with a rich history of making important contributions to our community.  They began in 1937 with just a few members who wanted to change things. Since then, Local 328 has grown to over 12,000 members serving the needs of workers in retail food, institutional food, health care, banking, transportation and manufacturing to name a few. To this day they remain deeply committed to the mission of supporting working families.”

Jim Riley, Secretary-Treasurer, accepted on behalf of the members of UFCW Union, Local 328. Klatzker presented Riley with an original painting created by a resident of Joyce House titled “Liberty.”   “The men and women of the UFCW are justly proud of our tradition of giving back to the community,” said Riley. “We are pleased to have this commitment celebrated and recognized, and I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of our 12,000 members.”

Carter was honored for the work of the Early Childhood Institute and Imagine Preschool where, as Klatzker said, “children develop critical emotional and behavioral skills, and parents practice how to manage and understand their child’s behavior.”  Klatzker praised Carter’s professional dedication to children anchored by the belief that “each child has the potential to be the best kid and every parent be the best parent. At the Early Childhood Institute, Simmy helps families feel a sense of hope so they can be empowered to make positive changes in their lives.” 

Klatzker presented Carter with a steppingstone created by children in the Early Childhood Institute that will be installed in the playground at our Child and Family location on Hope Street.