Partners for a Healthier Community

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Community Coalitions

Numerous coalitions and interconnecting groups meet throughout Fall River to organize and carry out many tasks necessary to providing health and human services. Some of these groups are listed below with the most recent contact information available. Please notify the webmaster if you have more current information or additions or deletions to this list. Note: All meeting times listed are based on the most recent report. Please check with the contact person before attending any meeting as specific times and locations may have changed since this listing.

This list was last updated on February 27, 2012

Access to Health Care Task Force

B.O.L.D. Coalition

Fall River Adult Literacy Partnership

Greater Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition

Greater Fall River Child Protection Council

Greater Fall River Council of Churches

Greater Fall River Coalition for Health and Well Being

Green Futures

Healthy City Fall River
Design Team

Healthy Families Collaborators Meeting

Youth CHOICES Task Force

Homeless Service Providers Coalition

Mayor's Task Force to End Homelessness

Multi-Cultural Health Committee

Parks Advocacy Network

Peaceful Coalition

United Interfaith Action

United Neighbors

The Access to Health Care task force is a subcommittee of the Partners for a Healthier Community. The goal of this Work Group is to promote the health and wellness of the community through voluntary, collaborative participation of health and human service providers with the goal of linking under served community members in Greater Fall River and to increase access to health education, primary care health screenings and referral services.

Group meets 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of every month (except July) at HealthFirst Family Care Center, 102 County Street, Fall River.

Contact Chairperson Paula Harrison at HealthFirst Family Care Center at 508-679-9376

BOLD is a substance abuse prevention coalition comprised of community volunteers, agency representatives, educators, city government, school representatives and youth. We are all working together to create a healthy community for our young people to live in. We use evidence-based programs and practices to accomplish our objectives. We currently have five subcommittees and an Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is made up of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Coalition as well as the chairpersons of each of these subcommittees: Advisory Board ,Mission/Vision , Data, Events Planning, Communications and TADA! (Teens Against Drug Abuse).

Advisory Board and other committees meet at various times as scheduled.
Contact BOLD Director Craig Gaspard at 508-324-3537

The Fall River Adult Literacy Partnership is a coalition of organizations, educational institutions and businesses who are committed to developing quality literacy services for adults who could benefit from basic skill instruction in order to meet their needs as parents, workers, citizens and lifelong learners. Their goal is to increase the membership of relevant constituencies in the Fall River Adult Literacy Partnership in order to develop the capacity to expand ABE and ESOL classroom opportunities and support services.

Meets monthly at Bristol Community College
Contact Victor Tavares, SER-Jobs for Progress, 508-676-1916.

The Domestic Violence Coalition brings together organizations and people committed to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. We create social change by addressing the root causes of this violence, and promote justice, safety and healing for survivors. The Coalition advocates for responsive public policy, promotes collaboration, raises public awareness, and supports our member organizations to provide comprehensive prevention and intervention services. We are guided by the voices of survivors.

Meets the last Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at Bristol Elders, Father Devalles Blvd.
Contact Cathie Phillips, SSTAR Women's Center, 508-324-3530

The Child Protection Council is an organization of many professionals and their sponsoring agencies who volunteer their time and skills to provide needed programs for the Fall River Area. The Council's activities provide opportunities for community services to come together and jointly assess community resources, discuss community needs, and plan programs. The commitment and concerns of the community professionals for the welfare of children and families are the foundation of the council. The Council has representatives from approximately 25 organizations.

Meets 1st Wednesday of the month at 10:30 in the Nannery Conference Room, Sainte Anne's Hospital, Forest Street entrance.
Contact Co-chair co-chairpersons Pat Reardon or Laura Dellaire at People, Inc. at 508-679-5233

The Council of Churches brings a dozen or more local pastors together for scheduled meetings throughout the year.

Contact Rev. Donald S. Mier at 508-672-5381.

The Greater Fall River Coalition for Health and Well Being is an ad hoc group formed in response to the challenges posed by homeless families living in local motels while they await placement in permanent housing. The group is working on finding donations of clothing and personal care items as well as looking for transportation and options for recreation for the children who are living in very restrictive environments. Anyone with an interest in problem-solving for this at-risk population is welcome to attend our meetings. Contact Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900 for the date and time of the next meeting.

Contact Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900

Green Futures is a non-profit educational and advocacy organization of people who share a concern for the protection of our shared environment. All communities are entitled to clean air, clean water and sufficient open space for the continued presence of their indigenous wildlife and habitats. Green Futures knows environmental stewardship leads to sustainable communities, stable economies and a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. We follow the axiom, “think global, act local”.

Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Union United Methodist Church, corner of Highland Ave.& Pearce St., Fall River, usually the third Thursday of each month. Check the calendar for details.
E-mail info@greenfutures.org

The Design Team is made up of dozens of individuals representing a broad array of groups and activities that contribute to the health of the Fall River community. Members of the Team meet quarterly to review the progress of the Healthy City Fall River process and to make recommendations to the Planning Team, a smaller group composed of representatives of the Mayor’s Office, the Fall River Department of Health and Human Services, Partners for a Healthier Community and the Southeastern Center for Healthy Communities. The role of the Design Team is to interpret the input of the community, to help shape a plan of action and to evaluate the overall progress of the initiative.

Meets from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.. on the 3rd Thursday of January, March, June, and September at SSTAR, 386 Stanley Street, FR

Dr. David S. Weed (508-324-2411) chairs the workgroup.

Providers who provide a range of services for children funded by the Mass. Dept. of Public Health meet together to share information and resources relevant to their services.

Meets every 6 weeks at 10:30 a.m. at 636 Rock Street
Contact Laura Dellaire, Director-Healthy Families/EIPP at 508-679-3078, X11

The focus of the Youth CHOICES Task Force is on all issues that affect youth, including youth substance abuse and violence prevention and any intervention involved in preventing youth risk behaviors. This work group works closely with school systems to ensure an integration between school-based and over thirty community programs.

Meets on the first Wednesday of the month (except July and August), at 3:30 p.m. at CD-REC, 72 Bank Street (see calendar for schedule of meetings)
Co-Coordinators: Christian McCloskey and Jamison Souza.

Representatives of organizations who provide services to the Fall River homeless population meet monthly to discuss issues and concerns.

Meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 228 N. Main Street, Fall River.
Contact Mary Camara, Planning and Housing Coordinator at 508-679-0131.

Fall River has joined a growing list of cities around the country that are participating in a national movement to end homelessness. The Mayor’s task force includes representatives of homeless service providers, the health care community, religious organizations, neighborhood organizations, consumers and law enforcement. This group is charged with developing a ten-year plan to end homelessness in the City of Fall River. The project is based on concepts developed by the Federal Interagency Council on Homelessness and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Meets most months at 9:00 a.m. at the Citizens-Union Bank.
Contact Fall River Health and Human Resources Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt at 508-324-2404 or C-U Bank President Nicholas Christ at 508-678-7641.

The group is comprised of community leaders, members of the Cambodian, Hispanic and Portuguese communities, hospital staff, and trustees. Access to health care, communication barriers and a need for a better understanding of the different cultures of our Greater Fall River community have been addressed. The committee has been credited with a number of significant accomplishments providing health topics related to cultural groups, courses in English as a second language and practical Portuguese; hiring of bilingual personnel and offering annually, six $500 multicultural scholarships to employees, employee relatives, and community members on the basis of set criteria including residency in the Greater Fall River area, pursuing a degree in nursing and/or health care related profession, and being bicultural and/or bilingual.

Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Nannery Conference Room, Saint Anne's Hospital, Forest Street entrance.
Contact Saint Anne's Social Work Services, 508-674-5600, X2280

This group holds monthly meetings at Government Center, to develop a network of groups and individuals committed to the protection, preservation and planning for the future of Fall River�s parks and open spaces. The group is in the process of bringing the collective voices of the Board of Parks and Cemeteries, the Friends of Heritage State Park, the Friends of Oak Grove Cemetery, the Street Tree Planting Program, the Fall River Garden Club, the Watuppa Water Board, the Trustees of Reservations, Green Futures, Partners for a Healthier Community, and each of the ten neighborhood associations together to form a single interest group to support all of the pubic parks and open spaces in the City.

Contact Sandy Dennis at 508-673-2939 for meeting dates and times.

Comprised of a diverse population of teenage boys ages 14-19 representing the spectrum of Fall River's ethnic and racial demographics, the Coalition works to create a safe, violence-free school and community. The group visits, speaks to and mentors groups of elementary and middle school students throughout the City on issues of gangs, violence, healthy choices and values.

Meets most Fridays during the school year at B.M.C. Durfee High School.

Contact Paul Leite, Michaela Hertzler, or Thomas Khoury, Student Advisors, 508-235-2694

United Interfaith Action was founded in 1995 by clergy from Fall River and New Bedford to address the serious problems facing our families and neighborhoods. UIA works with members to develop their leadership skills to enable them to be active in public affairs. We are inspired by the democratic values of American history and the faith values of our different religious traditions. We are dedicated to promoting justice and improving the quality of life for all residents of Southeastern Massachusetts. UIA has involved parents in after school issues, youth in education issues, and workers in job training issues.

Meets at 7:00 p.m. at various churches as scheduled
Contact organizer Scott Spencer at 508-673-467

The United Neighbors Community Partnership (UNCP) is a collaboration of over 40 community and state agency representatives, religious leaders, local government staff and concerned citizens. We are committed to promoting a strong, healthy and safe community which will assist families in the promotion of domestic peace and tranquility, optimum growth and development of our children and secure and stable family environments. As a Coalition we will strive to coordinate and build on existing resources in an effort to develop strong, sustainable family support systems.

Meetings are usually held on the first Monday of every other month at 9:45 a.m. in the chapel of St. Vincent's Home, 2425 Highland Ave, Fall River. Contact Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp for current information.
United Families is located at 209 Bedford Street, Suite 401, Fall River (508)324-7900


	HOME \| ORGANIZATION \| TASK FORCES \| INITIATIVES \| NEEDS ASSESSMENT \| RESOURCES \| COALITIONS Community Coalitions Numerous coalitions and interconnecting groups meet throughout Fall River to organize and carry out many tasks necessary to providing health and human services. Some of these groups are listed below with the most recent contact information available. Please notify the webmaster if you have more current information or additions or deletions to this list. Note: All meeting times listed are based on the most recent report. Please check with the contact person before attending any meeting as specific times and locations may have changed since this listing.
This list was last updated on February 27, 2012
Access to Health Care Task Force B.O.L.D. Coalition Fall River Adult Literacy Partnership Greater Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition Greater Fall River Child Protection Council Greater Fall River Council of Churches Greater Fall River Coalition for Health and Well Being Green Futures Healthy City Fall River Design Team Healthy Families Collaborators Meeting Youth CHOICES Task Force Homeless Service Providers Coalition Mayor's Task Force to End Homelessness Multi-Cultural Health Committee Parks Advocacy Network Peaceful Coalition United Interfaith Action United Neighbors
	The Access to Health Care task force is a subcommittee of the Partners for a Healthier Community. The goal of this Work Group is to promote the health and wellness of the community through voluntary, collaborative participation of health and human service providers with the goal of linking under served community members in Greater Fall River and to increase access to health education, primary care health screenings and referral services.	Group meets 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of every month (except July) at HealthFirst Family Care Center, 102 County Street, Fall River. Contact Chairperson Paula Harrison at HealthFirst Family Care Center at 508-679-9376
	BOLD is a substance abuse prevention coalition comprised of community volunteers, agency representatives, educators, city government, school representatives and youth. We are all working together to create a healthy community for our young people to live in. We use evidence-based programs and practices to accomplish our objectives. We currently have five subcommittees and an Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is made up of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Coalition as well as the chairpersons of each of these subcommittees: Advisory Board ,Mission/Vision , Data, Events Planning, Communications and TADA! (Teens Against Drug Abuse).	Advisory Board and other committees meet at various times as scheduled. Contact BOLD Director Craig Gaspard at 508-324-3537
	The Fall River Adult Literacy Partnership is a coalition of organizations, educational institutions and businesses who are committed to developing quality literacy services for adults who could benefit from basic skill instruction in order to meet their needs as parents, workers, citizens and lifelong learners. Their goal is to increase the membership of relevant constituencies in the Fall River Adult Literacy Partnership in order to develop the capacity to expand ABE and ESOL classroom opportunities and support services.	Meets monthly at Bristol Community College Contact Victor Tavares, SER-Jobs for Progress, 508-676-1916.
	The Domestic Violence Coalition brings together organizations and people committed to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. We create social change by addressing the root causes of this violence, and promote justice, safety and healing for survivors. The Coalition advocates for responsive public policy, promotes collaboration, raises public awareness, and supports our member organizations to provide comprehensive prevention and intervention services. We are guided by the voices of survivors.	Meets the last Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at Bristol Elders, Father Devalles Blvd. Contact Cathie Phillips, SSTAR Women's Center, 508-324-3530
	The Child Protection Council is an organization of many professionals and their sponsoring agencies who volunteer their time and skills to provide needed programs for the Fall River Area. The Council's activities provide opportunities for community services to come together and jointly assess community resources, discuss community needs, and plan programs. The commitment and concerns of the community professionals for the welfare of children and families are the foundation of the council. The Council has representatives from approximately 25 organizations.	Meets 1st Wednesday of the month at 10:30 in the Nannery Conference Room, Sainte Anne's Hospital, Forest Street entrance. Contact Co-chair co-chairpersons Pat Reardon or Laura Dellaire at People, Inc. at 508-679-5233
	The Council of Churches brings a dozen or more local pastors together for scheduled meetings throughout the year.	Contact Rev. Donald S. Mier at 508-672-5381.
	The Greater Fall River Coalition for Health and Well Being is an ad hoc group formed in response to the challenges posed by homeless families living in local motels while they await placement in permanent housing. The group is working on finding donations of clothing and personal care items as well as looking for transportation and options for recreation for the children who are living in very restrictive environments. Anyone with an interest in problem-solving for this at-risk population is welcome to attend our meetings. Contact Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900 for the date and time of the next meeting.	Contact Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900
	Green Futures is a non-profit educational and advocacy organization of people who share a concern for the protection of our shared environment. All communities are entitled to clean air, clean water and sufficient open space for the continued presence of their indigenous wildlife and habitats. Green Futures knows environmental stewardship leads to sustainable communities, stable economies and a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. We follow the axiom, “think global, act local”.	Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Union United Methodist Church, corner of Highland Ave.& Pearce St., Fall River, usually the third Thursday of each month. Check the calendar for details. E-mail info@greenfutures.org
	The Design Team is made up of dozens of individuals representing a broad array of groups and activities that contribute to the health of the Fall River community. Members of the Team meet quarterly to review the progress of the Healthy City Fall River process and to make recommendations to the Planning Team, a smaller group composed of representatives of the Mayor’s Office, the Fall River Department of Health and Human Services, Partners for a Healthier Community and the Southeastern Center for Healthy Communities. The role of the Design Team is to interpret the input of the community, to help shape a plan of action and to evaluate the overall progress of the initiative.	Meets from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.. on the 3rd Thursday of January, March, June, and September at SSTAR, 386 Stanley Street, FR Dr. David S. Weed (508-324-2411) chairs the workgroup.
	Providers who provide a range of services for children funded by the Mass. Dept. of Public Health meet together to share information and resources relevant to their services.	Meets every 6 weeks at 10:30 a.m. at 636 Rock Street Contact Laura Dellaire, Director-Healthy Families/EIPP at 508-679-3078, X11
	The focus of the Youth CHOICES Task Force is on all issues that affect youth, including youth substance abuse and violence prevention and any intervention involved in preventing youth risk behaviors. This work group works closely with school systems to ensure an integration between school-based and over thirty community programs.	Meets on the first Wednesday of the month (except July and August), at 3:30 p.m. at CD-REC, 72 Bank Street (see calendar for schedule of meetings) Co-Coordinators: Christian McCloskey and Jamison Souza.
	Representatives of organizations who provide services to the Fall River homeless population meet monthly to discuss issues and concerns.	Meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 228 N. Main Street, Fall River. Contact Mary Camara, Planning and Housing Coordinator at 508-679-0131.
	Fall River has joined a growing list of cities around the country that are participating in a national movement to end homelessness. The Mayor’s task force includes representatives of homeless service providers, the health care community, religious organizations, neighborhood organizations, consumers and law enforcement. This group is charged with developing a ten-year plan to end homelessness in the City of Fall River. The project is based on concepts developed by the Federal Interagency Council on Homelessness and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.	Meets most months at 9:00 a.m. at the Citizens-Union Bank. Contact Fall River Health and Human Resources Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt at 508-324-2404 or C-U Bank President Nicholas Christ at 508-678-7641.
	The group is comprised of community leaders, members of the Cambodian, Hispanic and Portuguese communities, hospital staff, and trustees. Access to health care, communication barriers and a need for a better understanding of the different cultures of our Greater Fall River community have been addressed. The committee has been credited with a number of significant accomplishments providing health topics related to cultural groups, courses in English as a second language and practical Portuguese; hiring of bilingual personnel and offering annually, six $500 multicultural scholarships to employees, employee relatives, and community members on the basis of set criteria including residency in the Greater Fall River area, pursuing a degree in nursing and/or health care related profession, and being bicultural and/or bilingual.	Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Nannery Conference Room, Saint Anne's Hospital, Forest Street entrance. Contact Saint Anne's Social Work Services, 508-674-5600, X2280
	This group holds monthly meetings at Government Center, to develop a network of groups and individuals committed to the protection, preservation and planning for the future of Fall River�s parks and open spaces. The group is in the process of bringing the collective voices of the Board of Parks and Cemeteries, the Friends of Heritage State Park, the Friends of Oak Grove Cemetery, the Street Tree Planting Program, the Fall River Garden Club, the Watuppa Water Board, the Trustees of Reservations, Green Futures, Partners for a Healthier Community, and each of the ten neighborhood associations together to form a single interest group to support all of the pubic parks and open spaces in the City.	Contact Sandy Dennis at 508-673-2939 for meeting dates and times.
	Comprised of a diverse population of teenage boys ages 14-19 representing the spectrum of Fall River's ethnic and racial demographics, the Coalition works to create a safe, violence-free school and community. The group visits, speaks to and mentors groups of elementary and middle school students throughout the City on issues of gangs, violence, healthy choices and values.	Meets most Fridays during the school year at B.M.C. Durfee High School. Contact Paul Leite, Michaela Hertzler, or Thomas Khoury, Student Advisors, 508-235-2694
	United Interfaith Action was founded in 1995 by clergy from Fall River and New Bedford to address the serious problems facing our families and neighborhoods. UIA works with members to develop their leadership skills to enable them to be active in public affairs. We are inspired by the democratic values of American history and the faith values of our different religious traditions. We are dedicated to promoting justice and improving the quality of life for all residents of Southeastern Massachusetts. UIA has involved parents in after school issues, youth in education issues, and workers in job training issues.	Meets at 7:00 p.m. at various churches as scheduled Contact organizer Scott Spencer at 508-673-467
	The United Neighbors Community Partnership (UNCP) is a collaboration of over 40 community and state agency representatives, religious leaders, local government staff and concerned citizens. We are committed to promoting a strong, healthy and safe community which will assist families in the promotion of domestic peace and tranquility, optimum growth and development of our children and secure and stable family environments. As a Coalition we will strive to coordinate and build on existing resources in an effort to develop strong, sustainable family support systems.	Meetings are usually held on the first Monday of every other month at 9:45 a.m. in the chapel of St. Vincent's Home, 2425 Highland Ave, Fall River. Contact Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp for current information. United Families is located at 209 Bedford Street, Suite 401, Fall River (508)324-7900