FHHA needs senior volunteers to help and athletes for the team
PROVIDENCE, RI, February 6, 2012—The Federal Hill House Association (FHHA), an independent nonprofit organization serving the city’s largest multi-ethnic community, recently announced that it is sponsoring a Special Olympics team for athletes ages 8 to 15 through the agency’s Capital Region Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The athletes will participate in their first basketball tournament on February 25 and in track and field in the spring. FHHA needs athletes for the team and senior volunteers to coordinate activities year-round. FHHA took over organizing a community-based team after the Providence School Department stopped its involvement because of budget cuts.
Athletes and senior volunteers who want to participate can contact Pat Strezo (pstrezo@federalhillhouse.org), Federal Hill House’s RSVP coordinator at 401-421-1095/Extension 31. Volunteers can put in as much or as little time as they want.
The Federal Hill House Fire Hawks has already started practicing basketball skills. It is Providence’s only Special Olympics team. Head coach Ernest McNair, a former Providence College basketball player, works at the Federal Hill House Association’s Early Learning Center. The tournament on February 25 will take place at Providence Country Day School. Opening ceremonies start at 10:00 a.m.
The Special Olympics Rhode Island program provides more than 1,400 year-round sports training and athletic competitions for more than 2,700 athletes. It hosts over 40 local, regional, and statewide tournaments and competitions each year in 25 demonstration sports. It also includes the Unified Sports Program for athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, the Motor Activities Training Program for athletes with profound disabilities, Young Athletes Program, Healthy Athletes Program, and the Global Messenger Program for athletes who serve as spokespeople for Special Olympics. Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968.
Federal Hill House’s Capitol Region RSVP is part of the agency’s Senior and Social Services module. Established in 1973, FHHA’s senior module is among the state’s oldest. It provides a full menu of senior services, including educational lectures, films, and other events of interest to seniors such as shopping trips, bingo, movies at local theaters, and Tai Chi. The program also offers hot lunches to seniors through Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island Monday through Friday, with transportation provided for seniors who require it. Seniors take part in programs and serve as volunteers at the activities.
About the FHHA
The Federal Hill House Association is a Providence human services agency serving a diverse community and delivering a wide range of client-focused services. Founded in 1887, it served as a settlement house to help immigrants become acclimated to the New World and assimilate into the community. Today, the Federal Hill House has evolved into a multi-ethnic, social service nonprofit agency offering services designed to improve quality of life.
For more information about the Federal Hill House Association and its programs, contact the Federal Hill House Association, 9 Courtland Street, Providence, RI 02909, Tel: 401-421-4722. E-mail: fhh@federalhillhouse.org
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Contact:
Nina Pande
Federal Hill House Association
Tel: 401-421-0493
FAX: 401-421-0493
E-mail: ninapande@federalhillhouse.org
Web Site: www.federalhillhouse.org
