PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline and Noreen Shawcross of the R.I. Office of Housing & Community Development were among those honored at Crossroads Rhode Island’s annual meeting and awards ceremony last night.
Shawcross received the 2007 Marion F. Avarista Award in recognition of her years of advocacy for the homeless.
Cicilline was inducted into the Crossroads Leadership Hall of Fame in recognition of his longtime support for the homeless and for the development of affordable housing in Providence.
Anthony Patrick, a Crossroads volunteer and former homeless client who takes fresh pastry to agency clients each morning, regardless of weather, received the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. “I just want to give back to those who are where I myself have been,” he said.
The keynote address was by Crossroads client Normand Cartier, the subject of “Lost in Woonsocket,” a documentary produced by John Chester and Andre Miller of the Arts & Entertainment Network series “Random 1.” “Lost” tells the story of two homeless alcoholics found living in the woods by a film crew, whose members eventually succeed in reuniting the men with their families.
“It was absolutely by chance that I had the privilege to meet John Chester, and that he and his film crew gave of themselves to help me regain my life,” Cartier said. “I hope that my story … will encourage others who are homeless to seek the help of those who are willing to reach out to them.”
(The film will have its Rhode Island debut at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket. Tickets, $10, are available at the theater box office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by calling 762-4545.)
The meeting also featured the election of officers for 2007-2008, including Chairman Howard Sutton, the publisher, chairman and CEO of The Providence Journal Co. Elected as vice chairs were Dr. Michael Fine, physician operating officer at Hillside Family & Community Medicine, and physician in chief of family and community medicine at both Rhode Island and Miriam hospitals; Jack McConnell, a lawyer with Motley Rice LLC; and Gina Raimondo, a partner in Point Judith Capital. Also elected were Treasurer Marian Barrette, senior vice president of Citizens Bank, and Secretary Mary Leahey, regional vice president for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
New directors elected to the Crossroads board were Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian; Florence Crisp, an associate at Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge; Brad Dimeo, president of Dimeo Construction Co.; Joseph Fernandez, Providence City Solicitor; William F. Hatfield, Bank of America’s market president for Rhode Island; and James Mastors, CEO & co-owner of Mastors & Servant.
Crossroads Rhode Island is a nonprofit organization providing 24-hour services and support to homeless families and individuals. Additional information is available at www.crossroadsri.org.
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