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North Kingstown Department of Senior and Human Services
BEECHWOOD HOUSE SENIOR CENTER
Our Mission
To promote and maintain the enjoyment, well being, dignity and independence of
senior citizens age 55 and older by providing programs and services to meet
their present and future needs.
Belief Statement - We Believe That:
·
Older adults are valuable assets to the
community.
·
Older adults have unique needs, “characteristics”,
talents and interests.
·
The increasing number of older adults will
require more and varied services.
·
Enjoyment is a vital part of the aging process.
·
Older adults should have opportunities for
enrichment.
·
Social interactions and opportunities to
develop friendships are important components of successful aging.
Senior Center History
Beechwood House Senior
Center
The charming Victorian House overlooking the serenity of Narragansett Bay in Wickford,
RI has a fascinating background. It was originally part of a large farm (Updike Family)
from 1600's to the 1800's, changing only by family marriages. In 1872, Beriah H. Lawton
sold the land to Nancy A. Dyer. The deed stipulated that he and his heirs would retain all
seaweed and seadrift rights to the beach in front of the one acre as long as remaining
adjoining property was held by the original heirs. A son, Elisha Dyer, became Governor of
RI from 1897 to 1900. Beechwood House served as his summer residence. In 1921, it was sold
to C. Howard Tholl and it was then that it began its fame as an "Inn". Various
operations of this type occurred over the years by several families until 1968 when the
Town of North Kingstown obtained possession. In February, 1974, after much work by Senior
Citizens and Community friends, voters approved use of the Beechwood House for a Senior
Center. Extensive renovations occurred and in April 1975, the center officially opened.
Definition
of a Senior Center
Definition of a Senior Center
No longer do senior centers provide
only socialization opportunities. A senior center is a community focal point
where older adults come together for services and activities that reflect their
experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance
their dignity, support their independence, and encourage their involvement in
and with the senior center and the community.
As part of a comprehensive community
strategy to meet the needs of older adults, senior centers offer services and
activities within the senior center and outside the center, and they link
participants with resources offered by other agencies. Senior center programs
consist of a variety of individual and group services and activities.
Senior centers also serve as a
resource for the entire community for information on aging: support for family
caregivers, training professionals, lay leaders and students; and for developing
innovative approaches to addressing aging issues.
From: The National Institute of
Senior Centers Senior Center Self-Assessment and National Accreditation Manual
2004
Senior Center Staff
Director of Senior and Human Services:
Kathleen M. Carland
Assistant Director:
Marie K. Marcotte
Secretary/Transportation: Melissa Smith
Nutrition Services: Kim Sampson
Senior and Human Social Services:
Janet Galluccio, Coordinator
Marcia O'Connor, Social Service
Specialist
Bus Drivers: Harry
Oosterbaan, George Braley and Spencer Borden
- Telephone
401-294-3331
- Ext. 400
Director Senior and Human Services
- Ext. 401
Main Phone -Transportation
-
Ext. 403, 405 Older Adult Social
Services
-
Ext. 402
Trips/Programs
- Ext. 407
Seabreeze Dining
-
Ext. 330
Human Services (previously Welfare)
-
FAX
- 401-294-3020
- Street address
- 10 Beach Street, North Kingstown, RI 02852
- Mailing Address
- P.O. Box 313, North Kingstown, RI 02852
- Electronic mail
- General Information:
Senior and Human Services Director
Please feel free to browse and learn about our facility and our
services.
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