Elder Abuse Awareness Advocates Honored
Saint Elizabeth Community recognized seventeen individuals who collaborated with the Haven for Elder Justice to respond to incidents of elder abuse during the past year. These community partners received awards as part of this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.
To view a Photo Gallery from the event, click here.
Matt Trimble, President & CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community, also acknowledged the Haven’s Director, Jeanne Gattegno, for her steadfast leadership since the program’s inception.
“The Saint Elizabeth Haven for Elder Justice collaborates with so many dedicated community partners, but none of it would be possible without the leadership of our program director, Jeanne Gattegno.”
Trimble related the many accomplishments attributed to Gattegno including expanding the safe shelter program, training hundreds of law enforcement officers, launching an elder abuse helpline and forming the Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice.
Trimble added, “Jeanne joined us with the intent of helping us for one year to increase awareness of Elder Abuse and Justice in our community. She remained with us for much more than a year and we are thankful for her commitment.”
Maria Cimini, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, spoke about the importance of amplifying the voices of our elder neighbors to ensure that they receive the care and assistance they need.
Last year, the Haven for Elder Justice served 229 victims of elder abuse with a wide range of services including providing shelter to 24 individuals.
For their contributions to this work, awards were presented to:
- Omayra Alvelo from RI Legal Services
- Steven Bagian, ESQ from RI Legal Services
- Corrinne Besaw from Hebert Health Center
- Jasmine Brunelle from Woonsocket Housing Authority
- Carmen Castillo from Hebert Health Center
- Aileen Cepeda from the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center
- Angela Dennett from the Office of Healthy Aging
- Mickaela Driscoll from the Office of the Attorney General
- Karen Faria from Hebert Health Center
- Tim Hammond from the Woonsocket Police Department
- Adela Hogan-Caron from RI Legal Services
- Dan Ormond from Tri-County Community Action
- Cadi Piontowski from Day One
- Linda Plays from Habitat for Humanity
- Joao Ramos from the Office of Healthy Aging
- Shirley Roy from the Crime Victim Compensation Program
- Linda Wheeler-Ominunu from Hebert Health Center
Click here for more about the Haven for Elder Justice.
