Membership Committee:  Chairman Cal Lord with Dan Alvino, Frank Celico and Caroline Maynard

Following up on Sgt Mourato's Bristol Lockbox program, our Club Board has voted to extend his program here in Westerly.  With the cooperation and support of McQuade's Ace Hardware, eight MasterLock 5400D lockboxes were purchased and delivered today to the Westerly Police Station. 

Officer Howard Mills, the Community Police Officer, met with President Kathryn.  Officer Mills works with the "At Risk Resident Program".  This program includes a database for "at risk residents" who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, other forms of dementia, or medical conditions that may cause an individual to wander or put themselves at risk.  If individuals are currently registered with any other organizations, it would still be beneficial to have them entered locally with the Westerly Police Dept to help that individual, should they need assistance.

 

If you know of someone who is "at risk" and can benefit from having a lockbox installed at their home, please contact the Westerly Police Department or Officer Mills at the non-emergency Phone Number 401.596.2022.  Our lockboxes are provided to residents in need free of charge.  Also, if other groups wish to donate lockboxes to the Westerly Police Department, please purchase them from McQuade's Ace Hardware.  We are being awarded special pricing.

 

Giulia, our Guest Speaker Monday evening, is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Author of "Navigating in the Dark."    Her practice, Dialect Psychotherapy LLC, operates in Mystic, CT at 12 Roosevelt Avenue.  Born in Italy, emigrated with her parents to the United States in 1968, Giulia was born with Macular Degeneration but didn't get this diagnosis until 1971.  Rising above many cruelties from her childhood because of her disease which left her legally blind, this little 4 foot 9 inch powerhouse graduated from Westerly High School, Cosmetology School, and in 2001 graduated summa cum laude with a  Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island.  This was followed with a Master of Science degree in Marital and Family Therapy.  As she told us her story, the point became very obvious.  She is courageous, resilient and fearless.  Her message - "NO ONE is unworthy of kindness, respect, justice and fairness in their life.  No disability should be the cause for anyone's rights to be compromised."  She tells her story to her patients so they can see that they are NOT alone.  She said in Navigating in the Dark, "you CAN find new ways of facing your challenges, and you CAN persevere and come back to create a life full of meaning and joy."

President-Elect Rona and Giulia

 

Giulia's book is available on Amazon.com for $15.99.  You can also contact Giulia at 860.333.2411 or gjaramillo@gmail.com for more information.