Hannah Fogg and Joelle O’Rourke at Cape Cod Five’s Booth at Community Resource Day (Jeff Schlueter)
By Jeff Schlueter
Cape Cod Community College hosted Community Resource Day on Jan. 28, bringing together local organizations dedicated to supporting communities on Cape Cod and the Islands. Organized by the Student Wellness Department, the event provided students with opportunities to learn about available resources and get involved through volunteering, raising awareness, and offering their time and talents. Here is a selection of resources available as well as contact information:
Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition (CCNSC) focuses on preventing child abuse and neglect by supporting families, particularly grandparents and other caregivers raising children under difficult circumstances. Director, Beverly Costa-Ciavola, emphasized that the organization also provides parent education and support for fathers. Students can help raise awareness about CCNSC’s vital resources, which include group meetings, confidential conversations, and educational support.
For more information, contact director@capecoalition.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands recruits mentors known as “Bigs” through social media, community and business engagement and partnerships with local law enforcement, including the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office. According to Deb Martin, Community Engagement Coordinator, one of the most popular programs is the Lunch Buddies Program, where employees from partnering businesses receive extended lunch breaks to mentor students in schools across Plymouth, Yarmouth, Hyannis and Bourne. 4C’s students are highly encouraged and are welcome to become “Bigs” for the “Littles.”
For more information, contact: dmartin@capebigs.org.
Fenway Health provides free counseling and support services to the LGBTQ community, particularly for individuals affected by violence, intimidation or abuse. According to Ann Burke, RN, M.Ed., VRP Advocate, Fenway Health also supports individuals experiencing abuse within LGBTQ relationships. Students can offer help to Fenway Health by raising awareness of these crucial services to people they care about.
For more information, contact: aburke@fenwayhealth.org.
According to their website, Cape Cod Five provides support to area teachers in the form of educational mini grants and leadership and support for Habitat for Humanity and Boys & Girls Clubs. Additionally, Cape Cod Five offers corporate and foundation support to Barnstable County Human Services, Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund, Elder Services of Cape Cod, Housing Assistance Corporation, National Alliance on Mental Health, Cape Cod Health Care, A Baby Center, Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center and Gosnold Behavioral Health.
4C’s students can get involved with these initiatives by reaching out directly to these worthy agencies or by visiting the bank’s website. For more information, visit: capecodfive.com.
Cape Light Compact, focused on sustainability, was another key participant. The organization helps reduce utility bills for low-income families through free home energy assessments and rebates, according to Jason Bertrand, Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Their populat refrigerator rebate program has recently been taken off hold and is now active again. Students can raise awareness about these services and encourage families to take advantage of these energy-saving programs.
For more information, contact: info@capelightcompact.org.
Community Resource Day underscored the many ways students can contribute to their communities — whether through volunteering, sharing information or supporting fundraising efforts. The event also highlighted that while students may benefit from these services, they can also play a meaningful role in strengthening local organizations and their communities.
