Since 1950, the Community Friends for Human Services, Inc. (CFHS) has been a resource for helping individuals in need. We have devoted ourselves to improving the quality of life for the mentally ill. We began our efforts at the Boston State Hospital. Lockers were provided at the old “P” building, giving dignity to 150 women. With this our innovations began. In response to seeing the patients’ improvement, the hospital administration placed lockers in additional buildings.
When deinstitutionalization took effect, we reached out to former patients in the community. The Boston After Five club, the Boston Evening Social Club, and the Therapeutic Community, provided a place to go in the evening for a meal and entertainment.
Our rent assistance program helped stave off homelessness until Section 8 subsidies could be arranged. Other innovations included a print shop and a sewing shop for pre-release patients. Here they learned the skills to help reestablish themselves in the community.
The following are some examples of the assistance we currently provide:
At the Geri-Day Adult Day Health Program, May Behavioral Health, Inc. (Geri-Day) we sponsor picnics and holiday parties. We have purchased recliners for the center as well as a washer and dryer. We provide educational games and videos for clients and respond to an annual wish list concerning future needs.
At the Wrentham Developmental Center, we arrange monthly programs for the clients. At this year’s holiday party, we provided gifts of small hand soap, hand creams, hats, gloves and socks. Clothing and needed furniture were also purchased. Every effort is made to respond to the needs of clients as presented to us by staff, clients, and families.
We also provide funds for the Department of Mental Health. We have provided money to purchase needed items for client projects, holiday parties, and field trips. Our past field trips have been to the theater, the circus, restaurants, amusement parks and sporting events. In addition, in the fall of 2008, we added a new program under the auspices of the Center for the Health and Development (the Center), the Atlantic Clubhouse, located in Quincy, MA. We have provided them with a new flat screen television and a combination DVD/VCR along with videos for viewing. Gifts and refreshments were also provided for holiday parties. We look forward to a long term relationship with and commitment to the Center.
At the Elizabeth Stone House for Battered Women and Children, starter sets of dishes, silverware and appliances have been provided to assist clients in independent living. Playground equipment, including sandboxes, have been donated for the children. This winter, twenty new sleds were donated, along with toys, games, books and stuffed animals. Holiday parties, camperships, and field trips are also provided for resident children. This is a most difficult time of transition and support is greatly needed.
We recently established a pet therapy program. We have two trained and certified therapy dogs which have thus far assisted with our work at Geri- Day.
We also work with the Hanover Police Department and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office providing funds and support to programs for youth. We purchased a van and other equipment for the D.A.R.E program and provided the food at D.AR.E Camp events. We have also established an annual memorial scholarship for outstanding students.
As an organization, we have come full circle, working with children, adolescents, adults, geriatric clients and families.