05/19/11 Lucy's Hearth Earns Accreditation for First Time in 27 Year History Former Lucy's Hearth Resident Tara D'Ambra Praised Lucy's for "feeling like home." Lucy’s Hearth, a 24-hour emergency shelter for women and children located in Middletown, Rhode Island, has earned accreditation for the first time in its 27 year history. A press conference was held at the shelter, an affiliate of Family Service of RI, to make the announcement. The Council on Accreditation (COA), based in New York, New York, is an independent international accreditor of behavioral health care and human service organizations.  The COA accreditation process involves a detailed analysis of an organization’s services as well as its administrative operations. These are measured against national best practices. “Accreditation is an opportunity to document to the women and children we serve, our government, corporate and individuals supporters, as well as the community at large, that Lucy’s Hearth is meeting the highest standards,” said Susan Erstling, PhD, president of the shelter’s board of directors.  “Congratulations to program director Jennifer Barrera and all the staff.  And we thank the community for supporting the work of Lucy’s Hearth for more than a quarter of a century.” “Our primary goal is to foster independence and help our residents gain the life skills necessary to live successful lives as self-sufficient women and competent parents,” said Ms. Barrera.  “We recognize that in addition to homelessness, the women we serve often lack coping and life management skills. We provide high school equivalency preparation classes, help the women build vocational skills and parenting skills, provide financial literacy training, help with housing searches and assist in finding employment.”  Lucy’s Hearth also provides transitional housing, and aftercare services for families after they leave the shelter. “We provide home visits and continue to work on parenting, financial management and other life skills,” she said.  Over the course of a year, Lucy’s Hearth shelters approximately 40 women and about 70 children, providing nearly 10,000 shelter and bed nights, and serving more than 20,000 meals. The average length of stay is three to six months, although some families have stayed as long as a year, due to the severe shortage of affordable housing. Lucy’s Hearth also heads a program providing homeless prevention and rapid rehousing services in Newport County. “One of the most unique things about Lucy’s Hearth is how it feels like home – Lucy’s is very family oriented,” said former resident  Tara D’Ambra. “My children and I were able to live like a family – the set up of the program allowed us to be a family and do things much like we would if we were living in our apartment.  My children got very close to the staff and to this day my daughter Olivia asks to call ‘Jenny, Jenn, Jenn’ at Lucy’s.” Congressman David Cicilline said, “Lucy’s Hearth’s work to help women and children who have fallen on hard times, who simply want a chance to put their lives together and change their circumstances for the better, is vital in these hard economic times.”  He commended Lucy’s Hearth on becoming accredited. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse extended his congratulations to Lucy’s Hearth. “Homelessness is a tragic circumstance faced by far too many Americans,” he said.  “I congratulate Lucy’s Hearth for earning their accreditation and thank them for their efforts to help empower women and children to get back on their feet and achieve lasting independence.” President of the State Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed congratulated Lucy’s Hearth. “For over 25 years, Lucy’s Hearth has provided a refuge for women in their greatest time of need. In addition to meeting the immediate need for shelter, the dedicated providers at Lucy’s Hearth help women get back on their feet, gain the skills needed to achieve long-term self-sufficiency, and find employment. Accreditation is a further recognition of the outstanding and effective services Lucy’s Hearth provides for women and children in need in our community.” “Accreditation is an amazing achievement for Lucy’s Hearth, and wonderful news for those who seek help there. As anyone familiar with Lucy’s Hearth already knows, it’s a place where women and children receive effective services from truly caring staff members who help them get back on their feet and into the community with the skills they need to be independent,” said State Representative Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), who has secured legislative grants this year and last year for the organization. Lucy’s Hearth was incorporated in 1984. In 2007 it became affiliated with Family Service of RI, a statewide human service and educational non-profit.   (END)