Mayor Taveras Holds 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch, Announces Maria Oliveira as Volunteer of the Year

City recognizes work of 150 senior volunteers.

Speaking at the second annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch, Mayor Angel Taveras honored 150 Providence senior volunteers and announced Maria Oliveira as Volunteer of the Year.

"We appreciate the many contributions of Maria Oliveira's and all of our senior volunteers who work to support our senior citizens," said Mayor Taveras.

Maria Oliveira has volunteered at the Fox Point Senior Center for more than five years and visits the center every day. She participates in all programs, serves food, cleans and assists in many other ways.

More than 100 volunteers, senior center directors, building managers and resident coordinators attended the event, which also included remarks from Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO of PACE Organization of Rhode Island and CareLink, Catherine Taylor, director of the Division of Elderly Affairs, Rhode Island Department of Human Services, and Bernie Beaudreau, executive director of Serve Rhode Island.

Providence's 10 senior centers include Federal Hill Community Center; Fox Point Senior Center; Hamilton House; Jewish Community Center; Nickerson House Senior Center; Silver Lake Center; Lillian Feinstein Senior Center; St. Martin dePorres Senior Center; Washington Park Center; and Westminster Senior Center.

The 10 centers are supported by the Providence Department of Senior Services, which works to enhance the quality of life for senior residents in Providence, provide an office of advocacy for seniors and provide valuable resources to seniors.