NORTH SMITHFIELD – In the six months that senior advocate and North Smithfield resident Linda Thibault has been leading a town-based effort to serve the area’s older residents, 3,162 locals have benefitted from programing run through Scouter’s Hall.
Thibault had been involved in offering programs at Scouter’s for years through her employer, Woonsocket-based Aging Well, before a break with the organization last April. It was at her recommendation last year that the town ended a portion of its longstanding contract with the city organization with plans to form a new, town-based entity.
Although not yet formally incorporated, the group was allocated $40,000 to pay for staff to run various classes in the town budget last year.
“North Smithfield Senior Services took over all of the programming at Scouter’s for seniors in July,” Thibault told councilors during a year end recap at their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Thibault’s new entity began offering classes at Scouter’s Hall on July 3 with a schedule that included all of the classes previously offered through Aging Well: Zumba Gold, Sit Fit & Be Strong, Yogalates, Line Dancing, Keep Moving, Pilates, Mat Yoga and Mindfulness & Meditation.
“We knew we could do more than that,” Thibault said.
In the months since, she’s launched a robust lineup of events and classes with the help of volunteers from the space by Pacheco Park, shared with local Scouts and others, such as the town’s municipal court.
In August, the center added Chair Zumba, Barre Fitness and Weight Training, distributing the schedule to senior housing sites and adding it to the town’s weekly newsletter.
The month that followed saw 185 seniors attend an event on the grounds of the Beef Barn Restaurant celebrating Senior Center Month, and Thibault reached out to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island to begin scheduling some of their programs and classes.
“The word was out there was a lot going on at Scouter’s,” said Thibault.
She noted that in October, several special events were added to the existing schedule, along with exercise bingo and appointments with Medicare specialist Guy Boulay.
“This is very, very important because this is a service that helps seniors – first time maybe, to Medicare, to navigating,” she said. “It’s really tricky.”
That was the same month BC/BS of RI offered the program Laughter is Medicine.
“The world is in such turmoil, so we try to bring things that bring laughter, because it’s good for our souls, it’s good for our hearts, it’s good for our lungs,” Thibault said.
Class schedules and special presentations continued to grow in November, and the center added congregate lunches to the menu of services offered at Scouter’s Hall. Thibault noted that she called on a friend to begin bringing in light lunches – such as salads, sandwiches and soup – offered at a cost of $3.
The longtime senior advocate has been a driving force behind the initiative to build a new center dedicated to seniors at the property that once held Halliwell Elementary School.
“You know our kitchen there at Scouter’s …. it’s really not conducive to things that are warm and that kind of thing,” said Thibault.
Of those attending the lunch, she noted, “They hung around for a couple of hours just talking, and you know, that’s what senior centers are about. They can get together and talk and laugh, and they have fun.”
In November, the group also held a Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner in Lindy’s Plastic Palace that brought out 87 veterans and guests, and included a USO show performed by the Fancie Senior Follies.
Thibault organized several special holiday events in December, and also added Country Line Dancing to the class schedule.
She noted future efforts include plans for a spring health fair and a flag-folding ceremony in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Town Administrator Scott Gibbs updated councilors on the effort to create an official town entity offering services to seniors, noting the group has created bylaws, and in the process of becoming an official non-profit, with completion expected by budget time this year.
This week, Thibault thanked both Gibbs and councilors for their support.
“The naysayers that say we don’t need something – we really do,” she said of the well-attended events and classes.
“You have a lot to be proud of here,” said Town Council President Kimberly Alves. “Thank you so much Linda. You’ve been doing awesome.”
“We are overjoyed to have you,” added Councilor Claire O’Hara.
And yet with all the glory and praise, we haven’t heard one thing about the multi-generational center, subsequently highjacked by Linda to become the new “Senior Center.” Lest we forget North Smithfield received a $4,000,000 federal appropriation in 2022 and an additional $1,000,000 since the award. To my knowledge, we have bought tables, chairs and an electronic counting device to gage attendance. According to Linda, we are still doing a “sign in sheet.” Now, we will have a non-profit organization to support, which will require a vast majority of town financial support? Having been the director of a non-profit organization, I understand the complexity and monetary obligations to support a 501c3. This organization, should it come to fruition, should not be funded through the town.
Federal dollars, under this current administration, are few and far between. We have not used our federal appropriation to date and must be facing upcoming deadlines. How we are meeting the parameters of fiscal responsibility is beyond my comprehension. The town certainly needs to address this issue. It’s time to stop the back slapping and circular commendations and have our administration account for the federal dollars received to date.
North Smithfield is lucky to have Linda Thibault. Who else would have stepped up to do what she does?
Is there transportation for those not able to use the center as they do not drive or have anyone to take them to those activities? Nice to say she stepped up, I agree, but this seems limited to a few select seniors. Can you answer that JB? Seeing you are on the TC. Seems no transportation is afforded to those housebound but wanting to attend. Ty.
A few years ago we had a grant for transportation for seniors but so few people took advantage of it we lost the grant after about a year. So the short answer to your question is no.
But Mr B was the public informed that it was available along with senior activities? That may be the reason it fell to no usage. I don’t recall any advertising or outright public notice. Hopefully in the future giving ample notice might have a different outlook for those seniors!
The new non-profit that the town is creating will be buying a bus, hiring a driver, paying for gas, insurance and health benefits for newly hired employees. Not quite sure where all of the money will be coming from. The town is already paying $40,000 for senior programmatic activities.
If Mr. Gibbs or Mr. Beauregard would like to clarify how this “town formed non-profit,” will be funded I would be most appreciative. To date, no information has been forthcoming.
Linda created this job for herself after departing Aging Well due to philosophical differences. Now, she is creating her own non-profit organization which will continually require town financial support. Federal dollars under our curent administration are few and far between. I am sure Ms. Andoscia would concur. We will be dependent on funding secured through organizations such as Champlin and the RI Foundation. Given the state of our economic needs, North Smithfield residents should never be burdened with funding supplied to a 501C3.
Linda left the prior job because the new director had some creative ideas that did not align with Linda’s old school stale senior center ideas. Now Linda wants the taxpayers to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year with zero accountability or idea how the town will fund the dream. Now if the town spends $5 million if still available on a senior center who will fund the $1 million needed annually to operate the facility. I also did not believe the dream that private companies will fund the facility every year. Also remember that taxpayers now need to fund the $9 million bond and other wasteful Gibbs spending ideas.
And those housebound, I guess cannot mKe it in…..any transportation offered, just curious. Ty.