“Renewing, refreshing, and better connecting Suffield residents to our services”: these are the words of Janet Frechette, Executive Director of the newly renamed Suffield Community Aid (SCA). The new name and logo you will see is: Suffield Community Aid, Your Local Safety Net. Formerly known as the Emergency Aid Association, or EAA, the organization opted to update its name to better connect Suffield residents to all the services it offers.
Its phone number, 668-1986, and address at 450 South Street, remain the same. The new web address is: www.suffieldcommunityaid.org.
Suffield Community Aid will continue to offer the services it always has. These include fuel assistance, the Fiore Food Pantry, Free Medical Equipment Loan, School Backpack Program, Renter Rebate, Meals-on-Wheels, Blood Pressure Screening, Bereavement Support Groups, Non-Emergency Medical Transport, Social Service Consultations, and Elder and Disabled Outreach.
Suffield Community Aid is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 agency and is supported by an annual donation campaign and through investments donated over the years. Its mission is to provide supportive health and social services that positively affect the well-being of Suffield residents during times of need. “We want to leverage the potential of people we serve so they can move forward more productively in their lives,” explains Janet Frechette. Its new and more relevant image removes some of the emergency and ambulance notions from its name. The name change was official as of September 1.
This 115-year-old organization benefits many citizens of Suffield whether by direct use of its services and/or by the charitable support given by citizen volunteers. In 1903, a group of far-sighted women in Suffield organized the Emergency Aid Association at the suggestion of Dr. Philo Street. Their objective, according to the original by-laws, was to provide sickroom appliances, nursing help and assistance to those facing poverty. Although no longer providing direct medical care, the SCA offers a myriad of social service programs to meet the evolving needs of our Suffield Community.
If you would be interested in learning more about the services of the SCA, call their office. Executive Director Frechette and the experienced staff are always willing and able to answer your questions and serve your needs.
The Suffield Observer congratulates Suffield Community Aid on behalf of all Suffield citizens. We thank you for your fine service to our town.