The Associaiton News
April 2012



On April 2, The Association joined more than 1,000 members of The Caring Force and flooded The State House on behalf of human service programs and workers! The State House was shut down for a period of time due to this overwhelming show of support.
Click here to learn about The Caring Force and this event!

click here to view our new space>>>



December 2011

Congratulations to Our Corporators John and Paula Gallup!

The photo above features Paula and John Gallup receiving The National Conference for Community and Justice Human Relations Award for community volunteerism. Paula and John are Corporators for the Association for Community Living.

Their Story:

Plant it and it will grow. Nourish it and it will blossom.  This year marks a 60-year partnership that has flourished and benefited everyone who knows and loves John and Paula Gallup.  Their enduring relationship began while John was at Dartmouth and Paula at Mount Holyoke.

When the future CEO first joined Strathmore Paper, he was encouraged to devote 20% of his time to civic involvement.  Both John and Paula have lived and continue to follow that pathway.  A visit to their home truly mirrors who they really are.  You will find a backyard oasis in sync with nature. The walkways, stepping stones, reflecting pools, bridges, the ornamental trappings, the canopy of diverse plantings transforms your present world and reveals theirs.  The time, energy, care, love, patience of nurturing the garden are so evident and so it is with John and Paula’s service to their community.  Both attest to tending to one’s garden and feeling the earth as just a way of life and feel privileged to do so.  Like their garden, they support a diversity of interests…the arts, human services, medicine, religion, housing, education, the environment. 

John is a founding member and trustee of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, trustee for Friends of the Homeless, past director of the Economic Development Council, past president of Junior Achievement, served as trustee of Springfield College where he earned an honor degree, past chair of the board of Bay State Medical, a Pynchon Award Recipient.  The list is endless.

Paula, after 40 years of marriage, returned to school receiving a Masters of Arts in Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School.  She serves as a Eucharistic Minister for St. Andrew’s Church in Longmeadow and worked with Hatikva through the Council of Churches.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals was privileged to bestow this award to John and Paula, and The Association For Community Living is privileged to have them as Corporators.

The Association News
November 2011

Congratulations to Carrie Lemelin
for winning
The 2011 Providers’ Council
Volunteer of the Year Award


The Lemelin Family
(L-R) Michelle, Donald, Carrie
Not shown is the Lemelin's son Patrick,
who is currently serving in the US Navy.

Carrie Lemelin, the Board President of Community Resources for People with Autism, was recently honored with The Providers’ Council Volunteer of the Year Award.
Changing economic times have brought momentous changes to The Association For Community Living’s family support programs. Continuing reductions in state dollars, the closing of three offices in Franklin and Hampshire counties, and the opening of a new one in Hadley were just the tip of the iceberg. 

Carrie, the Manager of Market Research for Northeast Utilities, rose to huge challenges in order to “steer the ship through stormy waters.” Not only were budgets being slashed and offices closed, but the director of Community Resources for People With Autism was retiring after twenty years!

With enthusiasm and encouragement, Carrie worked hard to increase fund-raising, raising thousands of dollars and proving that you can even have a good time while raising money. 

She also chaired the Search Committee for a new director, ensuring that a thoughtful process was developed. After a nation-wide search and many months of hard-work, Dr. Jean-Claude Gerlus joined Community Resources as Director.  We are thrilled to have his leadership.

Despite the ups and downs of the past two years, Carrie has demonstrated that the courage and a strong faith in working together can help us all face multiple threats and bring us all through change. 

Thanks to Carrie, we are stronger and able to continue the important work of Community Resources.

September 2011

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