FEBRUARY 20, 2006

Issue: Community Parish Nursing will close it doors July 1, 2006 unless we are able to secure a financial commitment from town government to support the “neighbor caring about neighbor” program.  I am writing to you asking for your help in one last effort to secure town government funding for Community Parish Nursing.

Background:  Community Parish Nursing was launched by a "Faith in Action" seed grant ($25,000.00) from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in May of 2001.  Working together, we saw our first community neighbor in October.  Over these past five years, we have asked individuals, businesses, organizations, faith communities, and town government for financial support to sustain and grow our Neighbor Caring about Neighbor program.  (As you know, Community Parish Nursing is available only to Reading residents and relies solely on donations for its entire operating budget.)  Individuals, businesses, organizations, and the faith communities have supported Neighbor Caring about Neighbor, but we have not been successful in securing town government’s financial support. Without town government support, we will be forced to close our doors, July 2006.

There is no question that Reading is a community that cares about all of its citizens - young and old.  The Elder Services budget reflects our concern for seniors by authorizing a service budget this year that is over $150,000.  So, it is understandable why our town leaders, who are elected to be the stewards of our tax money, may be reluctant to support additional programs.  

As someone involved in Community Parish Nursing, you know first hand what a difference this volunteer organization has made in the lives of some frail neighbors and the volunteers!

Action: What can you do?  Attached is a “Resolution” that hopefully makes it clear why we all want to support the continuation of Community Parish Nursing’s Neighbor Caring about Neighbor program.  Please sign this resolution and, if you can get additional signatures from family, friends, and neighbors, it will be even more powerful as we present the collected Resolution forms to our town leaders.

Resolution Form: Help us by completeing the "Resolution Form" sign up here.