NORTH SMITHFIELD – The city of North Smithfield will now not work with Woonsocket-based Growing old Nicely to supply courses and different providers for seniors following a suggestion from resident and senior advocate Linda Thibault, who lately resigned from her place with the group.
As a substitute, Thibault hopes to type a brand new entity based mostly on the town that serves the older inhabitants with the assistance of funding beneficial by each the administrator and the Finances Committee – and a brand new senior heart on the former Halliwell College property, now in planning.
“I used to be form of torn in two instructions,” Thibault advised NRI NOW this week of her work with the company, which concerned splitting her time between her hometown and the neighboring neighborhood. “It was very unhappy that I left. It didn’t work out due to circumstances past my management. Now, my time has actually been dedicated to North Smithfield – making an attempt to develop a strong program.”
A non-profit providing meals, train courses, referrals and assets with the aim of enhancing the lives of seniors, Growing old Nicely, beforehand referred to as Senior Providers, at the moment serves round 40 to 50 North Smithfield residents, in accordance with Govt Director Ryan MacLeod. Thibault labored as co-director of the group’s wellness program since 2009, additionally providing train courses in North Smithfield by means of Growing old Nicely at Scouter’s Corridor.
Thibault advised city officers that she turned dissatisfied with the group following a change in management, and that the city can be higher served by a neighborhood effort supporting seniors.
MacLeod turned government director in Could of 2024 and has applied some latest modifications, such because the launch of “La Placita,” a brand new space of the constructing at 84 Social St. catering to Spanish-speaking seniors inside beforehand underutilized area.
“They’ve funded us by means of the tip of June,” MacLeod advised NRI NOW of the city this week. “Our understanding is, after that, the funds shall be moved to an account within the city’s Parks & Recreation funds.”
City funds paperwork present that funding for senior providers in North Smithfield fell beneath the umbrella of Parks & Recreation in 2022, when the road merchandise was $10,000. It was elevated to $20,000 in fiscal 12 months 2023, and held regular for 2024.
Final 12 months, the road merchandise was moved within the funds to be included beneath “City Council contributions,” and funded $40,000, in accordance with Finances Committee Chairperson Douglas Osier. The funding, which in earlier years was handed on to Growing old Nicely, was boosted by means of a $20,000 federal grant final 12 months.
For fiscal year 2026, Town Administrator Scott Gibbs has recommended a town contribution of $45,000 to senior programing, while the Budget Committee has recommended $42,500.
“Starting this fiscal year, the town will no longer contract with Aging Well, following leadership changes and the formation of a new service entity,” noted a presentation this month by budgeters. “The preparedness of the new provider is unclear. Interim measures should be considered to ensure uninterrupted delivery service and compliance with procurement requirements.”
Thibault noted that she has long been working toward creating an in-town program for residents age 55 and over, in addition to advocating for a dedicated space for programming.
“It’s been no secret that I’ve been trying to get that going here in town,” she said.
A registered nurse, Thibault notes she developed the wellness program for city-based Aging Well, and now hopes to do the same in North Smithfield, with plans to move operations to the town’s new multi-generational center once the building is complete.
“When the center is ready, we can just move it on over,” she said.
Osier said that Thibault came before his board in April to discuss the recommended change.
“From a budget perspective, it’s $40,000 this year, but what if we build out the program? I think there’s a lot of discussions to be had in that area,” said Osier, pointing to the need in the future to fund salaries, meals and activities for the new center. “We outsource a lot of that to Aging Well now.”
Osier said that budgeters have been left unclear on details or a timeline for the plan.
“For an organization to receive the funds, they would have to have all of their paperwork in place,” he said. “From a budget perspective, why are we funding this entity if we don’t have a plan for services?”
Ultimately, the board decided, “We’ll fund it because we know senior services are critical for the town.”
“The key for us was to just make sure there were funds available and there wasn’t a disruption,” said Osier. “If the town’s going to switch it would be helpful to plan – not just this year’s funding. Hopefully there’s more clarity going into next year’s budget.”
Thibault said that many details of a new organization to serve town seniors are indeed still in the planning phase. She has worked to continue programing at Scouter’s for the time being – including exercise classes, a quilting group, meditation courses, seminars, special events and more – while hashing out details of a future plan with the town administrator.
“It would be a new entity,” she said. “We’re still working on all of that. There are so many unknowns right now.”
Of the town-based programming, she added, “I decided to just keep all of that going, and we’re going to add things.” The intent, she said, is to offer a full schedule of different programs Monday through Friday each week.
“By not being at the Woonsocket site anymore, my whole attention is here now,” she said. “I’ve been doing this already – the only difference is it has my undivided attention now.”
Thibault noted that by 2030, 1 out of every 6 people will over the age of 65 – and 90 percent of them want to age in place.
“It’s important we provide services for people age 55 and older,” she said. “It’s my mission It’s my life It’s my passion.”
She noted that decision on how to move forward in North Smithfield will ultimately fall to the Town Council.
“All I know is, the classes and programs will continue at Scouter’s Hall. The North Smithfield Town Council is in charge,” she added. “I’m just here to help.”
Meanwhile, the Woonsocket-based organization is on track to lose $40,000, and will no longer be involved in programming at Scouter’s. MacLeod said Aging Well is now looking at the potential of creating a congregate meal site in North Smithfield.
The funding from North Smithfield, he said, was previously used to help with his organization’s meals program, through which seniors are charged just $3 for daily meals that cost $6.
“We appreciate the support, but it won’t make a real difference at the end of the day,” he said, adding that North Smithfield residents are still welcome to use their services. “Everybody is absolutely still welcome here.”
