By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
ROCKPORT — Starting today, Rockporters who find themselves in need will be able to find help much closer to home.
Action Inc., the Gloucester-based community action program, has opened new satellite offices in Rockport and Ipswich, made possible with money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Town officials, Action board members, and the general public will get their first opportunity to see the new offices while enjoying light refreshments this morning, beginning at 10, at an open house, said Action spokeswoman Jessica Benedetto.
Since 1965, Action has been serving Cape Ann and beyond with social services and community programs such as home care for the elderly, assistance with fuel bills, employment and education programs, to name a few.
Rockport Town Meeting has traditionally voted to give the agency $3,000 each year to help cover the cost of delivering services to Rockporters. Hundreds of Rockporters have received some form of help from the nonprofit agency over the past several years.
Over the last few years, Sheila Irvin has spoke on behalf of Action at Town Meeting.
"Every year I say that the need is greater than the year before and here we are again and indeed we all know we are in the worst economic climate in more years than most of us can remember," Irvin said in her Town Meeting appeal this spring. "Expenses have increased dramatically for fuel, food and housing but one thing has not changed. Action has been consistently there for the people who are struggling."
Just over the last year, 62 elderly and disabled and 10 other Rockport residents were employed by Action. The Medical Assistance Training Program provided four Rockporters with medical training diplomas, which gives them the opportunity to find work in a doctor's office and make a living wage to support their families. The Fuel Assistance Program served 197 Rockport families and the Compass Program for youth helped two Rockport students receive their high school diplomacy certificates.
Additionally, 11 individuals with some Rockport history stayed in Action's homeless shelter and many more families received clothing and toys last Christmas through Project Uplift, Irvin said.
Action Inc. Executive Director Tim Riley believes that the new offices will allow Rockport residents to more easily access the services they need to improve their lives.
"Although Action has served Ipswich and Rockport residents for more than 40 years," Riley said, "these new satellite offices will make our services accessible to a greater number of people. We expect to deliver services to 30 percent more people in Ipswich and Rockport this year."
"Because of the state of the economy, our services are needed by more people now than ever before," Riley said. "The ARRA funding has made it possible for Action to open these new offices, hire staff, and help more people."
The Rockport office will be staffed by Laurene Wessel, a town resident who has worked with Action since 2008, initially as job developer for guests at the Action shelter in Gloucester and more recently as a social services advocate. She has also taught financial literacy courses to Action clients, drawing from her years in the banking industry.
The Rockport office is located at 37D Whistlestop Mall, by the train station, and will be open Mondays from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both offices welcome walk-ins. However, if individuals are unable to visit during office hours, they are urged to call to set up an appointment. Wessel can be reached at 978-879-3487.
In addition to Gloucester, Rockport, and Ipswich, Action also serves the towns of Essex, Hamilton, Wenham and Manchester. Action Inc.'s main office is at 180 Main Street in Gloucester and can be reached by calling 978-282-1000.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
