Press Releases

Recipient of the First Kathleen M. Tunney Award

Associates for Human Services, Inc. would like to congratulate Meghan Mello, the first recipient of the Kathleen M. Tunney Award.

The Award, $1,000 scholarship, was named to honor AHS’ recently retired President & Executive Director Kathleen (Kit) M. Tunney. Kit presented the check to Meghan recently at a small reception at AHS. After careful consideration, Kit selected Meghan because she felt she was a “….mature, intelligent student, an athlete, community volunteer and a hard worker. She’ll make a great first recipient!” Going forward Kit will develop a process with timelines to submit an application. Her decision will then be announced at the Annual Employee Appreciation Dinner in June.

Meghan is studying Education at Emmanuel College, Boston, and we wish her continued success as she enters her sophomore year.

Associates for Human Services, Inc. (AHS) is a not-for-profit agency founded 44 years ago to meet a wide range of human services needs in Brockton, New Bedford, Norton, and the Greater Taunton Area (Taunton, Raynham, Dighton, Rehoboth, Lakeville, Middleboro, Seekonk, Berkley). Support services are provided, through a variety of programs, for infants, toddlers, youth, adults, and seniors experiencing developmental disabilities or delays, as well as families struggling economically.

Dear Editor, Taunton Daily Gazette:

I write regarding Taunton YouthWorks 2019, the most recent edition of this summer jobs program for city teens. As is true for all successful community projects, there are many people and entities that deserve acknowledgement.

First, it is worth noting that our local summer YouthWorks program and those around the state receive funding thanks to state senators and representatives who see the value in providing youth important work experiences. In addition, they understand that significant “wage matching” from the private sector is generated, which enables more teens to get jobs. Funded through the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, YouthWorks is administered statewide by the very capable folks at Commonwealth Corps.

Further, Taunton YouthWorks is managed by the MassHire Bristol Workforce Board along with MassHire Youth Connections (both based in Fall River). Finally, it is implemented “on the ground” by Taunton Area School to Career, or TASC, which is a program of Associates for Human Services. While there are many organizations involved; all are focused on a great cause: helping our teens gain the job skills that will lead to a successful career in tomorrow’s workforce.

This summer we had 40 YouthWorks participants who took part in job readiness training plus a 5-6 week, subsidized job experience in one of 19 different worksites. TASC is so grateful to all the worksites – private for-profit, private non-profit, and public – and the site supervisors who agreed to be part of YouthWorks. The 2019 worksites were: Associates for Human Services, Boys & Girls Club of Metro South, Brighter Daze Hair Salon, Citizens for Citizens, Friedman Middle School, Galligan Elementary School, Girls Inc., MassHire Taunton Career Center, Mulcahey Elementary School, NerdsToGo, Old Colony YMCA Taunton Branch, Our Daily Bread Food & Resource Center, Pro-Home Inc., Taunton High School Custodial Dept., TPS Special Education Summer Program, Triumph Inc., Whittenton Hardware, and the WISE Adult Day Health program at AHS. Also, five students were part of a TASC-created workgroup: the Fruitylicious Jams & Jellies Culinary project, based at Taunton High School.

I also want to thank the sixteen employees from caring organizations like BayCoast Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank, Community Counseling of Bristol County, First Citizens Federal Credit Union, HarborOne Bank, MassHire Bristol Workforce Board, Morton Hospital, Pride Inc., Shriver Clinical, for helping with “mock interviews” as part of the final training; as well as the Holiday Inn Taunton for generously hosting and feeding the students and guests at our closing ceremony. They, and the private sector worksites noted above, exemplify the business involvement and support so vital to TASC and its mission of “Empowering Youth To Succeed.”

I extend kudos to the local 2019 coordinators of Taunton YouthWorks, Cheyenne Amaral and Kendreia Perry, each of whom are TASC Career Specialists. Lastly, all of us at TASC/AHS are pleased and proud regarding the accomplishments of the YouthWorks 2019 participants – a few were offered jobs, which is one of the best possible outcomes! But we are confident all participants are an important step closer to achieving long-term, career success – which is the ultimate goal.

Daniel LeBrun, MA
Program Director
Taunton Area School to Career /Associates for Human Services
Taunton, MA

Dear Editor,
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It’s a time to celebrate people with Down Syndrome and to make people more aware of their abilities, accomplishments and aspirations. It’s not about celebrating disabilities, it’s about celebrating abilities.

Let me tell you a little about a person with Down Syndrome…..a person with Down Syndrome laughs at jokes, cries at disappointments, sings when their favorite song comes on the radio, dances when they feel happy, feels sad when friends don’t show up at their birthday party, is proud when their accomplishments are acknowledged, get scared when they are alone, cry when they are upset……Hmmm, that sounds like every person I know. People with Down Syndrome need a little help now and again, but most people do, don’t talk around them, don’t underestimate them, don’t go out of your way to avoid them.

We have come a long way in how people with disabilities are treated, but there is still a long way to go. I thank my lucky stars I had such a fantastic “village” that helped me raise my son, Andrew. Thank you to his friends, his educators, his supporters and thank you to the people who doubted him or underestimated him, because of you he made it his mission to prove you wrong.

If you know somebody with Down Syndrome, please reach out to them, support them and help them get involved in the community.

AHS Annual Spaghetti Supper and Raffle

Associates for Human Services (AHS) held its 24th Annual Spaghetti Supper and Raffle on Friday, September 28, 2086 at St. Nicholas of Myra Church Hall in North Dighton.

Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread and homemade pastries complimented the HUGE raffle filled with crafts, gift certificates, and other prizes donated by local businesses and AHS staff.

Food and drink donations came from DeAvila’s Catering, UNO Chicago Grille, Art’s Bakery, Olive Garden, The Chateau Norton, Hannaford Supermarkets, Pepsi Bottling Group, Araujo Garden Center and the Cahill Family. Event sponsors were Bristol County Savings Bank, Mutual of America, Catholic Family Life Insurance, W.B. Mason, Webster Bank, Rotary Club of Taunton, BayCoast Bank, Donahue & Company, Braver Technology, Nerds to Go, Bridgewater Savings Bank, Health Policy Associates, Morton Hospital, Dighton Lions Club, Dighton-Rehoboth Animal Hospital, Representative Patricia Haddad, TMLP, Grants Rental, Mallard Printing and Councilman John McCaul. Thank you to all who helped make this event very successful! We appreciate everyone who donated a dessert, all who volunteered and those who attended.

Over 275 people attended this sold-out event!

Proceeds from the Spaghetti Supper go directly into the Lifelong Learning Fund. This fund provides additional support to children, adults, and seniors in our community who are currently enrolled in AHS programs but may not have access to sufficient resources. With your support for this event, AHS is able to provide further assistance through the purchase of items such as therapeutic toys, adaptive equipment, and community inclusion activities for the individuals we serve and their families.

Associates for Human Services, Inc. (AHS) is a not-for-profit agency founded 44 years ago to meet a wide range of human services needs in Brockton, New Bedford, Norton, Attleboro and the Greater Taunton Area. Support services are provided, through a variety of programs, for infants, toddlers, youth, adults, and seniors experiencing developmental disabilities or delays, as well as families struggling economically.

AHS To Hold Benefit Supper and Raffle

Associates for Human Services (AHS) will hold its 24th Annual Spaghetti Supper and Raffle on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, at St. Nicholas of Myra located at 499 Spring Street in Dighton.

Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread and homemade pastries will compliment the HUGE raffle filled with crafts, gift certificates, and other prizes donated by local businesses and AHS staff. Fun for the whole family with face painting and tattoos.

Supper Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children. Raffle tickets prices are 1/$1, 3/$2 and 10/$5. Seats are limited so don’t miss out on this! Tickets are available at Associates for Human Services, 68 Allison Avenue, Taunton, MA. A Special Raffle for an Apple iPad will also be held!

Proceeds from the Spaghetti Supper go directly into the Lifelong Learning Fund. This fund provides additional support to infants, toddlers, teens, adults, and seniors in our community who are currently enrolled in AHS programs but may not have access to sufficient resources. For instance, it allows us to provide therapeutic equipment for Early Intervention, Welcome Bags for Early Head Start, and community, social and education opportunities in our Wise Adult Day Health Programs. In addition, Taunton Area School to Career will continue to bridge business and education thus improving tomorrow’s workforce.

Associates for Human Services, Inc. (AHS) is a not-for-profit agency founded 44 years ago to meet a wide range of human services needs in the Greater Taunton Area. For more information on AHS programs, please visit us at www.ahsinc.org or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/AHSInc.

Associates for Human Services, Inc. Under New Leadership

Associates for Human Services’ Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Zulmira Allcock, Early Intervention Program Director, has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2018.

Zulmira’s career with Associates for Human Services, Inc. began over 30 years ago when she joined the agency as a Counselor/Service Coordinator in the Early Intervention Program in 1986. She was promoted to Team Leader in 1998 and Assistant Program Director in 1993. In 1997 she became the Early Intervention Program Director where she was responsible for personnel and programming oversight. After an extensive interview process, it was apparent that Zulmira is deeply passionate about Associates for Human Services, Inc., and has the skills and experience needed to lead the agency. Zulmira has already demonstrated her leadership as Program Director of Early Intervention and the Board of Directors is confident in her ability to continue to grow the agency.

We are grateful that the agency’s new Chief Executive Officer comes from within. We know Zulmira to be strategic and proactive with community leaders and are confident that the agency’s services and programs will continue to be a tremendous success under her leadership.

15th Annual TASC Spelling Bee Press release

March 19, 2019
Taunton Area School to Career (TASC), a program of Associates for Human Services, Inc., will hold its 15th annual Business-Education Spelling Bee on Wednesday, April 10th at 5:30PM, in the Taunton High School Auditorium. The public is invited to attend.

The Bee is part of TASC’s ongoing commitment to help area students with college scholarships, while also raising funds to support its career development education services, such as career mentoring, work-based learning experiences and internships, as well as career and job fairs.

The TASC Spelling Bee involves businesses and community groups in a fun event that rewards students from three finalist teams with college scholarships and prizes. The competition has 3 divisions, with teams vying for top honors; each team consists of three adults, a high school senior, and one other high school student.

Last year’s top three teams were: Morton Hospital, Champions; Taunton Federal Credit Union, Runner-Up; and Mayor’s Worthy Cause, Second Runner-Up. Scholarship awards of $1000, $500, and $250 went to the high school senior on those teams, respectively.

Taunton Mayor Tom Hoye will return as MC of the event, and Mr. John Cabral, Superintendent of Taunton Public Schools, will be the Word Pronouncer. Carol Sullivan is again serving as Chairperson of the event. The TASC Bee will be broadcast (and repeated) on the Taunton Educational channel of local cable TV.

Only a few spots remain for a business or community group to register a team, and sponsors are always welcome. A business or group interested in either a team or sponsorship – to support youth career education opportunities and obtain unique publicity and visibility – may contact either Dan LeBrun, TASC Program Director, or Debbie Howland, AHS Development Coordinator, at 508-880-0202

TASC’s mission is “Empowering Youth to Succeed,” and involves bridging business and education to improve tomorrow’s workforce. The program currently serves students from Bristol County Agricultural, Taunton Alternative, and Taunton High Schools. It became a program of AHS in January of 2016.

Associates for Human Services, Inc. (AHS) is a not-for-profit agency founded 44 years ago to meet a wide range of human services needs in Attleboro, Brockton, Middleboro, New Bedford, Norton and the Greater Taunton Area Support services are provided through a variety of programs for infants, toddlers, youth, adults, and seniors experiencing developmental disabilities or delays, as well as families struggling educationally and economically.