The Greater Fall River Coalition for Health and Well Being is an ad hoc group formed in response to the challenges posed by homeless families living in local motels while they await placement in permanent housing. Members of the group met on March 14, 2012 at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium on Bank Street to continue their ongoing discussion of strategies to assist the families. The group is working on providing resources and assistance with accessing  medical care, finding donations of clothing and personal care items, transportation, and options for recreation for the children who are living in very restrictive environments. Anyone with an interest in problem-solving for this at-risk population is welcome to attend our meetings. Contact Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900 for the date and time of the next meeting.

(Top row) Fall River School Student Assignment and Parent Information coordinator Barbara Allard, Janine Gendreau from Arbour Counseling and Agela Siveira of South Bay Mental Health of make some suggestions as Lisa Alves of WIC and Linda Hennessy of HealthFirst Family Care Center listen. (Middle row) United Neighbors of Fall River Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp responds to School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard as Denise Fortin of Elliot House, left, and the others in the group listen.