PAWTUCKET –For many seniors, often the most difficult part of getting a question answered or finding the right services is simply knowing who or where to turn to. To assist seniors in that process will be one of the functions of the Seniors Liaison, anewly-created volunteer position based in City Hall intended to provide a go-to resource for seniors. The Seniors Liaison will function independently of, though at times in conjunction with, the Mathieu Senior Center while also being available to assist seniors in a wide variety of other ways. Mayor Donald R. Grebien named city resident Beth Roberge, a retired teacher who served six years as president of the board of directors of the Alliance for Long Term Care, to the unpaid post. “Beth has the knowledge, compassion and commitment to serving our seniors that made her a natural choice to assume these responsibilities,” said Grebien, who last year pledged to create such a role. “She will be able to work with our outstanding Senior Center to help maximize those resources. She brings a lot to the table and I look forward to working with her and I know our seniors will benefit greatly from her assistance.” Roberge, who taught for 28 years in the East Providence School Department, holds a master’s degree in education from Rhode Island College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.In the community, she has worked as a volunteer for almost 30 years at the Pawtucket Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and for The Bread Line at Holy Family Parish. “I have always loved my work especially for any cause for the elderly,” Roberge said. “I look forward to offering my skills to help improve the lives of our seniors.” One of Roberge’s first projects will be to assemble a list of seniors needing yard work assistance to dovetail with youths and others willing to perform the work. She will also assist seniors with questions about how to navigate the health care bureaucracy or where to find other services. “If I don’t know the answer, I will find out who does, point them in that direction, and follow up to make sure everything is taken care of,” Roberge said.

Beth Roberge’s office in City Hall will be open
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
She can also be reached at 728-0500, ext. 241,
and by email at broberge@pawtucketri.com.