Statehouse Vigil

October 19th, 2009

NEWS RELEASE
Vinfen Corporation
Communications & Public Affairs Dept.
950 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
617-441-1800
www.vinfen.org

For immediate release:  (Click here for the PDF)
October 19, 2009

VINFEN PARTICIPATES IN PEOPLE FIRST! CAMPAIGN

 Nonprofits to take Day of Action to remind officials to put People First

CAMBRIDGE, MA. – Vinfen Corporation, a leading nonprofit human services organization that provides a comprehensive array of services to individuals with psychiatric and developmental disabilities, will join together with other human services organizations for a “virtual” rally on Tuesday, October 20th to remind Governor Patrick and lawmakers to put People First!

Thousands of human service and early education workforce are expected to send a message to the Governor during the People First! rally by calling the Governor’s office and individual legislators on October 20.   Individuals, advocates and others will ask public officials to keep their promise to maintain the safety net and not cut more human service programs.  Vinfen has pledged to make approximately 2,000 calls to state legislators and Governor Patrick. 

 “I believe the People First! Campaign will send a strong message to Beacon Hill that the safety net cannot be cut further,” said Vinfen CEO Dr. Bruce Bird.  “Additional budget cuts could cripple or close some Vinfen program leaving individuals in our care with nowhere to turn.”

 Vinfen is participating in ongoing advocacy efforts.  Last week Vinfen joined other   Department of Mental Health (DMH) providers and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in a rally to stop cuts in human services programs.  Vinfen staff and families also took part in aVigil in the Governor’s office.

 Vinfen is a leading nonprofit human services organization that provides a comprehensive array of services to individuals with psychiatric and developmental disabilities.  Each year, Vinfen supports thousands of individuals in more than 300 programs in eastern Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. 

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For pictures of this event, click here.