Graduates of Family Resources program hail from all areas of Rhode Island

By SANDY McGEE

WOONSOCKET — In today’s competitive job market, it’s no surprise that having the proper training gives potential new employees an edge and strengthens the local workforce.

Twenty-six Rhode Islanders were honored last week after participating in two job training programs at Family Resources Community Action in order to gain additional experiences and training to compete in today’s tight job market.
A graduation ceremony was held on Friday afternoon at Family Resources’ training center, located at 55 Main St., to honor the 26 participants of two job training programs: medical billing and coding, and computer and career training.
“Woonsocket is becoming an education center,” said Nicholas M. Azzarone, job developer for Family Resources. “We have graduates from all over the state.”
Adrianne DeLuca, 30, of Johnston, visited Woonsocket for eight weeks in order to graduate from the medical billing and coding program.
“There is a high demand for this kind of job,” said DeLuca, who previously worked in sales. “The people here are wonderful.”
“They (the students) came from all over, not just Woonsocket,” said head instructor for both programs, Melissa Rouleau. “It’s a lot of hard work. They worked hard. They get stressed out, but they still do it. I’m very proud of them.”
Both programs lasted eight weeks each at the center. Students of the medical billing and coding program studied medical terminology; billing terminology, practices and procedures; and more.
Students of the computer and career training learned filing, e-mail, Word and Excel programs and more. All members of the computer and career training program were also certified in customer service.

With 26 participants of both programs, this marks the largest class of graduates for Family Resources in the past five years.
“When I started, the first graduates were two,” said Azzarone as he addressed the graduating class on Friday. “Now we have people from Narragansett, Johnston and East Providence. Family Resources is developing.”
“The next class is even bigger,” said Rouleau, who also addressed the graduates at Friday’s ceremony. The head instructor advised her class about their next decisions in life.
“Remember, it’s those pathways in life you choose,” Rouleau said. “It’s now up to you. You can choose a pathway to success.”
Manuela Andrade, a graduate of the medical billing and coding program, spoke to her fellow classmates on her experience in the program.
“I’ve learned a lot and met a lot of people,” Andrade said. “It was a great experience. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
Graduates of the medical billing and coding program are Jasmynn Shaver, Maricelys Perez, Renee Raymond, Christine Gauthier, Adrienne DeLuca, Lisa Dutra, Kathy DiPinto, Manuela Andrade, Janet Papagni, Steve Risi, Toni Almeida, Caroline O’Neil, Jeanette Monast, Pearl Strembicki, Christopher Dionne, Diane Peterson and Teri Knickerbocker.
Graduates of the computer and career training program are Valerie DeJesus, Jeanne Capasso, Susan Young, Mary Lou Lefebvre, Benny Grayson, Wanda Turgeon and Maria Perdomo.
Family Resources Community Action operates more than 25 programs within five service areas: employment and training, family support, child welfare, house and transitional services and support to individuals with HIV and AIDS.
For more information, visit Family Resources Community Action or call (401) 766-0900.