We are so fortunate to have such strong advocates for the Worcester Community! We deeply appreciate the vital financial support we've received during this trying time, but the support goes so much deeper than that.  Thank you to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the United Way of Central Massachusetts for helping to create such a strong and resilient community.

Thank you to our wonderful donors who have answered the call to donate towards the virtual Baby Shower. We have received diapers, baby food, cereal, laundry soap, toys, clothes and monetary donations.  We can't thank you enough for what you have donated.

The need for baby donations in our Emergency Assistance Program has increased.  We see parents visit the food pantry for the basic necessity to feed their families.  As we try to help them access other resources in the community we discover that they need more than just food.  With an infant the need for formula, diapers and laundry soap increases the stress they are going through.  That is why your donation is so valuable to the families with an infant.  

Pernet Family Health Service has been strengthening families for 65 years.  It all started with the nuns from the Little Sisters of the Assumption.  Their calling was to help the poor in the community.  Our Emergency Assistance Program opens its doors to anyone with an infant.   Today we ask you to help answer that call to help those less fortunate in our community. 
Each week in addition to food for the family we have distributed an average of

• 10 large boxes of diapers
• 50 Cans of formula
• Baby cereal
• Baby food
• Clothes
• Laundry soap

This is an increase from the pre-Covid-19 time and that is why we are appealing you to help us meet the needs of these families.  
We also ask you to share this with your family and friends.   
You can donate money online and we will buy the items at 
https://www.pernetfamilyhealth.org/contribute.html
You can also buy some items on Amazon by accessing our Amazon Wish List at 
https://tinyurl.com/pernetbabyshower
To send a check in the mail please use:
Pernet Family Health Service
237 Millbury Street
Worcester, MA 01610

Thank you.

Yes, it is true we are holding the Pernet Virtual Baby Shower for the month of May and you are invited.
The reason for this is as we get families coming to the food pantry, we always find out what other resources they are in need of such as food stamps, affordable housing and we connect them other to organizations that can help them stabilize their situation.  What we have found over the years is that when an expectant mother or a mother with a newborn comes to us for food, they need much more than food.  They need formula, clothes, laundry soap, diapers, feminine products and more to be able to care for the family.  
That is why we are inviting you to a virtual Baby Shower to help us support these mothers.  
You can donate money online and we will buy the items at 
https://www.pernetfamilyhealth.org/contribute.html
You can also buy some items on Amazon by accessing our Amazon Wish List at 
https://tinyurl.com/pernetbabyshower
To send a check in the mail please use:
Pernet Family Health Service
237 Millbury Street
Worcester, MA 01610

Pernet keeping in touch with client families
April 24, 2020

• Compiled by Raymond L. Delisle
  Director of Communications Ministry
  
  Pernet Family Health Service is a certified home health agency which has been serving families in need since the early-1960s. It was founded by the Little Sisters of the Assumption who provided home visits as nurses to help young mothers and fathers to learn how to be nurturing parents. Over the years, dedicated lay professionals in nursing and various specialties, including social work and family counseling, have built a network of services, working closely with families which are “on the fringes” and at great risk. 
  We asked Sheilah Dooley, RN, executive director of Pernet, how it is adjusting to serving its clients during this pandemic.
  
  How has this pandemic impacted Pernet’s ability to service its client families overall?
  It has been a challenging few weeks in all aspects of our lives and my prayer is that we get through this in good health, wiser and with more compassion. This is a time to reflect on our lives and be thankful for the supports we have. Here at Pernet, it has been a balancing act of applying for different grants and loans to keep the programs going and making sure that each of the individuals and families that we serve get the help they need in a timely manner. We have been practicing social distancing and have had to reimagine how we deliver our services.
  
  Early intervention is a major part of your service offering for families. How have you adapted?
  EI provides family-centered services that facilitate the developmental progress of eligible children. EI helps children acquire the skills they will need to succeed in life. Our services have always been face-to-face but we have had to adapt to “telehealth.”  Our staff are working with the families over the phone and on video while maintaining privacy.  It has taken a lot of training and support for the staff and working with families to accommodate everyone’s schedule.  Our staff have learned how to do intakes digitally. Not all families are able to adapt to remote services but we are trying everything we can, including phone calls, to keep in touch with them.
  
  Have you had more success with engaging families in the Parent Aide program?
  We have had 90 percent engagement with the families and they have responded well to the change. Where these services were entirely face-to-face and sometimes in group settings in the past, we are now hosting ZOOM sessions, using Facetime, Skype, live chats and lots of telephone calls. When we know that a family is low on food or other supplies, we utilize Pernet’s stocked food pantry and make deliveries to the front step. A home visit may be conducted from outside the front door. Any type of support during this isolating time is helpful.
  
  One particular service which has gained a lot of recognition over the years is the father’s program. Can that continue right now?
  The Fathers and Family program has been widely recognized because it helps fathers who have been challenged as parents to strengthen their connection with their children. Although we cannot continue the program within the Worcester County House of Correction during this health crisis, we are holding a virtual class for other fathers. Half of the group continues to participate and during a recent session some of the members stated how they have benefited from the group and they would like to continue meeting after the eight-week course to support each other. This is a testimony to how the human connection is strong even when groups are meeting via teleconferencing.
  
  Does Pernet still offer skilled nursing?
  Our nurse at Pernet provides home care and support to pregnant and parenting women, infants, young children and their families. Our Maternal and Child Nursing Program is critical in high-risk situations and our staff is still doing home visits, especially for children coming out of the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). The staff is equipped with personal protective equipment so that they can safely make the necessary home visits.
  
  Is there still an ability to have a youth program, given that kids cannot attend school?
  Homework Club has been an important part of the lives of the young people in the families we serve.  Our youth coordinator has distributed care packages to the youth, which included books, arts and craft supplies and worksheets for the Homework Club members, to give them the needed supplies and also to stay connected with them. Since an important facet of the Youth Program is social interaction, we are looking forward to the point when we can bring them together again for fun activities in local parks and on field trips.
  
  – Pernet is supported in part by Partners in Charity. Pernet received $30,000 from the 2019 Partners appeal. To learn more about the programs visit www.pernetfamilyhealth.org. 

The hours of Pernet's Food Pantry and Emergency Infant Supply Program have been temporarily extended due to COVID-19.  We will now be open:
Tuesdays: 9 AM - 3 PM
Wednesdays: 9 AM - 3 PM

Please check back regularly.  Hours and schedules will be updated regularly on the website and on our Facebook page.

​

Thank you to Fallon Health for the generous support of our Home Visiting program for mothers and children and our Hunger Relief program, Emergency Assistance Food Pantry.  These programs provide vital services to the community and Pernet's Green Island neighborhood and we are grateful for the continued support of Fallon.  A special thank you to Kimberly Salmon,  Fallon's Director of Communications, for coming out to Pernet!

Pernet runs an emergency food and infant supply pantry for residents of Worcester’s 01610 neighborhood.  Supplies are given out in quantities to last approximately three days and may be accessed once a month by showing identification. To obtain baby and infant supplies such as formula, baby food, cereal and diapers, clients must show proof of child (such as a birth certificate or WIC card).  

Pantry hours are:
Mondays: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Tuesdays: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Wednesdays 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Trained staff and volunteers are also available to discuss long-term hunger solutions such as Food Stamps, WIC, and Serve New England food co-op The Emergency Assistance Program is possible through grants from Project Bread, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Rachel’s Table and the generous contributions of local groups, individuals, churches and the Worcester County Food Bank.