Town Says Goodbye to Popular Human Services Director

by | Mar 6, 2018

Senior Center volunteer Aurelia (“Re”) DiCecco shares a hug with Erin.

Erin McAndrew is the sort of person who always makes you feel at ease – the perfect disposition for a director of senior and human services. And East Greenwich was fortunate to have McAndrew in that role for the past 11 years.

On Friday, McAndrew ended her tenure in East Greenwich, moving one town south to take the assistant director of senior services job in North Kingstown.

Town Council President Sue Cienki, Erin McAndrew, Kathy Mansfield and Janice Peixinho at a farewell coffee last week. Kathy and Janice are both retired town employees.

“We’re going to miss her – she does a lot,” said volunteer Gene Dumas. “She’s been a good and faithful town employee.”

McAndrew came to work for the town just a year before voters approved a bond to renovate Swift Gym and transform it into Swift Community Center.

“We were lucky enough to get the bond approved,” said McAndrew. She said she got to work with the architect on the design and all the details and she was proud of the building.

The Senior Center has around 800 members, she said, and about 40 volunteers. Lunch is offered Monday through Friday. Among the activities and

Councilman Mark Schwager saying goodbye to Erin McAndrew last week.

services offered are “Cyber Seniors,” where older residents can get help using a computer and finding things on the internet; several nurse clinics a month; income tax assistance; hearing tests; a legal clinic and shopping trips in the town van.

Of course, the point is to bring people together. And McAndrew is glad she helped to foster that in East Greenwich.

“They’re really thankful they have a place where they can socialize and feel like they are part of the community,” she said of Senior Center clients.

Erin talks with some of the people who came out to her farewell coffee.

Last Thursday, there was a farewell coffee for McAndrew at Swift. Volunteer Aurelia (“Re”) DiCecco said she was sorry to see McAndrew go but that at least she wasn’t going far.

“We’re going to miss her,” said DiCecco. “But she’s going to North Kingstown and I play cards there on Fridays so I’ll get to see her!”


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Bruce R. Mastracchio
Bruce R. Mastracchio
March 7, 2018 7:38 am

Going to miss Erin. She was Great !

Much success in her new journey.

Bruce

Marie C. Hennedy
Marie C. Hennedy
March 7, 2018 6:27 pm

North Kingstown is blessed to have attracted you, Erin. Enjoy your new job!

Carol Doyle
Carol Doyle
March 9, 2018 9:53 am

I will miss you. You were always approachable and always stopped to hear my concerns. You gave the center a homey atmosphere.
Good luck with future endeavors!

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