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Community supporters brighten holiday season for Devereux MA/RI youth

For more than 10 years, Steve Groccia and his wife, Maureen, have been making the holiday season brighter for youth who receive services through Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Each year, the Groccias host a holiday party where they invite guests to donate gifts for Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island youth. This year, approximately 65 people attended the event.

“Maureen and I love hosting this event – it kicks off the holiday season for everyone, and it just means so much for the kids,” Steve said. “We invite all of our friends. A lot of them bring two or three gifts.”

Spreading holiday cheer

Year after year, Steve says his guests look forward to spreading holiday cheer.

“I can’t imagine kids not having a present to open during the holidays,” Steven noted. “Most of our guests are familiar with Devereux. I grew up in the area, and know people who worked there. One woman who attended the party lives in New Haven, Connecticut. She was raised in Rutland and lived near the Devereux School. She drove nearly two hours to attend this year’s event because she didn’t want to miss out. Our guests always tell us, ‘It’s so great that you do this.’”

Making a meaningful difference

During the event, Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island Executive Director Nadyia Abbas, M.A., CAGS, LMHC, LADC-I, and Director of Quality Improvement Bernadette Conneely, shared information about Devereux and how the organization helps children, adolescents and adults with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences learn new skills and thrive.

“We want to thank Steve and Maureen for facilitating this wonderful event,” Abbas shared. “Words cannot express how grateful we are to them, and to all of their guests who so generously donated toys, games, gifts cards and other items for the youth in our care. We are incredibly fortunate to have community supporters who are committed to making a difference in the lives of those we serve – during the holiday season and all year long.”

Learn more about Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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