Case Manager

Cris Ciobanu
 March 28, 2011
Dear Editor:
I have been living in East Windsor for the past 3 years and I heard about Rise-a Community Service Partnership a few times but it wasn’t until I started working here two months ago that I fully understood the extent of their programs.
Rise helps hard working Americans who have gotten squeezed out of the middle class in tough times and families who can’t afford the basics in life. Rise is a non-profit organization that impacts the lives of families whose dreams are being foreclosed.
For example, during my very first month at Rise, a single mother with 3 children came in looking for assistance. They were victims of domestic violence and had lived in a shelter for 5 months. I could see the desperation on her and her children’s faces.
Rise helped her find an affordable apartment in East Windsor and became the link between her and Mercer County Board of Social Services. We were also able to provide her kids with clothes from the Greater Goods Thrift Store and pajamas form the “Sweet Dreams” drive organized by the 1st Presbyterian Church in Hightstown. Since then, she has found employment but her earnings do not cover the cost of living. For this reason, she receives fruits, vegetables, meats and more from our Food Pantry on a weekly basis. 
It is so important to bring more awareness about our existence throughout the Hightstown-East Windsor Community. I am sure there are people who would be willing and able to help our agency if they knew more about us. We greatly appreciate all the support we received in the past and we are glad to be fortunate enough to have many volunteers who donate their time and experience to help our community.
Sincerely,
Cristiana Ciobanu      
Case Manager
Rise | A Community Service Partnership
116 N Main St.
Hightstown, NJ 08520
Phone: 609.443.4464
Fax: 609.443.4866
www.rise-community-services.org