Lori Turner is Middletown's Healthy Communities Coordinator. We chat with Turner about her job, hopes and the need in town, which is far more than most might realize. #MiddletownRI
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CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
MIDDLETOWN Q&A — LORI TURNER
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (FEBRUARY 6, 2023) – Late last year, Portsmouth native Lori Turner was hired as the town’s first Healthy Communities Coordinator. Recently, we asked Turner several questions to introduce her to the community and help spread the word to Middletown — and beyond.
1 – Tell us about the new Outreach Department.
The mission of the Outreach Department is to support the efforts and meet the needs of all community members by delivering enrichment, guidance and wellness opportunities. The goal is to identify gaps in services for residents and work together as a community to meet those needs. I’ve also been helping individuals who call Town Hall in need of support and holding Outreach Department hours at the Middletown Public Library community room every Wednesday morning from 10-12 for people to drop in.
2 – You’ve been on the job for a few months now. Give us the story about one success of the department so far.
We partnered with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, East Bay Community Action Program and RI Community Food Bank to bring the MLK’s Mobile Food Pantry to Linden Park. Johanny Sanchez from RI Food Bank offered Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Progran (SNAP) information and applications, Gerry LePage shared about resources EBCAP offers and the team of staff and volunteers from MLK served 17 families for a total of 40 people with groceries. The town and schools shared on social media and Megan Mainzer, the school’s homeless liaison, contacted families about this opportunity.
We’ve improved our Middletown Services page online at https://mdl.town/Services and are also in the process of creating introduction videos for new students for each of the schools. After meeting with Pam Martin, the School Liaison Officer for Naval Station Newport, I learned 26 percent of the students in our district come from military families. These introduction videos will give students a glimpse of what a day in the life at their new school will be like before arriving and hopefully allay some of the fears that arise from being the new kid.
3 – What’s the biggest need in Middletown, based on your observations to date?
Middletown is a great community with a lot of resources, most notably its residents, businesses and local nonprofits. One need is to make it more affordable for the average working person to live here. Data I’ve seen shows that rents have gone up on average $500 in the last five years. I’m grateful to the Newport Housing Hotline for their work and to the Town Council and town for making housing a priority and creating policies such as the tiered tax plan to help people stay in their homes.
4 – What’s the most rewarding part of your job day to day?
Getting to know new people and working together to shape policies that benefit students and the greater community.
5 – Provide advice to someone looking to get into a career helping others?
There’s always a place to volunteer that fits your interest. By volunteering, you’re able to learn first-hand more about the work, gain experience and be a great resource for the organization/community.
6 – How do people contact you if they’re looking for help?
Call my office at 842-6599 or send an email lturner@middletownri.com.
7 – What’s your background before you arrived in Middletown?
Most recently, I was the Program and Marketing Director for Newport Partnership for Families. It’s a collaboration of nonprofits in the area that work together to support initiatives in the Newport schools and community. I have spent time working with students and families throughout my career in various capacities and am excited to use those skills and experiences in this new role. I grew up in Portsmouth and after attending school in Virginia and working in Texas for many years, I’m glad to be back on the island and involved in the community. To help me with my job, I have a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Education , where I’m certified to teach grades 1-6.
8 – Tell us what it’s like working for the Town of Middletown?
It’s been great! People really care about the community and work together.
9 – Anything else you’d like to add to help provide a better sense of the Outreach Department.
We’re always looking for people who are interested in volunteering, getting involved or have ideas on ways to strengthen the community.
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/6868/QA-Turner
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