Membership

Becoming a member of Coastal Neighbors brings a host of benefits, all designed to help you stay safe, independent and connected in your community. Membership is open to all residents of Dartmouth and Westport age 50 and older. We offer several membership options.

Become a Member

We know you will want more information about Coastal Neighbors and our services before deciding to become a member. Just indicate your interest by filling out this Online Information Form. After receiving your form, our executive director will contact you to set up a time to discuss your needs and our program. Payment is not required until after the application is finalized.

Questions

If you would like more information about membership in Coastal Neighbors, feel free to contact us at office@coastalneighborsnetwork.org or 508-556-4004. We can put you in touch with a current member who would be happy to share their experiences and answer your questions. 

Who are Our Members

Gert Libratore, Service Member

Gert Liberatore is a person who likes to be active! She’s applied that energy and enthusiasm to her whole life, from her childhood in Fall River to a wonderful life with her husband Edward as they raised three daughters, a 30-year career at Pleasant Drug in Fall River, and a host of volunteer activities. A dedicated crafter, Gert enjoys a variety of creative hobbies including painting colorful designs on slate, quilting, embroidery, crocheting and sewing. After retirement at age 60, Gert helped out by taking care of her grandchildren but also continued to volunteer with several local organizations including the Charlton Hospital gift shop, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Westport Veterans’ Administration office. “I know how lucky I am to be in good health and still able to help others,” she says. Gert loves being a Coastal Neighbors service member, especially the opportunity to get together with people at regular social events. “I’ve met such wonderful people and they’ve all been so welcoming.” Recently, a volunteer crew came by to help with furniture moving. “They were amazing,” she says. “Coastal Neighbors has been a wonderful addition to my life.”

Paul DeMendonca, Service Member

Paul DeMendonca has been cooking for himself for years, through his three-decade career as a special education teacher in the Fall River school system. But now in retirement, he wanted to “spice up” his culinary skills. Retired chef and Coastal Neighbors volunteer Jim Mercer was happy to provide some advice. Paul encounters some special challenges in the kitchen because he’s visually impaired and in the last few years he has lost his sight completely. “But I like to do as much as I can by myself,” he says, and has made lots of adjustments already in how he prepares meals. Jim was able to offer some additional expert tips to make Paul’s routine more efficient. “My goal was just to give Paul a few suggestions that would give him more confidence in the kitchen,” Jim says. They cooked up some new recipes for one-pan meals that Paul can cook in quantity and freeze in small containers for the future. In fact, he’s been so inspired that he’s creating a Braille card cookbook with all the new recipes! “This kind of help in the house makes my life easier,” says Paul. “But it’s not only the actual assistance; it’s also the opportunity to meet and get to know some great people – people like Jim.”

Henry DeJesus, Service Member

Henry DeJesus welcomes a visitor into his comfortable Dartmouth home with a friendly handshake. In his nearly 102 years of life Henry holds many still-vivid memories that are undiminished even though he is legally blind and partially deaf. Born in New Bedford in 1924, Henry’s childhood was filled with wonderful free-roaming experiences. He shares one story of his involvement in his grandfather’s moonshine business. Though Vavo’s operation was technically illegal during Prohibition, the local police conveniently failed to notice it because the nearby mill owners loved the wine and whiskey. And it was six-year-old Henry’s job to monitor the still! Henry and his first wife Ora were married for 57 years until she died in 2000. He had worked at Goodhue Lumber in Middleboro while his wife pursued a nursing career. But it was in 1990 that his interests turned to food service when he acquired Sharrock’s Bakery and began producing its signature crumpets, which the popular bakery still offers. Today, Henry’s life with his wife Shaleen is peaceful and quiet. The highlight of his week are visits from Nina Rensenhouse and Laurie Kinney, his dedicated Coastal Neighbors volunteers, who play his favorite game of cribbage using a special version designed for the visually impaired. But whether he wins or loses at cribbage, Coastal Neighbors keeps Henry connected and socially engaged.