Press Release: November 2, 2007
Contact:  Elizabeth Marsis, Operations Manager (401) 728-5555

Pawtucket, RI — MetLife Foundation recently awarded a Volunteer Ventures grant of $1,000 to the George Wiley Center in support of a project proposed by David Hammarstrom, the Corporate Communications Officer at the Quaker Lane facility. The project will allow the Wiley Center, the state’s foremost utility consumer advocacy agency, to have information on utility consumer rights and “how to prevent utility shut-offs” translated into Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese for print and electronic distribution.

David Hammarstrom, Corporate Communications Officer for MetLife presents Volunteer Ventures grant check to Elizabeth Marsis, Operations Manager of The George Wiley Center.

The Volunteer Ventures Program encourages and supports employee involvement at the local level in nonprofit organizations that work to improve the quality of life for all. David Hammarstrom, a former member of the Board of Directors and Providence resident, continues to volunteer many hours to the Wiley Center’s RI Campaign to Eliminate Poverty. Grants are made for specific projects in which MetLife employees have continuing involvement as volunteers.

The Wiley Center is seeking to expand its reach into the Spanish-speaking community.

“Shut-offs happen because rent and utility bills are high, while wage and social security incomes are too low for thousands of people in Rhode Island,” stated agency founder Henry Shelton. “When people have problems keeping up with the payments and call the Division of Public Utilities for assistance, they are often turned away without being fully informed of or granted their rights for a fair hearing under the law.”

The Wiley Center holds open monthly meetings around the state for people to learn about utility company rules and regulations and receive advocacy training. The office is actively looking for volunteers for bi-lingual telephone reception to help field calls from people who are struggling with utility shut-off issues.

For more information about preventing utility shut-offs through consumer advocacy and/or grassroots lobbying, contact the Wiley Center at 401-728-5555.