John Clarke Senior Living courtyard renovated with BankNewport

Photo: (l to r) – John Thorpe, JCSL President of the Board; John Sweeney, BankNewport Vice President, Director of Cash Management and JCSL Board Member; Joan Woods, JCSL CEO; and Jack Murphy, BankNewport President & CEO.

BankNewport CEO Jack Murphy joined John Clarke Senior Living CEO Joan Woods, staff and residents for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of their courtyard renovation project at 600 Valley Road in Middletown, RI.  The Bank provided grants to John Clarke Senior Living to support the courtyard renovation and other facility improvements to positively impact the organization’s overall community space for senior residents’ activities and programming.  

“As a true community bank, supporting our neighbors is essential to our mission,” said Jack Murphy, President and CEO, BankNewport.  “We are extremely proud that our funding helped transform the John Clarke courtyard into a beautiful, tranquil outdoor space, creating a more homelike environment for their residents and staff to enjoy.”

“We are so grateful for BankNewport’s support,” said Joan Woods, CEO, John Clarke Senior Living.  “Our facility is over 40 years old and requires a series of capital improvements.  Having BankNewport invest in those improvements is a demonstration of their commitment to us, as a partner in achieving our mission to improve the lives we serve with respect, compassion, and kindness.”

Studies show that more homelike and inviting indoor and outdoor living spaces for seniors residing in retirement, assisted living, or nursing facilities, greatly impacts their overall level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. John Clarke activities programming includes gardening, painting, ceramics, drumming circles, and exercise classes, all designed to help residents improve their fine motor skills, sharpen their focus, and derive other benefits, including pain relief. Taking the activities outside as often as possible has also helped residents elevate their mood and engage more with each other, as well as with the natural environment.

In addition to grant funding, BankNewport has conducted a BNWise financial education session for John Clarke residents focused on Elder Fraud.

John Clarke Senior Living (JCSL) Large Group Caption (pictured left to right):   

David Maine, Secretary of the Board/JCSL; Hugh Hall, Treasurer/JCSL; Steven Carneiro, BankNewport Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer; Kim Dougherty, JCSL Director of Nursing; Jack Murphy, BankNewport President & CEO;  John Thorpe, JCSL President of the Board; Joan Woods, JCSL CEO; Cindy Macioci, JCSL Executive Director; John Sweeney, BankNewport Vice President, Director of Cash Management and JCSL Board Member; Katherine Finnegan-Walker, JCSL Director of Social Services; Louise Dinsmore, Principal, Partners in Philanthropy; and Jennifer Croce, JCSL Business Office Director. 

About BankNewport:

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the longest-standing community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. BankNewport has 18 branch locations and a commercial lending office in Providence. OceanPoint Marine Lending, a business line of BankNewport, specializes in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs.

Through its All In Giving program, BankNewport is committed to supporting nonprofits with areas of impact focused on basic human needs, children and families, education, economic security, healthy lives, arts and culture, and the environment.  BankNewport has awarded over $8 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past ten years to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives and communities throughout Rhode Island. Financial education and community service performed by employees totals 8,500 hours annually.  For more information, please visit www.BankNewport.com.