RICKY,Inc

On Wednesday Sept. 11, 2024 Ricky, Inc. delivered select furniture to Andrew House in Jamica Plain to outfit the "Ricky Giacoppo Memorial Reading Room".

The reading room had sustained a flooding problem last year and most of the original materials were destroyed.

The Giacoppo family has pledged to always keep this room outfitted and functioning in memory of their son Ricky.

Ricky, Inc. purchased all new furniture once the room was restored including a bookcase and padded rocking chair.

We filled with bookcase with several books, games, puzzles, art supplies and recovery books & information.

The original photo of Ricky and the dedication frames were saved by the staff and reinstalled in their original positions.

On top of the bookcase, we provided a lamp, plant, 2 inspirational plaques and a wooden statue.

Thank you to Andrew House and former director Maritza Castillo for dedicating this area on Dec. 9, 2020 in memory of Ricky.

We also provided a sofa/loveseat, a standup lamp and a coffee table for the clients to enjoy and relax in this special area.

On top of the coffee table is a plant, a case of markers and two 3-ring binders that contain hundreds of copies from two adult coloring books. These copies are for the clients to use at their leisure.

Ricky spent a lot of time in this room, reading and drawing

Pictured above is Rebecca Goldman (2nd from the left) and her staff with Rich. 

Rebecca is the Director of Diversionary Services and has been instrumental in restoring and rededicating the Ricky Memorial Reading Room.

Special thanks and our heartfelt appreciation go out to Rebecca for her kindness, consideration & support.

On Thursday August 8, 2024 members of Ricky. Inc.'s distribution team stopped in on the Boston Public Health Commission's programs AHOPE & PAATHS on Albany Street in Boston.

Each organization received the exact same products from Ricky, Inc. and instead of having all of the materials already packed inside of the 70 backpacks (35 AHOPE & 35 PAATHS), all of the hygiene, clothing and personal needs products were separately packaged so that their clients could build their own backpacks to their individual wishes. 

Above, you see the dozens of boxes that were delivered to each of these great organizations containing, backpacks, socks, underwear, water bottles, all hygiene products, sunscreen, antibacterial cream, band aids, sunglasses, rain poncho's, 

chap stick lip balm and much more.

We have been distributing backpacks and materials to both organizations twice a year for the last 5 years and find it a pleasure to collaborate with such dedicated and hardworking people that comprise their staff's. These two organizations are on the front lines every day and making a difference in the lives of people who need it the most.

Left to right Bill Ricky, Inc. Volunteer, Remy from AHOPE, Kenny AHOPE Assistant Director, Sarah AHOPE Director, Rich President Ricky Inc., Leroy PAATHS Director. 

Thank you to all staff seen and unseen for the lifesaving work you do with kindness and respect for those you serve. 

You truly are the real "unseen heroes of Boston"

We at Ricky, Inc. have so much respect and admiration for the AHOPE & PAATHS (BPHC) programs, that we wanted to give a description of what important work they do for those individuals facing many of life's crises like homelessness, substance use disorder, and mental health disorders.

“AHOPE”

Access, Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention and Education (AHOPE) is a harm reduction and needle exchange site.

AHOPE can be reached at 617-534-3976

We provide a range of service to active injection drug users, including integrated HIV, Hepatitis, and STI testing free, legal, and anonymous needle exchange supported referrals to HIV, Hepatitis, STI treatment, and medical help. overdose prevention education and training risk reduction supplies to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C infection risk reduction counseling, and referrals to all kinds of substance use treatment programs.

RECOVERY SERVICES

617-534-3976

WALK-IN AND MOBILE VAN SERVICES

AHOPE services are available at the walk-in center at 

774 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118:

LOCATION DAY HOURS

774 Albany Street

Monday - Friday

7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

(Closed for lunch from 12 - 1 p.m.)

Saturday - Closed

Sunday - Closed

The Community Care in Reach Van is staffed by both AHOPE outreach workers and medical providers from Health Care for the Homeless. It provides the following services:

ADDICTION SERVICES:

Medications for addiction treatment and referrals to opioid treatment programs and in-patient detox

HARM REDUCTION:

Naloxone, overdose prevention education, risk reduction counseling, and syringe exchange

PREVENTIVE CARE:

Screenings, immunizations, chronic disease management (including hypertension, diabetes, HIV treatment) Referrals to behavioral health, hepatitis C treatment, specialty medical care, and other services based on patient needs and preferences

THE COMMUNITY CARE VAN – LOCATION / DAY / HOURS

Haverhill Street

Monday

8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Nubian Square

Monday

12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Nubian Square

Wednesday

12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Haverhill Street

Thursday

12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

“PAATHS” 

Providing Access to Addictions Treatment, Hope and Support

TREATMENT PROGRAMS

We can help you get access to treatment programs, including detox and CSS/TSS programs

medication assisted treatment and outpatient treatment programs.

We also connect clients to overdose prevention and risk reduction services. There are many paths to recovery. Let us help you find yours.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Eligibility is simple. We serve any individual or family from the Greater Boston area in need of information related to substance use, regardless of insurance status.

We have Spanish speaking staff available, and we can also help with transportation.

PAATHS WALK-IN HOURS

The program is located at 

774 Albany Street, 1st floor, Boston, MA 02118 

Please call (857) 507-1279 for more information. We offer services on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive early to make sure you can speak to us:

LOCATION DAY HOURS

774 Albany Street

Monday - Friday

7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

(On the first and third Wednesday of the month, we're closed from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.)

Saturday - Closed

Sunday - Closed

Shortly after our visit and donation to “PAATHS”, we received a very much appreciated thank you email titled "Big Thanks !!!!! from long-time AHOPE counselor Kenny Washington. It's always rewarding when we receive such nice feedback and AHOPE has always collaborated with us in many different and resourceful ways.

Thank You to all of the staff at AHOPE & PAATHS for all of the great work that you do every day.

BIG THANKS!!!!!

I would just like to extend the gratitude that AHOPE has for the donation you provide to our people. The essential supplies are needed and appreciated beyond measure. 

“Ricky, Inc. has come through time and time again for the most vulnerable population when others have turned their backs”. 

We only hope that your compassion and dedication is noticed by others as much as it is recognized by us and our participants.

With all the Love,

AHOPE Family

Brothers and fellow Board members

 Rich & Scott Giacoppo

A New England Patriots Legend

Hall of Fame Linebacker Andre Tippett

Personalized ceremonial award football 

Christopher, Rich & Bernadette Giacoppo enjoying the moment at Gillette.

Rich strongly feels that Bernadette's name should be on the award as well because this would not be possible without her hard work & dedication.

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft addresses the award recipients and their guests during the luncheon

Having realized that Ricky, Inc. has just won the grand prize, Rich thinks about Ricky & Nick

Rich is overcome with emotion as this journey has been extremely difficult to navigate over the past 5-years

Christopher Giacoppo helps his Dad to the stage to receive his award.

Rich had a total hip replacement surgery 7-days before the event.

Rich accepting the grand prize from Robert Kraft

Giving thanks to all, especially those from above, as Robert Kraft and Kara Buckley cheers him on.

A true Hall-Of-Famer, Andre Tippett is ready in case there is a fumble. 

The Giacoppo's admiring the six NFL World Champion Lombardi Trophies

Special thanks go out to Christopher & Scott for escorting Rich around Gillette Stadium in a wheelchair. 

If not for them, he would not have been able to attend this event

Christopher proudly showing the world that we have SIX Lombardi's.

That's right Peyton.... "SIX" 

On Thursday February 28, 2024 Ricky, Inc. hosted a table at the VFW on Winn Street in Burlington, MA. during the bi-weekly "Breakfast & Coffee for a Vet".

This event is held in different locations throughout Middlesex County and provides a valuable resource for veterans that may be struggling with many different life difficulties, including homelessness. It is hosted by the Middlesex County Sheriffs Association, Disabled and Limbless Veterans and the VFW.

Ricky, Inc. was able to distribute "26" backpacks to the veterans that attended and received resource information from Rich.

Pictured above is (L-R) Marcel Haddad, Rich Giacoppo, Mike Giacoppo, Richie Reddican and one of our valued veterans.

As always, Ricky, Inc. was available to provide important information to our veterans.

Included in each of our backpacks was a very detailed resource manual specially designed to help veterans. 

This booklet contained dozens of pages of contact information on addiction services (substance use disorder), detox centers, shelters for veterans, suicide detection & prevention, how to get meals and clothing, transitional housing support, women's veterans services, mental health support, how to avoid scams and accidental overdose using pain medication.

The contents of our backpacks was on display for our veterans to see what their new backpack would contain.

Each backpack contained the following:

Winter hat, winter gloves, scarf, fleece blanket, thermal blanket, three pairs of socks, wipes, combs, foot powder, tissues, band aids, bacitracin, condoms, and a hygiene kit including shampoo, shave cream, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, toothbrush case and the all-important Ricky, Inc. Veterans Resource Manual.

Each veteran stopped by our table, received their backpack and told us how incredibly grateful they were for Ricky, Inc. and that they really appreciated and needed these materials.

Ricky, Inc. would like to thank each and every veteran for their service to our country and remind them that we are here to help them in any way that we can.