TESTIMONIALS 2021

Cassandra Marie Little

I just wanted to say thank you once again on behalf of all the mothers & children here at Behavioral Health Network (BHN formerly known as Phoenix House). 

"What you guys do is amazing. When I graduate from this program I’ll definitely be reaching out to you guys to pay it forward and volunteer to help in anyway I can". 

On Christmas morning when everyone else gets their backpacks & gifts I’ll be sure to tell them everything you told me about Ricky and all the amazing things you've done & continue to do in honor of him.♡♡♡

Cassandra

Merry Christmas!

What you are doing with Ricky, Inc is so important and as a Veteran who sees what you are doing to help other veterans, I am humbled. It is a pleasure to partner with Ricky, Inc. as we will continue to donate materials for your backpack programs that include veterans seeking help at local VA Hospitals. "I think the work you do is amazing and very impressive - thank you for all that you do for our veterans".

Domenic Marcellino

Disabled & Limbless Veterans Inc.

President and Founding Member

CPL (RET) US Marine Corps

Vietnam Combat Veteran & Triple Amputee

New Joelyn’s Home – Victory Program

Dear Richie and Bernadette,

Thank you so, so much for everything last night. It meant so much to the ladies. I talked to them about it again this morning and they just reiterated how it strengthens their resolve to stay in treatment.

Bernadette, one of the clients spoke about how she had been thinking about leaving and thought all she needed was a backpack. When the backpacks arrived, her first thought was it was a sign she should leave. But after listening to Richie speak, she decided to stay. “She’s been disengaged from groups and services for a while now, and today in my group she opened up and was more vulnerable than I’ve seen her in weeks”.

Thanks again so much.

Best,

Walter Kikuchi

Program Director

NJH | Victory Programs Inc.

70 Brookledge Street

Dorchester, MA 02121

Tel: 617.456.1201 x124 

Email: wkikuchi@vpi.org

Pronouns: he/him/his

Richard, Michael, and Lisa,

I wanted to thank you all for your time yesterday coming in to talk to the women at our program. “You left a piece of your story, heart, and your son’s memory with all of us”. 

I cannot thank you all enough for your kindness and consideration; it was truly a special and necessary experience.

Thank you again, we hope to have you all back again!

Please have a restful and wonderful holiday!

Christine Kelly, LADC II

Senior Counselor

New Joelyn's Home | Victory Programs, Inc.

Hi, I'm currently at New Joelyn’s Home and I just want to thank you for everything you've done for our house and countless other people. “You guys are truly angels on earth”. 

I didn't sit in on the zoom call because I just got off the phone with my sponsor. But I just had to tell you that not only for myself, but “I have the urge and motivation to stay clean because Ricky and countless amount of my friends don't have another chance at it”. 

I owe it to them, myself, my family and friends, and you guys.

 Cierra 

Chad Wood - Quincy

Good morning. I’m sorry it took a few days for me to respond after I met your husband that day, the next day. I just was really sick. I don’t know what’s wrong and I finally feel a little better today but I definitely want to send you a message and truly say thank you from the bottom my heart for what you did. 

You went above and beyond to put a smile on my kids’ faces and I truly appreciate that. Even though things are a little struggle right now you definitely brightened up their Christmas more than you could imagine and even though, unfortunately I’m not able to do a lot this year for them, the biggest thing I can do for them is be there on Christmas and that is what my intention is to do. 

Thanks to your help, your heart and your dedication to helping others, my kids are going to smile a little more on Christmas. I know we just met recently and for that I am truly grateful that we did, but I wanted to send you this message so that way "you will know Christmas morning three boys will be smiling because of the help you offered to a complete stranger". 

Thank you, happy holidays and God bless you and your family.
 

P. S. I wanted to add that your husband is a good man as well. We sat and chatted for a little while and he doesn’t even realize how much that conversation meant to me. I wanted to thank him for that because we spoke about a couple personal things as far as one of my other child that is no longer with us. I don’t really talk about it much without even knowing who are you, but he made me feel good enough to finally talk about it a little bit and for that I will be forever grateful. "So please tell him thank you from the bottom my heart for treating a complete stranger like a human being and a father".
 

I know one thing for sure; Ricky is definitely looking down on you guys in such an awe of how amazing you both are in everything that you guys are doing today.

Chad Wood

Andrew House - Jamaica Plain

Hello Bernadette,

Self-proclaimed mama's boy, I love it!!!! 

I am happy to hear that your Ricky felt so respected here. As I said the staff really adored him, we have his photos hung in the offices. He was a special member of our program and we are so lucky to have a relationship with you all to continue to honor him.

Thank you for everything that you dropped off. The clients loved everything and were very appreciative of the backpacks. I will definitely keep you posted on what is needed for the Ricky Memorial Reading Room.

Also, thank you for providing the information for the Ricky, Inc. website. I took a look at it and it actually brought me to tears. I am so sorry for the loss of your son, he really was adored here at AHB. The work that you and your family do is such a beautiful way to honor such a special man, Ricky. 

Thank you for all you do for Andrew House and I really look forward to seeing you in November. 

Take care and talk/see you soon! 

Also, please feel free to reach out to me anytime!

Regards,

Shawnna Smith, LCSW

Program Director

Andrew House Boston

Bay Cove Human Services

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Jamaica Plain -VA - Boston HCS

On behalf of the VA Boston Healthcare System patients and staff, we would like to extend our appreciation to you for your donation of comfort-care backpacks to our Veterans enrolled in our Substance Abuse programs, containing toiletries, clothing and informational resources for help.

It is through the community efforts of partners like you that allow us to continue the quality of care and services that we seek to provide our deserving Veterans. 

"Without your support we could not provide the niceties that make the roads to recovery and transition more bearable. Thank you for your friendship and support".  

Jeff Lewis

Chief Voluntary Service

BPHC Engagement Center - Boston

Backpack distribution event during a cold day in February in which a man received a backpack filled with personal needs items including a winter hat, gloves, neck warmer, face mask and hand warmers.

The man, after inspecting the contents of his new backpack stated "Perfect timing, all of these will come in handy right now".  

Engagement Center Backpack Recipient

Andrew House Detox Facility Boston - Bay Cove 

"Thank you so much for the donations. So far the guys are loving the new reading options and care packages, especially the cookies! I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you as well, but your husband is very kind and seemed to like the room we dedicated to Ricky. I also hope you can come in and see it soon! I've heard nothing but great things about your son, and I'm sure he is very proud of all you're doing in his honor."

Cherelle Ball

Case Aide Manager

Andrew House

Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross 

 Commissioner Gross stated " I will continue to support and work in partnership with Ricky, Inc. and the Boston Police Department in an effort to help members of our community".  He also stated "what you're doing is such great work and something that is badly needed; I'm so happy that you're doing all of this and keeping Ricky's memory alive" . Commissioner Gross wishes to be notified of our activities together in Boston and would like to join us in our community events as a volunteer. 

Norwood Veterans Services 

"What a great organization Ricky, Inc. is and helps so very many people in need; it's very impressive what they do. I'm proud to be able to say that I'm a part of it". 

Edmund "Teddy" Mulvehill Jr.

Director of Norwood Veterans Services

Norwood Town Hall