Perfecting The Art of Helping Others.

Before interning for the Canton Senior and Social Services Department Ashley Criniti was convinced she wanted to work with children.

And the Central Connecticut State University senior may still well go in that direction but her interaction with seniors in Canton has changed her perspective.

“Being here has definitely given me a different view of the elderly population and I’m definitely enjoying it a lot more,” she said.

Criniti, a Tolland native, is interning for credit, working roughly 14 hours a week until she graduates in May. She done four internships and has worked with many age groups and segments of the population.

In Canton, she’s working closely with seniors and others, helping start a TRIAD program designed to coordinate and expand existing safety efforts for seniors. She’s also been around many senior events and lunches and has enjoyed meeting so many of Canton’s elders, many of who are quick with a joke or a light look on everyday situations.

“Every day they have you laughing,” she said.

Of course, the department works with people of all ages who are struggling with financial or other hardships.

Criniti, looking to obtain her bachelor’s in social work at CCSU, said she’s been impressed with how department coordinator Claire Cote works with everyone.

“The way she advocates for all of her clients is just tremendous,” she said.

Cote in turn said Criniti is a great for the department.

“Ashley has been an excellent addition to our small but active office, hitting the ground running by getting trained within her first week on software we use to assist clients in applying for the Energy Assistance program,” Cote said.

Cote added that Criniti has worked with several clients and already has "seen some client cases the entire way through, from intake to goal setting to problem-solving, counseling and resource providing, to follow up and termination."

Criniti said she has also enjoyed getting to know the town a little. 

"I feel like it's a very active community, which is great," she said. 

Criniti plans to go on and get a master's in Social Work. Wherever she ends up Criniti will be an asset, Cote said. 

“I am able to supervise Ashley and the work she does here because of my degree in social work and I will be proud to call Ashley a colleague once she has completed her studies,” Cote said.