Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop have benefited from Community Action Programs Inter City (CAPIC), an organization that has earned national recognition for its work with low-income families. Executive Director Robert Reppucci has guided this effort.
More than 2,700 residents across the three communities have utilized CAPIC’s fuel assistance program, which stands as one of the agency’s most essential offerings.
The program now entering its sixth decade has been managed by energy director Giancarlo DeSario since July of last year. The team’s capacity to serve residents has grown following the appointment of Henry Wilson, a respected Chelsea community figure, as outreach coordinator, strengthening both the program’s reach and public awareness of CAPIC’s diverse services.
Those seeking fuel assistance should understand the application process, which DeSario has detailed.
“If someone finds themselves in need –
whether they’re a tenant, homeowner, family or single person – they should call
the CAPIC fuel assistance line to set up an appointment,” DeSario stated. “We
would conduct an interview with the individual and review all their paperwork.
We’ll let them know if we need additional information and then we’ll process
their application in about 30-45 days.”
Income requirements must be satisfied to qualify for fuel assistance.
“In order to qualify for fuel assistance,
you need to be at 60 per cent of the state median income, which for a single
person would be $35,510; for a family of four people, it would be $68,280,” explained DeSario.
November through April marks the period when CAPIC covers heating costs.
Federal and state grants fund the fuel assistance program, according to DeSario. The organization awaits state approval of a supplemental budget allocation.
DeSario noted that “What we’re looking for is $30 million extra
dollars in funding to help out with this heating season, but we’re looking
closer to receiving $11 million,”. Efforts to obtain greater funding have involved Chelsea’s state legislators, with whom CAPIC maintains active coordination.
Throughout his time in the role, DeSario has prioritized direct engagement with clients and “get out in the field”. His approachability has earned him recognition.
“I’m always available – I hand out my direct
extension to clients all the time,” DeSario remarked. “I find it’s really important
that if you’re going to serve clients correctly, you have to be in touch with
them and understand their needs.”
Roots and Background
Maine was DeSario’s childhood home, though his ties to this area run deep. “I’ve been coming to East Boston since I was
a child. My mother (Yolanda DeSario) moved here from Italy when she was 10
years old. And my grandmother (Maria Caserta) has been living in East Boston for
50 years.”
After attending high school in Maine, DeSario earned a degree in Business and Legal Studies from Roger Williams University.
His initial career path led him into woodworking, where he eventually advanced to project manager, handling assignments for clients across Manhattan and Long Island, New York.
The solar industry became DeSario’s next chapter, beginning as a district site surveyor before ascending to operations manager, a position that involved managing multiple New England projects.
Last July brought DeSario to CAPIC. “I saw a
position was open and I applied for it. I was ready to go back to my old job
when I got a call from Executive Director Robert Repucci, requesting that I
come in for an interview.”
DeSario, alongside CAPIC’s entire staff and the surrounding community, recognizes the exceptional stewardship provided by Reppucci, who has served as one of Chelsea’s most respected and influential leaders since arriving at CAPIC in 1972.
“Mr. Repucci is an outstanding leader of
CAPIC and in the community as a whole,” DeSario offered. “He really pushes you to
be a better person. He’s inspiring. He wants you to put people ahead of
yourself, and you can tell, because he does that. He leads by example and I
respect that about him.”
CAPIC’s team has also impressed DeSario with their professionalism and expertise.
“I was fortunate to come in to an agency
where we have some really key players who know the programs in and out,” DeSario stated. “The transition in to this industry was tough, because you don’t know
it – but I was lucky to have a very good support group here to help out. They
really care about the programs succeeding.”
The work proves gratifying to DeSario, who values the positive feedback from those he serves.
“There is nothing
better than when we get a letter (of gratitude) or a phone call from a client
who had no heat and we were able to restore a heating system that went out
overnight, replace a heating system with a new one, or weatherize someone’s
home,” DeSario commented.