News  Bristol Probate & Family Probation employees celebrate Lunar New Year

Pictured from left: Probation Officer Ana Rodrigues, Probation Officer Casey Martins, Probation Officer Ryan Lefebvre, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Joyce George, Probation Case Specialist En Fen Li, Probation Officer Kelly Manchester, and Probation Case Specialist Elizabeth Cabral Dipippo.

Bristol Probate & Family Probation employees celebrated the Lunar New Year, observed from January 25 to February 8, by holding a surprise party for their colleague Probation Case Specialist En Fen Li.

When Li arrived at work, her colleagues were all dressed in red, a color that symbolizes good luck in the Chinese culture, according to Li. They also presented Li with flowers and decorated the office with red paper lanterns and a festive red banner marked with Chinese letters. Lunar New Year is also referred to as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival. 2020 is the “Year of the Rat” which represents fortune, career, health, and love prospects.

“I was very surprised and honored that my colleagues did this for me,” Li said.

“The heartwarming part of our organization is that we celebrate everyone. This was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the culture and diversity of our staff,” said Ana Rodrigues, Bristol Probate & Family Probation Officer and a Cultural Proficiency Champion, who helped organize the celebration.

During the 15-day Lunar Year celebration, families eat a new year meal of round ball soup consisting of sticky rice, according to Li. They also share lucky candy and oranges. The older generation gifts their younger relatives with money in envelopes. It is customary for the Dragon Lion Dance, dancers who perform in dragon and lion costumes to the beat of large drums. A Lantern Festival is held on the 15^th and final day of the celebration.