AIDS Walk for Life is Saturday

There is still time to join the AIDS Walk for Life, happening this Saturday, September 28!

It's the area's largest event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for HIV prevention and testing, and providing care for people living with HIV/AIDS.  It starts at 9 a.m. on the State House lawn (city side).

See us on The Rhode Show here.  Sign up here.

Tips for Speaking with a Child in the DC Navy Yard Shootings Aftermath

Parents may have questions about how to talk with a child about the DC Navy Yard shootings.

The child trauma and loss center at Family Service of RI, the state site for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, offers some quick tips:

--Limit exposure to the media.  Be aware that children are always listening.

--If a child is asking questions about the event, reassure that he/she is safe.

--Keep adult conversations for adult ears only.

More tips and resources are available here.

Starting the School Year Right Thanks to National Grid

Back row, l to r, National Grid's Gladys Sarji; 
Family Service of RI's Adrienne Nicoloro, Tigest Gizaw; 
National Grid's Karen Jasinowski. Front, l to r,
Family Service of RI's Samantha Hightower, Candace 
Johndrow; National Grid's Shelby Doherty

Thanks to National Grid employees, many youngsters and teachers are starting the school year right!

National Grid selected a small number of nonprofits--including, fortunately, Family Service of RI--to donate school supplies to so students and their teachers will have the tools they need to succeed.

They provided us 49 backpacks filled with school supplies as well as additional school supplies. Donations were directed to Family Service of RI's Youth Success program and The Providence Children's Initiative.

Youth Success helps Providence youth, both male and female, with pregnancy, parenting and education issues.  The Providence Children's Initiative is our South Providence-based program working to improve academic, economic and social outcomes; one of its well-known efforts is The Walking School Bus.

Many thanks to National Grid and its generous employees!