Rhode Island Marks World AIDS Day Over the Next Five Days

A number of World AIDS Day activities are taking place in Rhode Island starting on Sunday and continuing for a number of days.  Prevention is the theme.

For more information and a complete listing of events, please click here.

You're Invited to the State House for World AIDS Day Event

Designer Estate Clothing Sale Saturday November 23

The administration team at Whole Foods Market University Heights in Providence recently volunteered to help Family Service of Rhode Island prepare for their clothing sale as part of their team building and desire to support the community during the holiday season.

Support the work of Family Service of Rhode Island by attending a Designer Estate Clothing Sale, Saturday, November 23, 9 to noon at 404 Wickenden Street in Providence's Fox Point neighborhood.

Family Service of Rhode Island received a huge donation of women's clothing, including designer evening wear, career wear, outerwear, shoes, jewelry and accessories. 

Names like Jones of New York, Ralph Lauren and Anne Klein are included in the collection, which features mostly sizes 10 to 12.

  

For more information, please call Julie Casimiro at 401-519-2289 or email her at casimiroju@familyserviceri.org.

Your support assists in Family Service of Rhode Island’s work helping children traumatized by crime and violence, students facing educational barriers such as absenteeism and bullying, families in poverty, and many others in need in Rhode Island.

State Police Major Leads Walking School Bus

State Police Major James M. Manni led Family Service of Rhode Island’s Walking School Bus Tuesday afternoon, November 12, starting at the Mary E. Fogarty Elementary School in Providence.  It started to get very cold as the children ended the school day and had to begin the journey home.

The Walking School Bus provides routes to and from school led by volunteers.  The initiative ensures that each child, living within a mile of the school, who needs to walk arrives on time and returns home safely, even when a family member is unable to walk with him or her. 

The Walking School Bus is reducing school tardiness and absenteeism. The program also promotes a positive community spirit as volunteers and school children walk through the neighborhoods surrounding the school.

The Walking School Bus is part of Family Service of Rhode Island’s “Providence Children’s Initiative,” based at the school and providing a comprehensive, collaborative program to improve educational and social development outcomes for children and families in the South Providence neighborhood.

Family Service of Rhode Island has invited a number of community leaders to lead the Walking School Bus to raise awareness of the program and to help recruit volunteers.  Anyone interested in volunteering should call 401-331-1350 ext. 3457.

Bringing Business and Faith Communities Together to Help People in Need

Barbara Martin, LICSW, of Pawtucket, received the Rhode Island State Council of Churches’ “Partners in Faith Award” Thursday October 31 at the Council’s awards breakfast.

She  received the recognition for founding the “Partners IN Service” (PINS) program, an initiative of the Urban Core Family Care Community Partnership (UCFCCP), which is led by Family Service of Rhode Island and funded by the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Under PINS, community partners, such as congregations and businesses, share skills and contribute household goods, clothing and other basics to families receiving wraparound social services from UCFCCP member agencies.  UCFCCP and PINS serve families in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Cranston.

“For families struggling to make financial and emotional ends meet, connection to a caring faith community or business can make all the difference,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO of Family Service of Rhode Island. “Congratulations to Barbara, and thank you for bringing PINS to Family Service of Rhode Island!  Your commitment and creativity are transforming lives.”

Nearly twenty congregations, including Christian churches, synagogues and a mosque, participate along with several businesses.  Ms. Martin brought the PINS idea with her from Vermont, where she lived and worked for many years.

For more information about PINS, please call 401-639-4706.