Happy New Year!!

Have you made your end-of-year donation?  Click here for more info.  Thank you!!

Brighter Futures Honoree 2016: Coach Ed Cooley

Coach Building Brighter Futures for Others

to be

Honored by Family Service of Rhode Island

Providence College Basketball Coach Ed Cooley 12th Recipient of "Brighter Futures Award"

Family Service of Rhode Island, a statewide non-profit serving abused children and many other Rhode Islanders in need, is honoring Providence College men's basketball coach Ed Cooley at its 12th annual Brighter Futures luncheon on Wednesday, October 26, at the Rhode Island Convention Center beginning at noon.

"He was raised in the low-income neighborhood where we have our home office, South Providence," said Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff.  "He attended Sackett Street Elementary, Roger Williams Middle, right down the street from us on Thurbers Avenue, and Central High. We actively work with children in all three schools. From these roots he built a career committed to hard work and caring--for his players and the community.  He's a role model not only for those facing adversity, but for us all, no matter our life story."

Coach Cooley is the first coach or athlete to receive the prestigious Brighter Futures recognition.  Past recipients include state Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, who is co-chairing this year's luncheon; Geoffrey Canada, former president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone; the Boston Red Sox, the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Red Sox Foundation; and U.S. Senator Jack Reed.

Providence College President Brian J. Shanley, O.P., called the choice of Ed Cooley for the award "perfect!"

"Ed Cooley worked hard for his own brighter future despite many obstacles.  Now, he's helping others build theirs at Providence College and beyond," said Father Shanley, who is also co-chairing the luncheon.

One way he is doing that is through his "Father/Son Camp" which teaches basketball fundamentals and how to use the game to strengthen the father and son relationship. Another way is raising funds for good causes in Rhode Island, and his and his wife's personal philanthropy.

Ed Cooley excelled as a player at Central High School, and later at Stonehill College. After graduating he became a high school history teacher in Massachusetts. From there he worked his way up from an assistant basketball coach at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to head coach at Providence College in 2011, with stops along the way at Stonehill, the University of Rhode Island, Boston College, and Fairfield University.

He was named Rhode Island High School Player of the Year twice and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the 2010-2011 season.  Coach Cooley's Friars made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015, and in 2014 won the Big East Tournament title.

Event sponsorships (from $1,750 to $25,000) and tickets ($175 each) are available at (401) 519-2278 or events@familyserviceri.org, and by visiting  www.familyserviceri.org. Major sponsors include Malcolm G. Chace, Jr.; IGT; Capitol Securities; Citizens Bank; Hinckley Allen; Deepwater Wind; Dimeo Construction Company; Amica; the Cooley/Group (no relation);  and Peregrine Group.

Tips for Talking with Children Re: 9/11

It has been 15 years since the attacks of 9/11, and many of today's children were not yet born.

How does one speak with a child about what happened?

The National 9/11 Memorial offers some tips.  See them by clicking here.

Providence College's Ed Cooley is Our Honoree!

Save the Date!

The 12th annual Brighter Futures Award Luncheon is Wednesday, October 26, 2016, noon at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Our honoree: Providence College Basketball Coach Ed Cooley!!!

More details soon!

Happy 4th of July!!

National HIV Testing Day is Monday, June 27

National HIV Testing Day is Monday, June 27, and AIDS Project Rhode Island will be providing free, fast, and anonymous HIV and Hepatitis C testing from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

The location is 9 Pleasant Street,Providence, RI, 02906. 

Testing is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

No appointment is necessary; just walk in! 

For more information, call 401-831-5522, email takecharge@aidsprojectri.org or visit www.aidsprojectri.org. 

And visit www.aidsprojectri.org to learn about other free, fast and anonymous HIV and Hepatitis C testing times every week throughout the year.

We Stand With Orlando!

We Remember

Foster Care Month: "Knowing in our hearts..."

May is National Foster Care Month, and Family Service of Rhode Island is utilizing the opportunity to raise awareness that LGBTQQI foster parents are needed to provide loving homes for children in need.

“We hope more LGBTQQI Rhode Islanders will step forward to open their hearts and homes,” said Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff.  “We’ve developed a recruitment campaign called #WeTakePrideinAllFamilies and are thankful Marc Fernandes and Michael Leighton, two former foster parents and now adoptive parents, have helped with this effort, proudly marching with our 'WeTakePrideinAllFamilies' banner in last year’s Rhode Island Pride parade.”

Foster parents are needed for Rhode Island children of all ages, from infants to teenagers.  "There's particularly a need for homes for older children," said Christine Forsyth, who is a foster mom of two teenagers and clinical director of Family Service of Rhode Island's foster care program. "Singles, partnered, married, already parenting--all are welcome!  Please contact us! We take pride in all families!"

Potential foster parents go through screening and training before receiving a state license.  "We work with you to ensure it's a good match for you and the involved child or children," she said.  Anyone interested should call the agency's foster care program at 401-331-1350 ext. 3305, email here, or click here for the foster care web page.

Marc Fernandes and Michael Leighton (left to right in the photo above) thought a long time about becoming parents. "A few years after we bought our home we started to discuss the idea of adopting a child.  We decided we should start by becoming foster parents to see if we had what it takes to be parents."

The two men, who were recently married, started fostering a sister and brother, Zendaiya (left in photo) and Jaydais, when the two were nine months old and almost two, respectively. "I will never forget the day they arrived and the way we felt when we first held them," said Marc.  Suddenly having two little children at once was a huge adjustment, he said, but, "we had plenty of support from Family Service of Rhode Island.   We really can't say enough about the support they provided us."

Today Zendaiya is weeks from turning three and Jaydais will soon be celebrating his fourth birthday.  Earlier this year, this foster family officially became an adoptive family.

Marc and Michael feel they haven’t had any issues or challenges with being gay foster and now adoptive parents. “We have been very open with our places of employment, neighbors, friends, family and community,” said Michael.  “I feel strongly about being ‘all or nothing’ and standing proud being who we are and knowing in our hearts we are doing a good thing. I think people who have seen us out and about have been very happy for us knowing we are giving these two beautiful children a loving, happy home.”

See Diana Ross, Fight HIV/AIDS!

Superstar Diana Ross is coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) and AIDS Project Rhode Island and Richie D, Mr. Gay Rhode Island 2015, have created a fundraising event called “Divas, Drinks & Dessert" to celebrate and raise money for a great cause!

The event, on Thursday, April 14, includes a cocktail reception at the “Rooftop at the Providence G” prior to the Diana Ross concert, a ticket to Diana Ross’ “In The Name of Love” show at PPAC, and, following the concert, back at the Rooftop at the Providence G, “Dessert with ‘Diana’ and Friends.” Ticket and sponsorship information are available by clicking here.

In addition to hit records as a member of The Supremes, Diana Ross’ hits include “I’m Coming Out,” “Love Hangover,” “Touch Me in the Morning,” and “Theme from Mahogany.”

“We are excited to have this opportunity to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in conjunction with local arts events, especially with a concert starring an icon like Diana Ross,” said AIDS Project Rhode Island executive director Stephen Hourahan.  “The recent study from the Centers for Disease Control underscores the importance of heightening the fight against HIV/AIDS, and to do that fundraising is critical.”

A first-of-its-kind Centers for Disease Control study released in February found that African American men who have sex with other men have a one in two (50%) chance of being diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime; Hispanic men who have sex with other men have a one in four chance (25%).  “These and other numbers are shocking and a call to action,” he said.

He also pointed out that a local study, conducted by authors at Brown University, The Miriam Hospital and the Rhode Island Department of Health, found a strong link between “hook up” sites on-line and new HIV diagnoses. “Prevention outreach needs to be heightened.  We’re hoping that the owner of these sites will step forward to work with us to prevent the spread of HIV.”

Portions of the proceeds of this event will benefit AIDS Project Rhode Island’s initiative to support prevention.  This includes getting people who are HIV+ into treatment and care, promoting regular testing, and advocacy of prevention methods like condoms and “PrEP.”  PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a pill that when taken daily protects the body from contracting the HIV virus. 

Richie D said he was pleased to help raise money for AIDS Project Rhode Island.  “It’s going to be a wonderful evening for a wonderful cause,” he said. “The evening will be full of entertainment. We have a very talented cast of performers for our 'Dessert with ‘Diana’ and Friends' who graciously have donated their time," he added.  

“The evening will include performances in the likes of many of your favorite divas, like Lady Gaga, Bette Midler, and Liza Minnelli.  In addition there will a tribute to Diana Ross performed by the multi-talented Jackie Collins.  We also are so appreciative of the generous sponsor contribution from the Rooftop at the Providence G which allows this event to be possible.”

For more information about the event and to learn about free, rapid and anonymous HIV and Hepatitis C testing, visit www.aidsprojectri.org.

AIDS Project Rhode Island is a division of Family Service of Rhode Island.

Special HIV Testing Day Sunday, February 7

AIDS Project Rhode Island is joining with National Black Leadership on AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control, the Black AIDS Institute and other organizations in participating in National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

The national theme is “I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Fight HIV/AIDS.” A supporting theme is “Get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States, African Americans have the most severe burden of HIV. The Rhode Island Department of Health reports that Blacks/African Americans and Hispanics in Rhode Island experience a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In observance of the day, AIDS Project Rhode Island is offering special hours for free, anonymous, rapid HIV testing at its 9 Pleasant Street, Providence, 02906 location on Sunday, February 7 from noon until 3 p.m. on a walk-in basis. No blood is drawn, and results are available in 20 minutes. 

Anyone wishing to be tested is welcome.  Testing will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

HIV stands for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.” HIV can lead to AIDS, “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,” which greatly weakens the immune system increasing the opportunity for serious infections and cancers. Treatments for AIDS, and to prevent HIV from turning into AIDS, have greatly improved over the years so infected persons can often have normal lifespans with proper care.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone between 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once.  “HIV testing should take place more often if you are engaging in risky behavior, such as sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex,” said Stephen Hourahan, AIDS Project Rhode Island’s executive director.  The organization offers an “HIV Risk Quiz," which is available by clicking here.

In addition to testing, information will be available about treatment to reduce the risk of HIV infection, Pre ExposureProphylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP is an HIV prevention approach where HIV-negative individuals use anti-HIV medications to reduce their risk of becoming infected if they are exposed to the virus.  PEP is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take HIV medications after coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

AIDS Project Rhode Island regularly offers free, anonymous, rapid HIV, and Hepatitis C, walk-in testing Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  Appointments are also available and can be made by calling 401-831-5522 ext. 3824 or emailing takecharge@aidsprojectri.org.

AIDS Project Rhode Island provides free, anonymous, rapid testing at neighborhood locations in  the United Way 2-1-1 Outreach RV. To view a calendar with dates, times and locations, click here.

AIDS Project Rhode Island is a division of Family Service of Rhode Island.

Remembering, Celebrating MLK

We are celebrating the life and legacy of MLK!  Check out the brief video above!

Family Service of RI believes in ending the cycle of poverty and the lack of opportunity that prevent individuals and communities from reaching their full potential. Nearly 50 years ago, MLK, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his life fighting for these goals.

Every day, Family Service of RI celebrates the legacy of MLK and the Civil Rights Movement by striving for a just society in which every individual has a chance to succeed.