Health & Fitness
United Way Invests $3 Million to Help Rhode Islanders
United Way of Rhode Island is investing $3 million across Rhode Island to help people in need.
After issuing Requests for Proposal (RFP) for the funding period of July 2013-June 2016 that generated over 140 submissions, United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) is preparing to invest nearly $3 million in grants to organizations across the state to help our neighbors in need. Those receiving funds will focus on direct program services to facilitate long-term change through Education, Income, and Housing and Homelessness programs.
The proposals were reviewed by 120 volunteers and then funding decisions were determined by the organization’s Community Investment Advisory Committee (CIAC). Each were scored on a wide-variety of criteria that included: fiscal accountability, agency operational standards, alignment with UWRI’s strategic goals, population and geography served, organizational stability and performance history, innovation, projected return on investment, and a balanced portfolio of programs.
“We are really excited about these investments,” said Anthony Maione, president & CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “Thanks to the generous support of our donors and the hard work of our volunteers, we are partnering with organizations across our state in order to positively impact as many people as possible.”
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For the period of July 2013-June 2016, 28 organizations representing 36 Rhode Island cities and towns will receive funding to support programs in UWRI’s focus areas of Education, Income, and Housing and Homelessness. Funding decisions were based on UWRI’s firsthand knowledge that when people have a safe, affordable place to live, a good education, and a higher-paying job, they can provide for themselves and their families.
In the focus area of Education, grants were awarded to support both early childhood education and out-of-school-time programs. For young children, ages birth to five, improving access to high-quality early childhood education is critical to their development and preparation for success in the classroom. For children already enrolled in school, spending their out-of-school-time engaged in hands-on, experiential programming minimizes learning loss.
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Education grants have been awarded to:
Organization
Programming Focus
Capital City Community Centers
Early Childhood Education
Connecting for Children and Families, Inc.
Early Childhood Education & Out-of-School-Time
East Bay Community Action Program
Out-of-School-Time
Federal Hill House Association
Early Childhood Education
New Urban Arts
Out-of-School-Time
Progresso Latino, Inc.
Early Childhood Education
RiverzEdge Arts
Out-of-School-Time
The College Crusade of Rhode Island
Out-of-School-Time
The Highlander Institute
Out-of-School-Time
Westbay Community Action, Inc.
Early Childhood Education
Within the focus area of Income, grants were awarded in support of basic needs and financial stability to improve and expand safety net services for food, clothing, shelter, and heat while strengthening organizations’ case management capabilities and wrap-around services to help people move from crisis to security. Funds will also be used for work supports, removal of barriers to employment, and training programs to help individuals access and succeed in career opportunities in growth industries.
Income grants have been awarded to:
Organization
Programming Focus
Building Futures/Providence Plan
Financial Stability
Children’s Friend and Service
Basic Needs
Connecting for Children and Families, Inc.
Financial Stability
Crossroads Rhode Island
Work Supports
Dorcas International Institute of RI
Basic Needs & Work Supports
Family Resources Community Action
Basic Needs & Financial Stability
Foster Forward
Financial Stability
Progreso Latino
Financial Stability & Work Supports
Providence Housing Authority
Financial Stability & Work Supports
Providence Public Library
Work Supports
Rhode Island Free Clinic
Basic Needs
The Salvation Army
Basic Needs
Tri-Town Community Action Agency
Financial Stability
Westbay Community Action, Inc.
Basic Needs
West Elmwood Housing Development, Co.
Financial Stability
Wood River Health Services
Basic Needs
In the focus area of Housing and Homelessness, funds have been awarded to organizations to connect individuals and families who are homeless with individualized programs and services designed to help them become permanently housed.
Housing and Homelessness grants have been awarded to:
Organization
Programming Focus
Amos House
Housing & Homelessness
Crossroads Rhode Island
Housing & Homelessness
House of Hope CDC
Housing & Homelessness
Providence In-town Churches Association
Housing & Homelessness
Riverwood Mental Health Services
Housing & Homelessness
WARM Center
Housing & Homelessness
“Each of the organizations who will receive funding has not only demonstrated strong results, but also innovative programs and a willingness to coordinate services among community partners to generate the best outcomes possible,” added Maione. “Our volunteer review committee had many difficult decisions to make based on the number of truly outstanding proposals we received; there is incredible work being done across the state, as we all work towards a community with fewer people in need.”
About United Way of Rhode Island
United Way of Rhode Island has been working to improve the quality of life in Rhode Island communities for over 80 years. UWRI’s mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community to improve the lives of people in need and address the issues Rhode Islanders care most about. For more information, visit www.LIVEUNITEDri.org.
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