Dozens Of Newport County Nonprofits Get Rhode Island Foundation Grants

NEWPORT, RI — Dozens of nonprofits in Newport County will share more than $350,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation

A foundation spokesperson said the funding will support efforts ranging from summer youth programs, local food pantries, behavioral health care and housing assistance. Grants were for up to 10,000.

"At a time when the impact of COVID-19 continues to ripple through the lives and work of many, we’re fortunate to have the resources to support organizations that are on the front lines of recovery in Newport County," said Neil Steinberg, the foundation’s president and CEO. "We are grateful for the donors who make it possible for us to support organizations that are well-positioned to respond every day to community needs."

Emmanuel Church in Newport received $7,080 to revive its monthly community meal program for needy residents. The grant will fund stipends for former food service workers as well as cover the cost of food.

“COVID kept us from holding our traditional first Tuesday of the month community meal for two years, and also really hurt many in the restaurant industry. We want to engage former restaurant workers, giving them a chance to refresh their skills as restaurant work starts back up, sharing with us as hosts to build dignity and pride,” said The Rev. Della Wager Wells, Rector of Emmanuel Church.

Newport Mental Health in Middletown received $10,000 to transport clients to behavioral health and medical appointments. The organization expects the funding will cover the cost of hundreds of rides for clients.

"Frequently public transportation is not a viable option due to service routes not including our clinical locations. Providing transportation increases access to medical and mental health care, which reduces the need for costly hospitalization thereby providing better outcomes for our clients," said Jamie Lehane, president and CEO.

Newport Partnership for Families received $7,000 to support its Reading Reaps Rewards' Summer Learning Initiative. The program serves 235 Pell elementary students across four city sites: Newport Family & Child Opportunity Zone's Summer Learning Academy at Thompson Middle School, the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and the Newport County YMCA.

“We focus on Newport children who are at the greatest risk of falling behind in literacy based on STAR testing and classroom performance. The primary objective is to reduce reading regression, or 'summer slide,' by assisting entering Grade 1 through 4 students in either maintaining or improving their literacy skills,” said Kathleen Burke, executive director.

Child and Family in Middletown received $10,000 to supplement its supportive housing program. The initiative is expected to provide safe, secure housing to as many as 12 homeless Newport families with children.

“We are uniquely positioned to provide families with the support they need to either avoid contact with the child welfare system, or successfully reunify parents with children who have been placed in foster care due to lack of stable housing,” said Marty Sinnott, president and CEO.

The Herren Project in Portsmouth received $7,500 to partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County on a pilot program designed to meet the critical need for prevention, mental health and intervention strategies for children and adolescents and their families.

“COVID-19 has exacerbated behavioral health and substance use disorder issues. People of all ages in need of mental health and substance use care are unable to access services in a timely manner due to provider shortages, and it is only expected to continue, especially in underserved communities. We’ll build protective factors, connect vulnerable populations to community services and support community resilience in the face of the challenges Rhode Islanders face today,” said Bonnie Sawyer, executive director.

The Little Compton Community Center received $10,000 to support its Senior Lunch Program. The center prepares meals for pick up, for home delivery and to be served in its dining room.

"While this long-standing program has always seen consistent enrollment, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic it has grown exponentially. Now, we typically serve between 35-50 meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for a weekly average of around 130 meals. This has risen from a weekly average of around 60 meals per week in 2019," said Samantha Snow, communications director.

The Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, Lucy's Hearth in Middletown, the Little Compton Historical Society and the Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice in Middletown are among other organizations that received grants.

Here's a list of every grant recipient this round.

1. Aquidneck Community Table

2. Best Buddies of Massachusetts & Rhode Island

3. Bike Newport

4. The Boys & Girls Club of Newport

5. Child and Family

6. Clean Ocean Access

7. The Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation

8. Conexion Latina Newport

9. Day One

10. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

11. East Bay Community Action Program

12. ecoRI News

13. Emmanuel Church

14. FabNewport

15. Gnome Surf

16. Herren Project

17. Island Moving Company

18. James L. Maher Center

19. Jamestown Arts Center

20. Jamestown Community Chorus

21. Jamestown Community Food Pantry

22. Jamestown Community Piano Association

23. Katie Brown Educational Program

24. Little Compton Community Center

25. Little Compton Historical Society

26. Live & Learn

27. Lucy's Hearth

28. Meals on Wheels

29. MENTOR Rhode Island

30. Newport Classical

31. Newport Community School

32. Newport FILM

33. Newport Gulls

34. Newport Mental Health

35. Newport Partnership for Families

36. Newport String Project

37. Newport Tree Conservancy

38. Norman Bird Sanctuary

39. Sail Newport

40. Salvation Army - Newport Corps

41. Save The Bay

42. Shri Service Corps

43. St. Joseph Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society

44. Star Kids Scholarship Program

45. Turning Around Ministries

46. Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice

47. Washington Square Services Corp.

48. Women’s Resource Center.