Youth Initiative Project Serves the Community Through Basic Needs Drive

’s (NWBRV) Youth Initiative Project (YIP) is hosting a Basic Needs Backpack Drive this year to benefit the homeless families of Woonsocket.   The community-based service-learning project was inspired by a Beacon Charter High School junior and YIP member, Nicholas Ramos, who has participated in similar projects in the past.

Kyle Girgan, an Americorps VISTA serving as the Education Programs Coordinator at NWBRV, helped springboard the project. “It is such a great opportunity for the youth to develop real-world skills and build leadership while serving our community,” he said. 

Rhode Island is experiencing the highest numbers of homelessness in its history, and in 2010, the number of homeless people increased by 20% and 39% of the population consisted of families, according to research completed by the Rhode Island Coaltion from the Homeless.  After a recent trip to the Emanuel House in Providence, YIP decided to take a proactive stand on the ever-increasing homelessness issue in Rhode Island.

“This project is important because not enough people try to help the homeless which is a growing problem in our state” said Kathryn Smith a freshman at Woonsocket High School after the visit.  

This is not the group’s first experience working with homeless populations.  Last year the group organized the Team Fairmount Winter Coat Drive to benefit the homeless people throughout Rhode Island via the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless.  Through their efforts, 250 winter clothing items were distributed to those in need.   

The youth, made up of mostly high school students, have moved forward with this year’s project despite a lack of project funding and are depending solely on donations to make the effort a success.  Their goal is to distribute 500 backpacks or bags filled with basic need items to shelters across the City.  

YIP encourages everyone to donate basic need items which include but are not limited to clothing items like socks, gloves, and underwear as well as full and travel size personal care items such as tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, baby powder, soap, tissues, combs, and brushes.  Donation bins are located at the Harris Library, , the Meadows in North Smithfield, WMS at Hamlet and Villa Nova, WHS, , NWBRV’s Community Building Office on 141 Olo St., and the NWBRV main office at 719 Front St. Suite 103. 

Bins will be collected by the end of January and distributed throughout the month of February. 

The above press release was written by Stephanie Boucher, Education Programs Manager NeighborWorks® Blackstone River Valley.