•Have you thought about becoming a foster parent? Learn more!  Email wrightgr@familyserviceri.org or

call Greg Wright at 401-331-1350 ext. 3305.

•Would you like to learn more about volunteering at Family Service of Rhode Island?  We have a range of opportunities available.  For more information please email hernandezgi@familyserviceri.org.

• Mardi Gras Gay Bingo is Thursday, February 18.  For more info, please click here.

Calls to 2-1-1 Jump Nearly 20%

United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) has announced that calls to United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island, an around-the-clock health and human services helpline staffed by Family Service of RI information-referral professionals, totaled 122,218 in 2009. This is an increase of 20,113 from 2008, or almost 20%.

2-1-1 continues to be one of the strongest barometers of need in Rhode Island. The majority of the 2009 calls were requests for information on financial assistance to help pay rent or utilities (53,887), food assistance and information (34,429), housing (21,444), which includes foreclosure prevention advice, and homeless shelters (13,131).

“These numbers are significant and reveal the most need right now in our community -- financial assistance to pay every day bills; the housing crisis; food; and finding shelter,” said Anthony Maione, CEO and president of United Way of RI.

This year, the most number of individuals dialing 2-1-1 were in Providence (55,012). Calls originating from other communities were: Pawtucket (9,464)), Warwick (7,215), West Warwick (3,046) Cranston (6,753), Woonsocket (3,702), Newport (3,667, Central Falls (4,781), and East Providence (2,990). 

more

Family Service of RI and Butler Hospital

Sponsor

Trauma Conference

A professional lecture on Alternatives for Families--Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) will take place on Friday, February 26.  This is tied in to Family Service of RI's work helping children and families traumatized by violence.

For more information, please click here.

Without Family Service,

I Would Have Been

Real Big Damage..

Family Service of RI's partnership with the Providence Police was covered by RI Monthly magazine this month.  Read how Family Service of RI staff member Carla Cuellar changed the life of a sixteen year old rape victim.

To view the article, please click here.

Find Us On Facebook

At this writing we have nearly 470 "fans" of our Facebook page.  Fans can follow what's happening at Family Service of RI as well as in the world of human services through frequent announcements, posting of research, and more.  We hope this is a helpful resource for students, policymakers, and everybody with an interest in issues affecting Rhode Island's needy children, youth, adults and families.  

Please look to the left side of this homepage for a link to our Facebook site.  Hope you'll join us!!

Listen to 2-1-1 Radio Ad

Click on logo for United Way 2-1-1

and information about services available

across Rhode Island