Community Advocacy Organizations

RIPIN helps Rhode Islanders of all ages and abilities access health care, health insurance coverage, education services and supports, care management, and more.

• Live answer call center Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. After hours calls returned within two business days
• Care coordination and service linkage for families with children with special health care needs
• Help health care and health insurance, including Healthsource RI, Medicaid, Medicare, and more, regardless of your coverage status
• Help accessing and navigating special education
• Help navigating transition to adult services for young adults with special needs
• Support groups for parents and caregivers

RIPIN uses a peer support model, meaning our team of Certified Community Health Workers are themselves parents or caregivers to a loved one with special needs. Our Peer Professionals’ lived experience helps them better understand you and your family’s needs.

Services Provided:
• Technical assistance and training in the areas of Early Intervention, infant mental health and trauma-based care practices, inclusive practices in schools, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports in schools, learners with low incidence disabilities (vision, hearing, deaf-blindness) dual sensory, transition from high school, and community-based employment strategies for youth and adults.
• Services include:
o Instruction and mobility services to children who are blind or visually impaired.
o Educational Advocates for students with disabilities who are in state care.
o Benefits counseling and assistance for Social Security beneficiaries.
o Family support and navigation of services.
o Support group for self-directed support users (DDD)
o Plan writing for self-directed support users (DDD).
o Support for parents with intellectual disabilities.
o Support to students in post-secondary education.

Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, founded at Rhode Island College in 1993, is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). UCEDDs are evidence driven and designed to advance policies, practices, and research that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. There are 67 UCEDD programs in the United States. This national network is administered through the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
The Sherlock Center partners with state and national agencies, schools, institutions of higher education and community providers to implement its core functions: preservice preparation, services (including technical assistance, community education, and direct services), research, and information dissemination. As of 2016, the Sherlock Center is a LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) Program.
Areas of Emphasis:
Early Childhood and Education
Inclusion and Community Membership
Low Incidence Disabilities
Self-Determination
Transition, Employment and Adult Life
Workforce and Professional Development

Weekly classes are provided in the area of chair yoga, tai chi, reiki, exercise to music, and strength strengthening. Many of these classes are offered virtually due to Covid Pandemic. https://www.msdreamcenter.org/programs

Painting and Art enrichment classes

Hairstylist comes to center once a month to provide haircuts for a nominal fee.

Support groups

The MS Dream Center goal is to bring awareness to the disease and reach out to those living with it, empowering them and offering important respite opportunities for care partners.

AS220 Youth is a free arts education program for young people ages 14-21, with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state. 

AS220 Youth Studio is closed at this time due to pandemic. Information 

AS220 Youth is a nationally recognized, award-winning after-school educational program and creative incubator for young people. Serving young people ages 14-21 with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state, the program strives to dismantle the pipeline to prison by empowering  at-risk, beyond-risk and incarcerated youth through arts, culture and collective action.

Youth Empowerment Programs link

Please contact for program updates due to Covid.

Project Respect: Exploring Leadership & Social Justice
and intentional community building. Designed as a residential
leadership institute for young people between the ages of 14 and
17 and scholarships are available. 

Youth Action Council: Engages camp alumni during the academic year and builds on what was learned during Project RESPECT with the focus of turning passion for social justice into action for positive social change. 

Summer Employment: Youth Facilitating for Change (YFC) is an intensive, six-week summer jobs program—funded through the City of Providence—in which professional RICJ facilitators train and certify youth as peer-to-peer social justice facilitators. 

Young Womxn's  Equity Coalition: A New Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training & Mentoring Program for BIPOC Young Womxn in Rhode Island. link 

Juvenile Justice link

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Trainings link

Rhode Island for Community & Justice (RICJ) is a social justice nonprofit dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism and promoting understanding among all races, religions, and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education. It is our purpose to transform communities to be more inclusive and just by empowering people to lead institutional change. We are the voice that calls people to common ground, with respect for differences but with the understanding that people of all backgrounds have common values and needs that unite them.

Website is in process of updating

Youth Pride has extensive programs and Services Information  

• Drop-in Center
• Support Groups- Gender Spectrum, The Way Out and Under 13
• Crisis Intervention and Case Management
• Individual Counseling
• Mentoring
• Basic Needs Pantry

Youth Pride Inc. (YPI) is an affirming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning young people to build community, develop connections and be themselves. Youth come together from a wide range of backgrounds and join with one another over common issues and activities, sometimes as simple as playing video games or sharing a meal. All of our programs are free of charge and include individual counseling, weekly discussion groups, leadership trainings, social events and wellness activities. In the end, youth experiences at YPI can be transformative.

Recognizing that LBGTQQ youth exist outside of YPI, we also provide professional development and training for youth service providers, social service organizations and schools so they have the information and resources to treat all youth with respect and dignity.

Programs

• Leadership Transformation Academy
• Student Advocacy 
• Civic Leadership

Young Voices is a Rhode Island-based non-profit organization that transforms urban youth into powerful advocates, who partner with our State’s major leaders to create systemic reform and policy change that improve the lives of thousands of youth across the state.

In School Youth Ages 14 – 21- Youth enrolled in a middle school or high school at the current time.

Drop out prevention tutoring Program

Summer jobs

Workforce readiness

Free job training

Skills Center Services: For Out of School Youth ages 16 – 24

Youth who have dropped out of high school or have a High School diploma and are looking for further education or Employment services. 

GED Classes

Free occupational/job skill trainings

Financial Literacy classes

• Work Readiness
• GED Classes
• Financial Literacy Program
• Earn to Learn
• Paid Work Experience Program
• Case Management

CCAP’s Employment, Training, and Education Programs assist the youth of Rhode Island ages 14 – 24 through free education, training programs, Work Readiness and Job Placement assistance. We provide a full range of services to youth enrolled in school and out of school. All enrollees are connected with a case manager to assist them in their education or employment goals throughout the program. Cash incentives and bus tickets are given to those who qualify.

Ages 14 to 24

Satellite Office:  One-Stop Career Center – Providence,  netWORKri, One Reservoir Ave., Providence, RI 02905 – 401.480.8984

Intake and Assessment
- Application for service
- Vocational interest inventory
- Academic assessment


Job Skills
- Resume writing
- Applications
- Mock Interviews

Academic Services
- Pre-GED
- Remediation
- GED

Contextual Learning
- How academic skills apply to the world of work

Follow-up Services
- Tracking for status once services are complete

Summer Jobs Program

Leadership Development
-How adults conduct themselves in their daily lives
-Independent Living Skills

Job Readiness and Work Experience

Woonsocket YouthWORKS411 is operated by the Employment & Training Division of Family Resources Community Action and funded through the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Partnership and the Department of Labor & Training.

Mailing Address: 

Woonsocket YouthWORKS411

C/O Family Resources Community Action

245 Main Street

Woonsocket, RI 02895

North Providence Location

• Health Center link
• Youth Prevention Services
• Adult and Youth Education, Employment & Training
• Youth Sports link
• Senior and Disabled Adult Case Management Program
• Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA)
• Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA) for D/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind
• WIC Program, opening Fall 2017

outh Prevention Services
Adult and Youth Education, Employment & Training [https://tricountyri.org/services/adult-and-youth-education-employment-training/]
Youth Sports [https://tricountyri.org/services/sports-recreation/]
Senior and Disabled Adult Case Management Program
Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA)
Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA) for D/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind
Health Center [https://tricountyri.org/services/health-centers-lab/]

We offer programs to assist with all aspects of life including health, behavioral health services, dental/oral health, adult and early childhood education, employment and training, housing, emergency services, nutrition, energy and conservation, youth opportunity and prevention programs, and senior services.
Several locations: 
Johnston main office, North Providence, North Kingstown, Charlestown, North Providence, Pascoag, Wakefield, Westerly.

Information on Services Link

• Support Services
• HIV/STI testing
• PrEP & PEP

Afia Center for Health & Wellness at 485 Plainfield St. in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Providence. Afia is a drop-in center that operates on Wednesdays and Thursdays 12-3 p.m. and offers hot meals; a food pantry that also includes access to personal care items; outings and group activities; and much more. New members must meet with APRI’s program coordinator to determine eligibility for services. There is no fee associated with the services offered through the Afia Center.

APRI is a Division of Family Service of Rhode Island
AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) was founded approximately 30 years ago as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, non-judgmental and collaborative response to the needs of people infected, affected and at-risk of HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, APRI accomplished this mission through leadership in prevention, education, supportive services and advocacy.

Programs

• Early Childhood and School age link
• Youth Program link
• Adult Education link
• Senior Program link
• Health and Wellness link
• Food Pantry link
• Social Services link
• Immigration link

Bridge to Career link

Citizenship Consortium
Education
Adult Education
Early Childhood
Health & Wellness
Housing Advocacy
Prevention
Immigration
Senior Programs
Youth Programs
Food Pantry

Victims of Crimes (VOCA)
VITA Site - Free Income Tax Services

Progreso Latino, Inc. is a multi-service, non-profit, community based organization located in Central Falls. Progreso Latino’s mission is to help Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities to achieve greater self-sufficiency and socio-economic progress by providing transformational programs that support personal growth and social change.

We provide programs and services for immigrants, refugees, and those who need it most in the community. Here is a brief overview of the services we provide:

• Education
• Citizenship & Immigration
• Refugee Resettlement
• Unaccompanied Minors
• Clothing Collaborative
• Employment
• Translation & Interpretation

We provide client-centered services, advocacy and opportunities based on our expertise in family literacy and adult education, employment services, refugee resettlement, translation, interpretation, U.S. citizenship and immigration services.
There is also a North Campus, address below

DIIRI
220 Elmwood Ave
Providence , RI 02907

Call 2-1-1
2-1-1 Rhode Island is a repository of information about services available in Rhode Island including child care, basic needs, care for elderly and help for a gambling addiction.

Outreach van 2-1-1 will connect you and your community with the help and human services you need.

Individuals can ask for help by phone, searching the website or chatting.

Get help with 2-1-1, your free and confidential resource for assistance with housing, food, childcare—and needs well beyond. Call or chat now to get connected right away. Our specialists are available for you 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

Because 90,000 households in Rhode Island are struggling to meet basic needs, we help families with the essentials.

We believe not only in helping people through an immediate crisis, but also in funding programs that help people develop the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families. And we provide one place for everyone to call when they need help.

• Lunch and Learn seminars
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Young Adult Transition Program
• Independent Living Skill Training and Assessment
• Home Accessibility and Adaptability
• Assistive Technology 

Ocean State Center for Independent Living , OSCIL, provides information on community resources and services to persons with disabilities and their families, service providers, and the general public, as well as receiving referrals for our agency for direct services. Information is provided by phone, email, mail, and one-on-one to walk-ins to our Center.

To keep our staff and consumers safe, OSCIL offices will remain closed to the public, with staff working staggered schedules and remotely, until further notice.

You may call our offices and speak to or leave a message for our staff members. 

If you would like to speak to our Information and Referral Specialist, call 401-738-1013 ext 13. You may also email her at info@oscil.org.

Additional location in Pawtucket

• Lunch and Learn seminars
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Young Adult Transition Program
• Independent Living Skill Training and Assessment
• Home Accessibility and Adaptability
• Assistive Technology 

Ocean State Center for Independent Living , OSCIL, provides information on community resources and services to persons with disabilities and their families, service providers, and the general public, as well as receiving referrals for our agency for direct services. Information is provided by phone, email, mail, and one-on-one to walk-ins to our Center.

To keep our staff and consumers safe, OSCIL offices will remain closed to the public, with staff working staggered schedules and remotely, until further notice.

You may call our offices and speak to or leave a message for our staff members. 

If you would like to speak to our Information and Referral Specialist, call 401-738-1013 ext 13. You may also email her at info@oscil.org.

Additional location in Warwick

24 hour statewide hotline:
1(800) 494-8100

Serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

Court Advocacy
Counseling and Support Services
Residential
Law enforcement advocacy

Our mission is to end the perpetration and societal tolerance of interpersonal violence, including all forms of domestic and sexual abuse, and until that is achieved, to provide comprehensive services to victims and education in the community.
A member agency of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Due to Covid concerns, Drop In Center is closed to the public.

• Housing Office call 401-808-6889
• Support Groups meeting virtually
• Non emergency confidential text line for resources 401-214-7882

Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence agency. Every day, we serve victims of relationship violence by providing shelter, advocacy, referrals, and other resources.

The mission of Sojourner House is to promote healthy relationships by providing culturally sensitive support, advocacy, housing, and education for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; and to effect systems change.

Programs and Services Link

Basic Needs

• Food Pantry
• Senior Meal Delivery
• Good Neighbor Energy Fund
• Project Undercover
• Rental/ Mortgage Assistance
• Appliance Management Program
• Rhode Island Home Energy Assistance Program (RIHEAP)

Training and Workforce Development

• RI Works
• Parent Leadership Training Initiative (PLTI)
• Summer Youth Employment Program

CAPP is a leading provider of social services in Providence. The organization operates, promotes and supports the development of human service programs aimed at improving the lives of low-to-moderate income individuals and families living in Providence. CAPP works to minimize poverty while empowering members of the community to be self-sufficient.

Children and Family Services link

• Home Based Therapy Services
• Personal Assistance and Support Services
• Enhanced Outpatient Services
• Social Skill Groups
• Art therapy

Adult Supportive Living Program link

• Community and Home Supports for Adults with Disabilities and who meet eligible requirements for services. 
• Adaptive Arts program link

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Rhode Island is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

As the local affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), our organization educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities throughout of all of Rhode Island.

For more information about the Child and Family Services Program, please call or e-mail Clinical Director Kristeen Rocha at (401) 728-1800 x104

Women, Infants and Children Program WIC link 

The Tri-County Community Action Agency Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)  provides supplemental foods, healthcare referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

• WIC link
• Senior and Disabled Adult Case Management Program (Personal Choice Waiver)link

We offer programs to assist with all aspects of life including health, behavioral health services, dental/oral health, adult and early childhood education, employment and training, housing, emergency services, nutrition, energy and conservation, youth opportunity and prevention programs, and senior services.
Several locations: 
Johnston main office, North Providence, North Kingstown, Charlestown, North Providence, Pascoag, Wakefield, Westerly.

The Leadership Series is a free course that we created with support from the RI Department of BHDDH as part of our mission to empower people who have a developmental disability to advocate for themselves and others.

• Self-Advocacy Skills and Leadership Development
• Events 

Contact Information

Advocates in Action Rhode Island is an independent non-profit Statewide Self-Advocacy organization. Our mission is to empower people who have a developmental disability to advocate for themselves and others, to support and strengthen the Self‐Advocacy movement and to raise awareness about disability issues in the community. We strive to help people become educated about their options, aware of available resources, able to make informed decisions, in control of their own lives, and involved within the community.

Information about Fabry disease, research and clinical trials information, funding programs, and more. Programs, include:

• Annual conference
• Family camp
• Personal support
• Research and educational information

ASHA's work is focused around three important objectives:
Educate: Be the source of scientifically-based and accessible information
Build Alliances: Collaborate with other organizations to expand the understanding and acceptance of the sexual health model
Advocate: Advance supportive changes in sexual health policy

The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights group in the U.S. Its principal objective is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality among minority citizens.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the nation's leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America's low-income families and children. NCCP has a list online of publications on the following topics:

• Child Poverty
• Children’s Mental Health
• Early Care and Learning
• Healthy Development
• Immigrant Families
• Infants and Toddlers
• Integrated Systems
• Low-Wage Work
• Social Security
• Welfare
• Work Supports

The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world's largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries.

Services:

• Online educational events for parents and caretakers
• Continuing medical education credit for physicians, teachers, dietitians, and occupational therapists
• ATEC treatment assessment tool for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Resource Line
• Research updates and newsletters

The mission of United Way is to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.

United Ways across the country activate community resources to make the greatest possible human impact. The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.

As community leaders, United Ways address the most critical local issues and mobilize resources beyond the dollars that are pledged through their fund-raising efforts. Community partners often include schools, government policy makers, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, voluntary and neighborhood associations, community development corporations and the faith community.

United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, and providing support and information to loved ones, care providers and professionals. Offers options to request assistance, connect with a mentor, connect with a chapter, advocacy, and product and service information.

Spinal Cord Resource Center: Submit questions on any aspect of Spinal Cord Injury/Disease or get information and resources that may help you resolve a situation including local support.

Disability Products & Services Guide: Search the United Spinal Association Disability Products & Services Directory to discover providers and organizations that specialize in optimizing the health, independence and quality of life of people with a spinal cord injury or disease.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Information and Referral
• Legislative Advocacy
• Self Advocacy Support