Homeless Tent Camp Under Route 10 Draws Concerns
Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor
Homeless Tent Camp Under Route 10 Draws Concerns
Roughly six to eight tents were clearly visible on Monday afternoon at the busy offramp that leads to the intersection of Cranston Street and Niantic Avenue, at the Providence-Cranston line.
“We have an outreach meeting this evening, I know they’ll be addressing this,” said Karen Jeffreys with the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. “With the winter coming, we want to make sure there’s enough shelter space, we want to get [a] head count.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSuperintendent of the State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell said that while he hadn’t seen the encampment personally, that the police would be monitoring the situation.
“Given its proximity to the highway, safety’s always our number one priority,” said O’Donnell.
The former tent city under the overpass at the old 195 in Providence had garnered local and national attention in 2009, when the New York Times featured the community that grew to close to 80, before being dismantled when the former highway was torn down.
On Monday, one of the residents in the tents spoke with GoLocal on the condition of anonymity, about being in and out of drug addiction recovery on the streets - and currently living under a highway overpass.
One Resident’s Story
On Monday afternoon, one of the inhabitants of the camp had gone off to the sidewalk and close to the road, and Greg warned about getting closer.
“Please don’t go over there right now, she’s in a really tough place,” said Greg.
“There’s about ten of us right now. It changes,” said Greg. "I was at the [Providence Rescue] mission for a while, it was bad. They kick you out in the morning, so you have all day to try and fix your life, but it’s hard. It’s not easy."
Greg spoke about what his plans were moving forward.
"I want to try and get back into detox, and a sober house, and start all over again," said Greg. "I’ve been through this before. Some people here are OK, some aren’t. Some people just have their skeletons."
Alluding briefly to what had brought him to the camp at Cranston Street, Greg said it was a number of factors that had brought any of them there.
"A lot of people were doing OK, then they get to the point where they can’t take it anymore, so they use," said Greg. "As an addict, it’s where your mind goes."
A representative at CODAC located on Park Avenue in Cranston said that if any individuals wanted to seek treatment, to come to their facility.
"If anyone has issues there, they should go to CODAC. We have clinicians and doctors. We encourage them to seek help," said Ileana Santiago.
*Editor's note: The name of the source at the camp has been changed, based on his concerns for safety and request for anonymity.
50 Ways to Give in Rhode Island This Holiday Season
St. Mary¹s Home for Children is the State¹s most comprehensive residential treatment facility for boys and girls who have been traumatized by abuse and those experiencing psychiatric and/or emotional impacts.
During the holiday season, St. Mary¹s looks to their friends in the community to help make the season a bright one for the children. For giving suggestions, please visit our website at www.smhfc.org. or contact Susan DeRita at 353-3900 x262 or by e-mail, [email protected] for additional information or giving options.
153 Summer Street, Providence
The Children's Friend annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive is under way looking to match generous individuals and organizations with families in need across the state.
The goal for 2015 Children's Friend Giving Holiday Drive is to sponsor 1,450 families and 4,500 children during the month of December.
New coats, clothing, toys, books and bikes will be collected at Children's Friend.
1392 Westminister Street
The Mission of Community MusicWorks is to create a cohesive urban community through music education and performance. The model is built arond teaching, mentoring, program design and performance activities.
WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care
308 Callahan Road, North Kingstown
36 Bridge Way, Pascoag
142A Danielson PIke, Foster
WellOne's mission is to provide primary medical and dental care and behavioral health services to the residents of the Rhode Island communities. WellOne puts an emphasis is to promote the highest quality of health for the individual and family as well as for the community.
372 West Fountain Street, Providence
The Providence Revolving Fund is a community based non profit that was established in 1980. The mission of the fund is to preserve Providence's architectural heritage and stimulate revitalization in the community.
743 Westminister Street, Providence
The mission of Youth Prie Inc. is to meet the unique and ongoing needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression through advocacy, support and empowerment to bring about social change.
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England
500 Greenwich Ave, Warwick
The mission of Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England is to help girls build courage, confidence and character as they go on to make the world a better place
100 Medway Street, Providence
The mission at Day One is to reduce the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence as well as to support and advocate for those affected by it. Day One provides treatment, intervention, education, advocacy, and prevention services to Rhode Islanders of all ages
270 Westminister Street, Providence
FirstWorks helps connect art and music with the audiences helping to provide art shows, concerts and festivals to Rhode Island.
18 Parkis Avenue, Providence
The mission of AIDS Care Ocean State is to provide housing, case management, medical and nursing care, and prevention to adults, families, adolescents and children who are affected by or at risk for HIV infection.
415 Friendship St., Providence, RI
Amos House accepts monetary donations to support the training, housing, and recovery programs they provide for the hungry, homeless and unemployed in Rhode Island.
The organization also accepts donations in-kind such as gently used strollers, pillowcases, laundry detergent, baby formula, and first aid kits for the families who participate in their programs.
Photo: Amos House
Big Brothers Big Sisters Give-a-Thon at Barnes & Noble
1350 Bald Hill Road, Warwick
Politicians from all over the state have been invited to make proclamations at BBBSOS’ Give-a-Thon at Barnes and Noble on December 1st at 1:00PM. BBBSOS will be engaging the state to take part in #GivingTuesday via social media and a press conference
The goal for the day to raise $12,000 for BBBSOS’ mission; to provide mentors to the youth of Rhode Island who will motivate and empower them to make positive decisions, improve academic results, avoid risky behaviors and grow in a way that will positively impact the community.
Barnes and Noble Warwick will donate up to 20% of all sales including books, toys, holiday items and even café items will go back to BBBSOS. (Shoppers must use code 11671864 at checkout or mention BBBSOS.)
438 East Main Road, Middletown, RI
Looking Upwards services adults, families and children dealing with developmental disabilities and has been doing so for over 35 years. The organization also services schools.
18 Valley Street, Jamestown
The Mission of the Jamestown Arts Center is to engage and enrich as well as inspire the community through arts and educational experiences.
56 Pine Street, 3rd Floor, Providence
The Capital Good Fund is looking to be the best financial empowerment organization in the country. The Capital Good Fund take a holistic approach to fighting poverty.
Photo is of Any Posner, founder and chief executive officer.
The Little Flower Home is a non profit organization that looks to help pregnant homelss woman. The home provides comfortable rooms for women at no cost.
The Newport Festivals Foundation was created in 2010 by George Wein and is in charge of festivals such as the Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival.
The Newport Festivals Foundation does not keep regular office hours.
National Federation of the Blind
P.O. Box 14404 East Providence
The National Federation of the Blind of RI is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the largest consumer advocacy organization in the world.
The Rhode Island affiliate has 2 chapters. The Greater Providence Chapter meets the third Saturday of the month in East Providence. The Mounth Hope Chapter meets the third Thursday of the month in Bristol.
P.O. Box 6214, Middletown
The Star Kids Scholarship Program's philosophy is empowerment.The Program Empowers low-income children, who have a parent with a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse, to break the cycle of poverty, drug abuse, and incarceration through education. Our goal for each child is to graduate high school.
High school graduation will lead each child to a path of higher education and opportunities for a better life.
Located behind St. Lucy's Church
Lucy’s Hearth is a 24 hour emergency and transitional shelter for mothers and their children who are homeless due to economic hardship, family crisis, divorce, eviction, and the severe shortage of safe, affordable housing.
34 Elbow Street, Providence
Providence Animal Rescue provides shelters for abandoned animals including dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals. Providence Animal Rescue then puts the animals up for adoption in hopes of finding them loving homes.
583 Third Beach Road, Middletown
The mission of the Norman Bird Sanctuary is to maintain land for the protection, preservation and propagation of birds. The sanctuary is also open for those who want to observe bird life.
Rhode Island Interscholastic League
600 Mt. Pleasent Avenue, Building #6 RI College Campus
Established in 1932, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League provides sports programs for Rhode Island high school teams. The league puts on in season tournaments as well as State Championship tournaments.
Gaits of Harmony Therapeutic Riding
2150 Tower Hill Road, Saunderstown
Gaits of Harmony provides all people with opportunities to educate, enrich and empower themselves in order to cope with the challenges of their daily lives through interaction with horses.
155 Plan Way Warwick RI 02886 USA
Plan strives to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of vulnerable children in developing countries by: Enabling children, their families and their communities to meet basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies; Fostering relationships to increase understanding and unity among peoples of different cultures and countries; and Promoting the rights and interests of the world’s children.
Rhode Island Tutorial and Educational Services
334 East Avenue, Pawtucket
Rhode Island and Southeastern Mass. K-12 students and adults with learning difficulties, such as ADHD, Dyslexia, NLD, and language processing.
281 Country Road, Barrington
Barrington Tap-in consists of over 100 dedicated volunteers. The organization welcomes senior citizens, moms, teens – anyone with an open heart and a helping hand – help to breathe life into our name and our mission: Touch A Person In Need
Dorcas International Institute of RI
220 Elmwood Avenue, Providence
Dorcas works to help anyone who is trying to overcome cultural, educational, economic or language barriers. Dorcas does this by providing client centered services.
622 Elmwood Avenue, Providence
McAuley Ministries provides the basic needs of food clothing, shelter, health services, emotional support and guidance to those in need.
DESIGNxRI is an economic builder, collaborator & communicator for design industries in Rhode Island. DESIGNxRI's goal is to maximize the assets of the design community and highlight its creative, innovative problem-solving practices to attract business opportunities and design jobs to Rhode Island.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
20 Dr. Marcus F Wheatland Blvd, Newport
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center looks to provide our clients with the tools and the knowledge to support their dreams. The MLK Community Center is as impactful and meaningful to the 3 year old toddler entering his first day of preschool as it is to our breakfast program clients who join us daily for a nutritious meal shared with friends.
200 Niantic Ave, Providence, RI
Rhode Island Food Bank allows you to donate non-perishable food to needy families this holiday season.
Most needed items include: peanut butter, tuna, canned and dried beans, canned chili, soups and stews.
1010 Hartford Ave, Johnston, RI
Operation Stand Down supports veteran female soldiers who have experienced hardship and homelessness in Rhode Island through their Cpl. Holly Charette House.
Help our troops come home and get back on their feet by donating to Operation Stand Down.
You can also help by organizing food drives for their other locations.
100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, RI
Donate or volunteer at Save the Bay this holiday.
By doing so, you can assist in clean ups and help preserve the natural environment of wildlife in Rhode Island.
Photo: Save the Bay
MAE Organization for the Homeless
Founded in 2007, MAE Organization for the Homeless helps homeless individuals and their families heal from the traumas and anxieties of their situation.
Photo: MAE Organization for the Homeless
405 Promenade St., Providence, RI
Rhode Island Blood Center was established in 1979 as a non-profit community blood center.
The Blood Center is the only source of blood and blood products for the hospitals’ of Rhode Island while also serving customers in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
386 Smith St., Providence, RI
Sojourner House, Inc. is a domestic violence agency that assists victims of relationship violence by providing shelter, advocacy and violence prevention education.
Donate to their safe house wish list with items like toaster ovens, small tables, pillows, fitted sheets, and pots and pans for their residents.
Photo: Sojourner House
Rhode Island Mayoral Academies
160 Westminister Street, Suite 202, Providence
The Rhode Island Mayoral Academies are committed to identifying high-quality school leaders and operators to open excellent racially and socioeconomically diverse public schools in areas of Rhode Island with a shortage of school choice.
25 Esten Avenue, Pawtucket
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
1005 Main Street, Suite 8233A, Pawtucket
Founded in 1998, Books Are Wings is a group of volunteers who are committed to literacy, reading, libraries, and fun.
1 Yorke Street, Newport
FabNewport uses technology as a platform for empowerment. Students are encouraged to discover their passions through play. Play means having time to fiddle, tinker and experiment with materials in encouraging environment supported by a coach.
1231 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale, RI
The Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale collects food and other items for its annual holiday program to help families in need and is run by youth volunteer members of Teen Jonnycake.
Photo: Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale
70 West Street, Barrington
The mission of the YMCA s to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, through programs, services and relationships that are based upon our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
P.O. Box 40758 Providence
Part of the Oath is the intersection between medicine and the performing arts; the culmination of a twenty year journey. Raising awareness and educating Rhode Islanders on current social and health issues, part of the oath is driving social change through community empowerment.
38 Asa Pond Rd., Wakefield, RI
Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund is an organization that supports music and art programs for children in Vietnam.
You can even donate a bike to children who often have to walk long distances to get to school.
Photo: Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund
743 Westminster St., Providence, RI
New Urban Arts was founded in 1997 and provides a community arts studio for students and emerging artists in Providence.
Donate your time as a volunteer to help mentor urban high school kids and help foster a supportive and creative community.
Photo: New Urban Arts
160 Broad St, Providence, RI
Crossroads is the largest homeless services organization in Rhode Island.
Donate goods like baby diapers, non-perishable food items, and toiletries to the organization this year to help those who are homeless or at risk during these winter months.
One Union Station, Providence, RI
Rhode Island Foundation allows you to donate to any of the funds estalished by generous Rhode Islanders.
Choose your cause and help one of the many organizations in your
226 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI
Hope Funds for Cancer Research holds special events every year to help raise money for young researchers looking for fellowship opportunities.
Become a philanthropist for the organization by attending, or make a gift to help fund cancer research in Rhode Island.
Photo: Hope Funds for Cancer Research
325 Laurel Ridge Ln., N. Kingstown, RI
Operation Support Our Troops sends care packages to members of the armed forces.
Give our troops a sense of home with your donation, and help them remember they are cared for. You can ever make a donation in honor of a soldier in your life.
Photo: Operation Support Our Troops
2346 Post Rd, Warwick, RI
Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island grants wishes to children living with life-threatening medical illnesses.
Refer a special child in your life or donate things like air miles, and fundraising events to help them say “yes” to children in the community.
Photo: Children's Wishes of Rhode Island
