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Here you will find information and resources to help empower you to champion the cause of improving the lives of Rhode Islanders in need.

United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island Basic Needs Call Report

During a community forum hosted by United Way of Rhode Island on November 3, 2011 to discuss the growing numbers of people in need, more than 100 non-profit representatives and state leaders came together for a presentation on the impact of federal and state budget reductions on Rhode Island’s ability to help people in crisis. While the numbers of people seeking help are staggering, there is fear that the situation will become worse as the state’s already strained safety net is threatened by impending cuts. According to a Basic Needs Call Report furnished by United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island, the number of people seeking food assistance and help with foreclosure prevention has reached unprecedented levels. During 2011, the number of calls handled by 2-1-1 from Rhode Islanders grew by 12.5% over the previous year, which means 2-1-1 received more than 205,000 calls last year. Requests for food assistance grew by 168%; financial assistance calls grew by 111%.

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Out-of-School Time Parent Survey

Rhode Island parents in every city and town are convinced that afterschool programs benefit their children. In fact, ninety-one percent surveyed agree that they want such programs to be available to their children during out-of-school time. They would like the State to provide some funding. Also, parents say they experience workplace distractions when worrying about children after the school day ends. To learn more about what parents think of out-of-school time programs, click here to read the results of a statewide parent survey sponsored by United Way of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Afterschool Plus Alliance.

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Skill Up Rhode Island

In fall 2005, United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) launched Skill Up Rhode Island (Skill Up), a comprehensive $1.65 million workforce development initiative. Skill Up aims to meet Rhode Island businesses’ needs for skilled workers and to help economically disadvantaged Rhode Islanders obtain family‐supporting jobs. Over the next four years, UWRI’s work on Skill Up spurred increases in state and local funding for related efforts and garnered national attention and investment. Workforce partnerships seeded through Skill Up enrolled 463 economically disadvantaged adults, graduated 77% of those eligible to complete training and placed 62% of those individuals in jobs. To learn more, click here.

United Way of RI & RI Public Expenditure Council Social Safety Net Study for RI

UWRI and RIPEC teamed up for a joint study on the range of services that comprise R.I.’s Social Safety Net and the populations it serves. The study, the first of its kind in Rhode Island and entitled Social Safety Net Study for Rhode Island: Data Analysis Summary and Conceptual Framework, also examined enrollment and cost trends and offered information on comparisons to other N.E. states.

UWRI & RIPEC Social Safety Net Study for RI

United Way of RI Nonprofit Sector Survey

UWRI and Acadia Consulting Group, a nationally recognized marketing research firm, unveiled the results of a survey of the Rhode Island nonprofit sector, sponsored by UWRI, on April 27, 2009. Click here to learn of the actions nonprofits are taking to deal with an increasing demand for services during a time when resources available to them are being constrained.

2011-2012 Rhode Island Government Quick Reference Guide

UWRI's pocket-sized guide offers quick, easy access to the latest contact information for key personnel in RI government and related agencies. Click here, or on the icon to the left, to view the guide online. For a printable version, click here, or to request printed copies of the booklet, click here.

Selected Rhode Island Advocacy Organizations

HousingWorks RI: The HousingWorks RI coalition has come together to end Rhode Island's current housing crisis by promoting well-planned and high-quality residential construction. HousingWorks RI members include banks, builders, chambers of commerce, colleges, community-based agencies and advocates, faith groups, manufacturers, preservationists, realtors, municipal officials, unions and others.

The goal of HousingWorks RI is to create a Rhode Island where, once again, a decent home in a good neighborhood is within reach of any income. Click here to access the HousingWorks RI 2010 Fact Book which examines the current state and future opportunities in the development of affordable homes in RI.

For more information: www.housingworksri.org

Poverty Institute: The Poverty Institute works to promote economic security for low and moderate income Rhode Islanders and equitable tax and budget policies through policy analysis, education and advocacy.

For more information: www.povertyinstitute.org

Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless: The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless is organized to promote and preserve the dignity and quality of life for men, women, and children by pursuing comprehensive and cooperative solutions to the problems of housing and homelessness.

For more information: www.rihomeless.com

Rhode Island Kids Count: Rhode Island Kids Count is a statewide children's policy organization dedicated to improving the health, education, economic well-being and safety of Rhode Island's children. RI Kids Count collects and disseminates data on the well being of Rhode Island's children and advocates for and facilitates the development of responsive policies and programs.

Click here to access the 2010 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook. This resource provides the latest available statistics on 63 indicators, across five interrelated categories including: family and community, economic well-being, health, safety and education.

For more information: www.rikidscount.org

Housing Action Coalition: The Housing Action Coalition is a broad-based low-income housing advocacy organization. Their mission is to promote public policy initiatives to preserve and increase affordable housing opportunities in the state and raise public awareness on issues related to affordable housing.

Non-profit and Advocacy Websites

Advocacy Center at ISC: www.advocacy.org
Center for Law and Social Policy: www.clasp.org
Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest: www.clpi.org
Center for Non-profit Management: www.cnmsocal.org
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: www.cbpp.org
Independent Sector: www.independentsector.org
National Council of Non-Profit Associations: www.ncna.org
Non-profit Action: www.npaction.org
OMB Watch: www.ombwatch.org
Urban Institute: www.urban.org

Rhode Island Congressional Delegation

Senator Jack Reed: www.reed.senate.gov
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: www.whitehouse.senate.gov
Representative David N. Cicilline: www.cicilline.house.gov
Representative James R. Langevin: www.house.gov/langevin

Rhode Island Officers

Rhode Island Governor: www.governor.ri.gov
Rhode Island Lt. Governor: www.ltgov.state.ri.us
Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State: www.sec.state.ri.us
Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General: www.riag.ri.gov
Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer: www.treasury.ri.gov

State of Rhode Island General Assembly

For information on Senate and House of Representatives: www.rilin.state.ri.us
State of Rhode Island Government Information: www.info.ri.gov