The Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism

This Week we Celebrate Homelessness Volunteerism!

• There are a growing number of homeless families in the U.S. Many states, including Rhode Island, are experiencing large levels of homelessness due to the difficult economy and lack of affordable housing. Raising awareness about homelessness is an important first step to ensure that vulnerable families get the help they need to secure housing.
• Did you know that one out of every 45 children in the U.S. are homeless? Homeless children are more likely to experience a range of problems such as poor development, healthcare concerns, a decline in academic performance and interpersonal challenges associated with the emotional trauma of homelessness and living in a shelter.
• The Woonsocket Homeless Shelter Program operated by Family Resources Community Action serves over 250 individuals a year, over half of them children. In addition to addressing families’ emergency housing, needs, residents are linked to other supports such as basic needs assistance, financial literacy, employment training, counseling, and early childhood and after school programs to help them become stable so they can transition to safe, permanent housing.

• Did you know that an 8 year old child is the fastest growing population of people experiencing homelessness? Often times it is due to domestic violence or other trauma related issues.
• The Old Colony Y is committed to providing supports to children and families that have had a hard time and have unfortunately bottomed out into homelessness. They are some of the strongest, most resilient, intelligent and caring people. It is important to wrap the “good things” a community has around them and love to provide children with tutors, mentors, field trips, exposure to new events and activities, BBQ’s, sporting events, the theater tickets and much more!
• There are many creative ways that people can make an impact and get involved in volunteering to benefit families.

Pine Street Inn

Your help makes a difference. More than 4,000 volunteers every year help Pine Street Inn provide shelter, housing and other crucial services to homeless men and women. Donations of time and talent help Pine Street continue the mission of ending homelessness.

Volunteering at Pine Street Inn:

• Helps the more than 1,600 men and women Pine Street serves each day as they begin to rebuild their lives.
• Demonstrates your commitment to the well-being of those in need in the community.
• Offers insights into the challenges of homelessness and poverty in Boston and helps us all become part of the solution.

• Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign- Volunteers are needed to staff kettles through December 24th at Shaw’s Supermarket in Woonsocket, and Stop & Shop, Brigido’s Market & Walmart in North Smithfield. For over 12 years, low income families have received rental, utility/heating assistance and prescription assistance through the Salvation Army. This support has prevented many families from becoming homeless. Interested volunteers should contact Wendy Pires at Family Resources Community Action at 401-235-6096 or wpires@famresri.org or visit www.famresri.org
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program – As a VITA Program site, Family Resources Community Action (FRCA) assists low-income individuals and families with income tax preparation free of charge, saving people hundreds of dollars in tax prep fees and helping them access the Earned Income Tax Credits for which they are eligible. FRCA is seeking two types of volunteers beginning January 14, 2013: 1) Tax Preparation Volunteers - IRS Certified individuals who work directly with clients to prepare income tax returns. 2) Client Intake Volunteers who assist clients with the intake process by verifying intake sheets and copying supporting documents. All intake volunteers will participate in a brief training (30 minutes – 1 hour). Interested volunteers should contact Wendy Pires at 401-235-6096 or wpires@famresri.org or visit www.famresri.org
• Special Events- FRCA is seeking individuals to assist with planning for its two major fundraising events: FRCA’s 8th Annual Golf Tournament (to be held on Friday, June 7th 2013), and FRCA’s 25th Annual ShelterWalk (to be held on Saturday October 19th 2013.) Both events raise funds to support the Woonsocket Homeless Shelter and Homelessness Prevention Programs. To learn more about these volunteer opportunities, contact Wendy Pires at 401-235-6096 or wpires@famresri.org or visit www.famresri.org

• There are a variety of ways that people can volunteer and make an impact with families. People who are looking to volunteer for a short time may find themselves getting involved in restoring an outdoor play space that families use, or it may involve participating in a food or toiletries drive.
• People with a passion for education and teaching others who have more time to commit may find themselves becoming a tutor, a mentor, or helping to organize an ongoing GED preparation class for parents.
• Families who are looking to teach their children about volunteerism and giving back to others may find that volunteering to sponsor another family for back to school clothes and supplies is how they want to volunteer their time on the weekend.
• Or people can come and just bring a skill or talent and spend time with a child. Our programs are also always very appreciative of businesses that offer to donate tickets for families to attend sporting events, theatrical shows, or museum passes. These allow the families we serve the chance to do things together as a family that they would otherwise not be able to afford. There are many creative ways that people can make an impact and get involved in volunteering.

• Supper/Brunch Club: Provide the ingredients and prepare a healthy meal for tenants at one of our permanent houses. Come up with a creative meal and cook on-site for approximately 12 tenants. This is a great way to get to know our tenants while sharing a delicious meal.
• Learn and Serve: This half-day group opportunity combines hands-on service with education on the issues of homelessness, poverty and Boston’s lack of affordable housing. Volunteers work in our busy kitchen alongside kitchen staff and food services job trainees to prepare food that will be served to our guest and tenants that week. After the service, volunteers are given a guided tour of the Inn.
• Evening Meal Service: For just an hour and a half of your time, your group can provide those in need with a nutritious meal. Volunteers are needed to serve dinner every night at each of our shelter locations in Boston’s South End, Jamaica Plain and North Quincy.
• Innbassadors Group for Pine Street Inn: The Innbassadors is a group of Boston's emerging leaders and young professionals who are committed to the mission of ending homelessness. The group organizes volunteer opportunities to help improve the lives of our shelter guests and housing tenants, as well as fundraising and networking events to build support and awareness for Pine Street Inn.