Successes - How Your Gifts Change Lives in RI

From Lazy in School to College Bound

When Steven's counselor in middle school noticed he could draw, he suggested that Steve check out RiverzEdge Arts Project. "I was really lazy and I wasn't planning on college. I didn't want to deal with school."

But in the ScreenWorks studio, Steve got into the technical part. "I liked working with the digital tools." RiverzEdge got on him when his grades were falling and he brought them up and kept them there. Now Steve's headed to Full Sail University, and he's going for art. 

This once-lazy, talented designer tells us, "I can't wait. It's everything that I'm into!"

Teens Dare to Dream

The message to teens was clear at the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference – “find your voice, build your support network and follow your dream”. High school transition age students 14-21 with special needs from all over Rhode Island gathered at an event organized primarily by RI Parent Information Network. They came to learn from, and be inspired by, young adults who have overcome obstacles along the road to reaching their dreams.

When asked to rate the day on a scale of 1 to 10, a group of students from Providence responded “100." Another teacher reported to RIPIN, “The girls came back all excited. One of my students really connected with one of the guest speakers. She said, "I thought she was speaking to me."

Single Mother of 5 Gets Help to Keep Roof over Their Heads

Delores, a low income single mother of 5 who had recently lost her job, was behind on rent and received an eviction notice from her landlord. She applied to and was approved for the Landlord/Tenant Eviction Prevention Program at the Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island. An experienced mediator facilitated the conversation between Delores and the landlord and helped them come to an agreement about the arrears. They also discussed other issues such as behavior, expectations, communication, and much-needed repairs.

CMCRI’s unique program, combining case management with conflict resolution and, in this instance, a mere $500 of rental assistance during the mediation process, was able to preserve housing for this family of 6.

From an Angry Fighter to a Special Needs Camp Assistant

As a teenager, Bob became very depressed and angry following the death of his mother. He began fighting at school and experimenting with drugs. His school enrolled him in the Viola M. Berard School at NRI Community Services (NRICS). He and his father used their Neighborhood Health Plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse services at NRICS.
Bob’s school work improved dramatically, he returned to his middle school, and was able to feel okay without antidepressants or street drugs. Bob’s activities at a YMCA sparked an interest in recreation and education. He was assisted in enrolling at CCRI, and last summer Bob worked with young special needs kids who attend a local camp supported in part by NRICS.