2019 -- S 0986

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LC002843

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING CROSSROADS RHODE ISLAND ON 125 YEARS OF HELPING

RHODE ISLANDERS IN NEED

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Metts, Goodwin, Coyne, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Crossroads Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization, is the leading provider

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of housing and services to the homeless in Rhode Island and is governed by a 40-member

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volunteer Board of Directors with representation from the business, finance, health care,

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education, media and government sectors; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1894, Crossroads was founded as Travelers Aid of Rhode Island to assist

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people who came to Providence in search of work, many of whom were young women. Since

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then, Crossroads Rhode Island has evolved to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our

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state; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2004, in order to reflect the growing needs of the homeless population,

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the named changed to Crossroads Rhode Island and moved from downtown Providence into its

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current headquarters in the former YMCA building at 160 Broad Street, taking over the

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ownership and management of 192 permanent supportive housing units within the building; and

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     WHEREAS, Today, Crossroads is the largest homeless services organization in Rhode

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Island, offering 24/7 services including housing, shelter, basic needs, education & employment

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services, case management, referrals, and a domestic violence program; and

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     WHEREAS, Currently, Crossroads owns or manages 370 housing units statewide and

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provides services to more than 3,500 people each year, including nearly 1,000 women and 750

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children; and

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     WHEREAS, Crossroads' main facility, which is located at 160 Broad Street, Providence,

 

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houses administrative offices, and its on-site services include intake and assessment; emergency

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shelter services; a day program for homeless adults; adult education, job training and employment

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programs; case management; basic needs assistance; and permanent supportive housing for

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formerly homeless adults; and

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     WHEREAS, Crossroads' off-site locations include Family Services Programs at the

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Family Centers in Providence and Warwick, which provide shelter, employment-based interim

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and permanent housing programs to families; a domestic violence safe house and transitional

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apartments for survivors; Mike Terry Apartments in Providence, which serve chronically

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homeless and disabled adults and youth; Kingstown Crossings Apartments in North Kingstown,

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which provide supportive housing to formerly homeless families and low-income community

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residents; and the Harold Lewis House, located in West Warwick, which provides supportive

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housing for homeless elders and veterans. Crossroads also provides several permanent housing

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units in Providence and Pawtucket and manages Harrington Hall in Cranston, which is the state's

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largest men's shelter; and

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     WHEREAS, Through evidence-based best practices, a housing-first approach and

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statewide coordinated entry using the Service Priority Decision Assistance Tool, Crossroads

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identifies clients with the greatest needs for assistance and concentrates on helping those with

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highest acuity achieve secure stable housing and income; and

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     WHEREAS, Crossroads collaborates with many businesses, social services agencies, and

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government entities. Partners include the Providence Community Health Centers, which operate

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an on-site health clinic for homeless adults; organizations that provide mental health and

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substance abuse programs; supportive housing programs; public safety; corrections; and adult

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education and workforce programs; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby congratulates Crossroads Rhode Island on 125 years of helping Rhode Islanders in need.

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We moreover thank all the Crossroads' Board of Directors, Administrators and staff for their

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commitment and dedication; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Karen A. Santilli, President and CEO of

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Crossroads Rhode Island.

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LC002843

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