2023 -- H 6469

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LC003104

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $800,000 TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL

TO SUPPORT A ONE-TIME CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION

AND RENOVATIONS OF HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL'S NEW

HEADQUARTERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: May 31, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, Higher Ground International (HGI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to

advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberian and West African

immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities; and

     WHEREAS, National experts indicate that in order to lift people out of poverty,

communities must break down systemic barriers and ensure access to programs that offer

transitional services, including workforce preparation, job skills development, behavioral health

support, and basic necessities; and

     WHEREAS, Higher Ground International currently provides all of these recommended

services, however, there is a critical need to provide these services to more community members

which can only be accomplished through expanded and renovated facilities; and

     WHEREAS, New and renovated headquarters would enable HGI to serve an estimated

600 families a month through their food pantry, 125 elders a month through their Sweetie Care

African Enrichment Day Program, and 250 individuals a month through their social service and

transformational programs; and

     WHEREAS, An appropriation in the amount of $800,000 is a long-term and life-

changing one-time capital investment contribution that would expand the organization's ability to

offer vital services to hundreds more community members; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of eight hundred thousand dollars

($800,000) to Higher Ground International, Inc. to support a one-time capital contribution for the

construction and renovations of Higher Ground International's new headquarters; and the state

controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the

payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of

properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $800,000 TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL

TO SUPPORT A ONE-TIME CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION

AND RENOVATIONS OF HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL'S NEW

HEADQUARTERS

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $800,000 to Higher

Ground International for the construction and renovations of HGI's new headquarters.

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LC003104

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