2019 -- H 6226

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LC002826

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S 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: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Maldonado, and
Ackerman

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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

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

education, media and government sectors; and

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

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

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

state; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

children; and

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

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

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

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

formerly homeless adults; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

largest men's shelter; and

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

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

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

highest acuity achieve secure stable housing and income; and

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

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

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

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

education and workforce programs; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Crossroads Rhode Island on 125 years of helping

Rhode Islanders in need. We moreover thank all the Crossroads' Board of Directors,

Administrators and staff for their commitment and dedication; and be it further

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

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

Crossroads Rhode Island.

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