2026 -- H 8343

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LC006192

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF SOJOURNER

HOUSE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Chippendale, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, J. Brien,
Phillips, Solomon, Ajello, Paplauskas, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: March 24, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Sojourner House was founded in 1976 by a group of Brown University

students and community members concerned about what was then a silent epidemic: domestic

violence; and

     WHEREAS, Sojourner House has operated for 50 years, serving over 60,000 Rhode

Islanders; and

     WHEREAS, Domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking continue to affect

individuals and families across Rhode Island, making the work of organizations like Sojourner

House vital to the safety and well-being of our communities; and

     WHEREAS, For fifty years, Sojourner House has been a leader in Rhode Island’s

response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, helping tens of thousands of

survivors and their families rebuild safe and stable lives; and

     WHEREAS, Sojourner House today is based in Providence and Woonsocket, and serves

communities across the state experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human

trafficking, including survivors and their children, providing wraparound services such as support

groups, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, sexual health

advocacy, and emotional support; and

     WHEREAS, Through collaboration and partnership statewide with government agencies,

nonprofit organizations, and key stakeholders in Rhode Island, Sojourner House works to develop

solutions that work for promoting, advancing, and maintaining the safety and well-being of

survivors; and

     WHEREAS, Housing remains the number one barrier for individuals fleeing violence to

find safety. Sojourner House has increasingly focused on housing solutions for Rhode Islanders

experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking by developing a continuum

of housing options, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and

permanent supportive housing. The organization has specifically focused on permanent housing

options in recent years by purchasing and leasing 197 units statewide allowing for the most

effective intervention for survivors and their families transitioning out of dangerous and violent

situations; and

     WHEREAS, Sojourner House has over 70 dedicated staff across 4 offices who are

experts on providing trauma-informed support to survivors at every step of the process and are

engaged community members that are grounded in the specified needs of survivors in Rhode

Island communities; and

     WHEREAS, Celebrating and recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Sojourner House

during this legislative session highlights and honors the legacy and ongoing work of advancing

support for domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking survivors in Rhode Island by

providing effective housing solutions and trauma-informed wraparound services; now, therefore

be it

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

celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Sojourner House of Rhode Island and extends its gratitude and

deep appreciation for five decades of service to survivors and families across Rhode Island; 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 Vanessa Volz, CEO of Sojourner House of

Rhode Island.

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