South Providence Neighborhood Ministries Pictures

South Providence Neighborhood Ministries offers a number of services to surrounding residents including weekly food programs, financial assistance for utility and rent bills, toiletry needs, layettes for expecting mothers, case management, advocacy, and referrals to community agencies. I was there to visit our members working for the summer youth program at SPNM. They help plan and supervise events for children each day. While I was there, the kids were working on a community clean-up and recycling program, science experiments like baking soda and vinegar volcanoes, and an animal workshop.

Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket Pictures

The Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket is open year-round but is currently running its summer camp programs. They serve children from ages 6 to 12 and also have a teen center. The organization plans a structured schedule for each of the age groups every day. The facility includes a computer lab, gym, swimming pool, reading room, music lab, arts and crafts room, a science club, playground, and more.

Central RI Chamber of Commerce Pictures

The Central RI Chamber of Commerce is organized to support and advance the business community in Rhode Island by providing leadership initiative in economic and human development. The Chamber hosts approximately 3 events per month for its members such as luncheons and coffee breaks. The event that I attended was a LEADS Luncheon designed as "speed dating for your business" for the members of the Central RI Chamber and their guests.

Youth Pride Pictures

Youth Pride, Inc. provides support, advocacy, and education for youth and young adults throughout Rhode Island who are impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. They hold events like work-out classes and game nights during the week and have special events on Saturdays. Youth Pride sees about 70 different faces stop in each week and has had around 500 people visit the drop-in center at some point this year. Youth Pride also has a community food pantry.

International Institute of RI Pictures

The International Institute of Rhode Island is an organization that provides high quality educational, legal and social services to immigrants and refugees throughout RI as well as a full range of interpreting and translating services and cultural training program. Gaining US citizenship is a long and complicated process, and some immigrants are waiting 20 or more years for the opportunity to become citizens.

Real Life Superheroes Movement

Here is an interesting volunteer program which is rising in popularity due to the downturn of the economy. The Real-Life Superheroes is a grassroots movement that performs civic service in many different areas. Real Life Superheroes make an impact on their communities by doing civic activities, public safety patrols, crime fighting, charity work and other pro social acts.

If you are interested in learning more there is a great article from CNN at 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/04/real.life.superheroes/ or you can visit the Superheroes Anonymous website at www.superheroesanonymous.com

Bristol Pictures

Here are the pictures I took while visiting the Good Neighbor Soup Kitchen and Bristol Park and Recreation.