Project Outreach
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| Last updated on May 2, 2008 |
The mission of Project Outreach at Washington Park is to work with and through churches and community residents, other organizations and all people of good will to rebuild and renew life in the neighborhood of Washington Park and the surrounding area.
Description:
Services provided to the community include the following:
Advocacy - We continue to advocate for systemic change to end poverty in the neighborhood in cooperation with the George Wiley Center and the Campaign to Eliminate Poverty as well as the URI Feinstein Program Hunger Institute and the United Way.
Client Choice Community Food Program - Clients choose enough food for their size family twice per month with amounts that can sustain them for the entire period. We serve over 600 families each year, over 100,000 meals.
Tuesday Fresh Bread, Produce and Dairy Distribution Program - Adults meet for an informative and educational program weekly and receive healthy, whole grain breads, fresh produce, and dairy items to take home.
Health Education Programs - Offered on Tuesdays, this program addresses the problem of the Disparity in Minority Health. Topics include: The Effects of Second Hand Smoke and The Use of Tobacco Products, Prenatal Lead Poisoning Prevention, Cancer, Obesity, Heart Disease and Diabetes, High Risk Behavior. Many of our programs are funded by The Rhode Island Department of Health Mini-Grant Program. All classes are in English and Spanish. We have also presented a mini-health fair with health screenings.
Nutrition Program - Johnson and Wales culinary students use our kitchen as a classroom each Tuesday to make a meal out of food that is commonly distributed to our clients. The clients watch the meal being prepared. The students learn about poverty and the clients learn new recipes and nutrition. A nutritionist from URI Home Extension joins us each Tuesday to explain the nutritional value of the food being prepared. All classes are in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The nutritionist is there each Friday as people choose their food to give them guidance, especially for families experiencing health problems such as diabetes or childhood obesity.
Infant Room - We distribute baby diapers, wipes, food, formula, furniture, layettes, toys, clothing and other baby supplies to families living in the 02905 neighborhood. We give one-on-one counseling and advice for new parents and make referrals to other agencies for special needs. We cooperate with the RICFB and the March of Dimes to distribute vitamins and supplements such as folic acid to infants and mothers. We present health programs on related topics such as the importance of Folic Acid. This program is in English, Spanish and Portuguese
Sewing Program - The Barrington High School special needs students have been given small portable sewing machines to make gift bags and are filling them with toiletries for clients and Easter surprises for children. We will be starting sewing classes for all ages in the very near future with our new super sewing machine and fleet of small machines.
Clothing Distribution - We distribute clothing for babies, children and teens for back to school and Christmas.
Community Gardening Program - We have a large demo garden at our sight that is maintained by neighborhood volunteers. The produce is used for our classes and food distribution. This year we have added raised beds for the elderly and disabled and we will be doing special classes for that group. We present a series of gardening classes on Tuesday morning in Spanish and English.
Movie Dates - We have occasional movie and lunch dates for volunteer appreciation and for the elderly and disabled. We include children and teens in the summer. We provide transportation and tickets and attend as a group.
Work Skills Training Program - We work with special groups to teach work readiness. These groups include, Gateway, Turning Around, Barrington HS special needs, and folks who have been recently released from incarceration. We have many community service volunteers sent to us by the courts and the school systems including higher education.
Holiday Distributions - Toys, Books and clothing distributed to over 1000 children at Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Back to School. We also distributed for Toys for Tots this year to the entire state.
Contact person: Zuleika Vidal, Director, (401) 941-6244, (email)
Office fax number: (401) 884-9126
Address:
 |
1520 Broad St.
Providence, RI 02905
(See a map) |
Web Site: None specified
Directions:
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We are located in the basement of the Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church.
Nearest Bus Stop: Bus # 11 (Broad Street), 1 minute minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Handicap accessible? |
|
No
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| Interests Served: |
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Solutions for Children, Youth, Families, Helping People in Crisis
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| Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers? |
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Yes
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