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Last updated on March 4, 2008

Reflecting God's love and in response to our neighborhood's diverse needs, South Providence Neighborhood Ministries provides services and opportunities that encourage self-worth and build a safe and just community of caring, respect and cooperation.

Description:
South Providence Neighborhood Ministries is an ecumenical, faith-based ministry coordinated by Three full-time staff, six part time staff and implemented by hundreds of volunteers. Current programs include a food pantry serving hundreds of families a week - including personal care, cleaning, infant supplies, emergency rent and utility help, sponsorship of a cooperative purchasing and community building program called Serve New England, and assistance connecting people with other programs for needs we can't meet. Neighborhood Ministries also has a youth program for school-age children that meets after-school and for full days when school is not in session, except for legal holidays. This program emphasizes helping children succeed academically, learn and practice, non violence, problem solving skills, and develop and practice leadership skills. Neighborhood Ministries also sponsors very active Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs and enables youth to participate in other enrichment activities through special sponsorships. Another program the Neighborhood Ministries sponsors is an Adult ESL program for adults to learn English and a sewing program for adults and is active in neighborhood development programs as well as efforts to provide better programs and services for needy residents.

History:
South Providence Neighborhood Ministries began as an outreach program by Calvary Baptist Church and the American Baptist Church USA. The food pantry began regular operation in 1978. During the 1980's the outreach program became ecumenical and was known as South Providence Neighborhood Ministries. The first staff person, Grace Wilcox as Coordinator of Direct Services, was hired in 1985. The Board of Directors began meeting in January, 1987, with Lois Deware as President, John Ramos as Vice President, Lois Ryden as Secretary, and Miriam Morrison as Treasurer. Patricia Halsall was the first Executive Director. In 1988 Rebecca Waugh was hired as Executive Director, and South Providence Neighborhood Ministries was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Wanda Michaelson became Executive Director in 1993.
Neighborhood Ministries is a volunteer based organization. The by-laws define members as persons who have volunteered 36 or more hours for the organization in the past year. South Providence Neighborhood Ministries first became a "Model Volunteer Program" in 1997.
The food pantry has grown from serving 30 families a week in 1988 to serving over 200 families a week in 2007. We have gone from giving people a bag of food to allowing them to pack their own bags according to their family size from what we have available, which we feel is more respectful and affirming.
Our youth program has grown from two days to five days a week and became a licensed child care program in January 2004. In 2004, over 70% of participants achieved a "B" average or better in school.

Neighborhood Ministries has been committed to providing services with respect and caring since its beginning. Numbers served have grown significantly and continue to grow. For instance, in 1988 Neighborhood Ministries was giving food to an average of 30 families a week, while in 2007 we are giving food to over 227 families every week.

Contact people:

Yvette Kenner, Executive Director, (401) 461-7509, (email) Amy Thomas, Youth Program Coordinator, (401) 461-7509, (email) Grace Wilcox, Program Coordinator, (401) 461-7509, (email)

Office fax number: 401-785-8277

Address:

747 Broad Street Providence, RI 02907 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.spnm.org

Directions:

Please call for directions.   Nearest Bus Stop: Bus 11, Broad St., 0 min minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families, Helping People in Crisis, Building Adult & Neighborhood Independence
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	Yes

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