United Way 211 opens satellite at CCRI, Warwick, to help “remove barriers to student success”

The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Through this partnership, CCRI students will have on-campus, in-person access to United Way 211 and the wide range of essential services it connects Rhode Islanders with, including housing and financial assistance, food security programs, mental health resources, childcare support, career development opportunities, and more. The satellite office is staffed by a trained outreach specialist from United Way who assists students in navigating the community resources available, helping them with the support they need to stay on track academically and achieve their goals. It is United Way’s first student-facing outreach office of its kind in the state.

“At CCRI, we know that challenges outside the classroom can often be the biggest obstacles to student success,” said Dr. Rosemary Costigan, President of CCRI. “By bringing United Way 211 and the resources it offers directly to our students, we are strengthening our commitment to eliminating barriers and providing the wraparound support that ensures every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

United Way of Rhode Island has been a driving force for community change for nearly 100 years, working to improve education, financial stability, and health outcomes for Rhode Islanders. The organization’s partnership with CCRI represents its deep commitment to expanding its community outreach to ensure Rhode Islanders are able to connect with essential services and programs when they need them most. Through its 211, Point, and direct community outreach efforts, United Way handles more than 250,000 touchpoints each year from individuals and families seeking help.

“This new satellite office reflects our dedication to ensuring every Rhode Islander has access to the resources and support they need and that we’re able to meet our neighbors where they are,” said Larry Warner, DrPH, Chief Impact and Equity Officer, United Way of RI. “By deepening our partnership with CCRI, we are making it easier for students to connect with vital services that help them not only remain in school, but also thrive.”

CCRI’s partnership with United Way of Rhode Island aligns with its mission to foster student success by removing financial, social, and logistical obstacles to educations. With many students juggling work, family responsibilities, and financial challenges, access to on-campus support services can make a critical difference in their ability to persist and graduate.

United Way’s satellite office at the CCRI Warwick campus is located in Room 3009 and is open on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To connect with the office, students may contact Patricia Miller at [email protected].