Faith in Science Coalition launches TODAY to address COVID-19, urgent care initiatives – Ann Allison Clanton

By Ann Allison Clanton, “Speak-Up” contributing writer

COVID-19 numbers are rising in Providence’s West End, 02909, and the Rhode Island Department of Health and their community partners are taking swift action. The United Way and the traditional African-American churches that make up the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island are once again pressed into action.

Under the moniker Faith in Science, FiS is a multicultural, multiracial, and interfaith coalition of member churches of the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island.  The coalition, led by Faith in Science is a collaboration with United Way of RI and RI state agencies.

FIS’ primary focus is using their substantial community ties to increase equitable access and increase acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster among Rhode Island’s BIPOC populations. United Way of Rhode Island is stepping into service as Faith in Science’s fiscal agent, and United Way’s Lauren Case will lead the staff to facilitate plans for a series of vaccine clinics.

Launching TODAY at Black Lives Matter of Rhode Island’s Pawtucket based office is FIC’s first vaccine clinic. Each Thursday for the next four weeks, the grassroot social justice group will host a vaccine clinic in hopes of gaining the trust of Pawtucket families and individuals. “Black Lives Matter is happy to partner with the Coalition to educate and take action by getting our community vaccinated and building trust”, says BLM Founder Gary Dantzler. 

To address uptick in COVID -19 cases in the 02909 zip code, the Faith in Science coalition will then head to the West End to the Cranston Street historic house of worship, Ebenezer Baptist Church. While the focus now is on COVID-19 vaccinations, the coalition wants the Ocean State’s BIPOC community to know they are in it for the long haul and will be undertaking other urgent care initiatives of importance.

For information on how to sign up a Faith in Science sponsored vaccination clinic, contact Lauren Case at the United Way.

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Ann-Allison Clanton was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. As principle of Ann Clanton Communications, Ann has more than two decades of experience as a communications and public affairs consultant. She has written features and profiles articles for the Providence American Newspaper and Ethnic Online Magazine.

Among the notable persons interviewed include former U. S. Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Cornell West, former Florida Congressman Allen West (R-FL) and Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus first African American Ringmaster, Johnathan Lee Iverson.

Ann is the founder of the Rhode Island Black Film Festival and a founding member of the Southern New England Association of Black Journalists.