Homeless in RI: Providence Diocese and DaVinci Center expand to meet the crisis

After the two City Councilors, Roias and Sanchez, spontaneously opened the Chambers at Providence City Hall, much to the opposition by Mayor Smiley, night two was moved to the DaVinci Center, on Charles Street, in Providence. Transportation was provided for those from Kennedy Plaza who could not get there otherwise. Volunteers arrived with food, clothing, water, etc. Here is Councilor Roias posting on “X” late last night:

In photo, at right, is Pat Ford of Libertarian Mutual Aid.

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Earlier in the day the Diocese of Providence announced the opening of their men’s shelter to additional services as well as their heating hotline:

Emmanuel House Warming Center & Homeless Shelter

Emmanuel House, the homeless shelter of the Diocese of Providence, is operating 24 hours a day as a state warming center through at least the morning of Friday, January 10. Emmanuel House is open to all who are seeking refuge from the cold and outdoors. Emmanuel House will also continue to provide emergency overnight shelter for men and women. Those seeking shelter or warmth can call Emmanuel House at 401-421-7888 or go directly to Emmanuel House at 239 Public Street, Providence.
Emmanuel House is a ministry of the Diocese of Providence funded in part by the Catholic Charity Appeal. For additional information on Emmanuel House, see https://dioceseofprovidence.org/homeless-shelter

Keep the Heat On Emergency Heating Assistance

Diocese of Providence’s Keep the Heat On emergency heating assistance hotline will remain staffed through the weekend.  “Keep the Heat On” has provided heating and utility bill assistance to Rhode Islanders in need for close to two decades, offering assistance towards emergency deliveries of home heating oil and heating utility bills for those in Rhode Island who have exhausted other public and private assistance programs and still need help. “Keep the Heat On” has contributed more than $4.4 million in heating assistance to more than 17,750 Rhode Island households.

For heating assistance, call 401-421-7833 (ext. 207). For those who would like to contribute to Keep the Heat On to help other Rhode Islanders may do so at heatri.com

Other Assistance Programs at the Diocese

The many assistance programs of the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Charities and Social Ministry also continue to operate throughout the state. For more information on assistance available, visit https://dioceseofprovidence.org/find-support or call 401-421-7833.

This is a developing story