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Homeless in RI: Rico froze to death on North Main St. in Providence – Janice Luongo, Street Sights
by Janice Luongo, Editor, Street Sights
One day I was driving down Smith Street in Providence, and I saw a man sitting in an alcove with no coat on. I pulled over and got a coat from my car (I keep several there, in cold weather) and walked up to give it to him.
I asked how I can help. “What’s your name?” He said his name was Rico. It was freezing out. I asked him what was going on, and he said he wanted a cup of coffee. From there it was a short but intense conversation.
He was a gentle soul, looked rough, and I knew I needed to do something. I paid for him to have his coffee and breakfast. I wanted to take him to Mathewson Street Church, but he said he was all set. When that happens, I know there is little I could do. I was hoping for more, but we have to abide by what they want, not what I wanted. I said I would be back shortly, and left.
Next time I found him in the laundromat, he was washing his clothes because someone else came by to help, and that’s what he wanted. I was happy he was at least inside.
It went like that for a couple of weeks, and then I couldn’t find him. I drove around and asked people, but nothing. I got the news that they found someone frozen to death, over near North Main Street. I didn’t want to believe it was him. I only had his first name. Everyone knew Rico, but not his last name (this often happens).
I called the state morgue, and because I wasn’t family they couldn’t give me any info. Next time I will say I’m family. I told the woman the story and described Rico. Nothing. Next, I called the Providence Police station trying to find out who found him. Couldn’t get much information, but I found out that many people are found with no name, and they are left at the morgue for a certain time, and then buried in lots for the unidentified, unclaimed, or poor.
How sad. So I went back to the morgue, and found out it was him, and that his family had come to claim the body. And I sobbed. For the loss of a sweet soul who didn’t deserve to die this way. I went to the wake and met his father and other family members.
The loss of Rico has caused me to fight even harder. Now I am on a mission to find out who was his outreach worker or case worker? Kim, the Executive Director of the Coalition is tracking down if he was part of the Point in Time count the night he died – or not, Who was in that area doing it – counting?
What needs to be done to prevent this ever happening again?
The Governor and everyone up in the RI State House is responsible, as far as I’m concerned. Also, the Providence Mayor and the Providence City Council are responsible, for not providing adequate housing for those most vulnerable.
They all talk about affordable housing. Building, building, and more building. But my one and only question is – WHAT ABOUT TONIGHT?
Building homes and sheltering the homeless are two separate issues. Wake up everyone and know the difference.
We need you to join us in this fight.
We need a state of emergency, now!
Want to help, contact [email protected] – streetsights.wordpress.com
Janice Luongo, Editor
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Street Sights can trace its early beginnings to 1999 when a Brown University student doing research on street newspapers, thought the Providence homeless community might be served by such much-needed information, as well as an opportunity for self-expression. It has been published for approximately 16 years, beginning in 2007, as the first magazine written by and for the homeless population. It began as a weekly single sheet of purposeful and inspirational information distributed at agencies and newsstands, in tents, backpacks and the pockets of individuals who are unhoused. It can be found in every community. In recent time it has become a digital format, accessible by anyone using a computer, or cell phone.
Our publication with RINewsToday is a way to reach more people – and more audiences – with vital messages from and on behalf of our brothers and sisters.
Street Sights serves as a forum for advocates, unhoused and formerly-unhoused, people, students, state officials, and the general public to share accurate and honest information about issues relating to homelessness.
Readers may leave a note for Street Sights, for Janice, below:
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You did your best. God will bless you for your kind heart!❤️
One person is to many to die in the cold without housing…Why can’t the churches, schools, open there doors so these people have a warm place to sleep?? This state is heart-less…
There is building on Pontiac Ave way up towards Mayfield Ave that could be renovated for homeless people but it just sits there’decaying away
After reading this my heart just went numb .. I knew his mom and know his dad .. my heart goes out to them with many condolences 💐.. I remember when Rico was born I never could imagine his life would be so hurtful for anyone have to go through life homeless not knowing where your next meal where to take showers.. it’s very heartbreaking.. yes as a village we really need to stop turning our heads to the homeless and try our hardest to imagine being in there shoes ..
I am a outreach worker, and I have done the same thing, only thing is I knew Rico we grew up together, heartbroken is not even the word, so many of my unhoused people always get the bad end of the deal , rest up Rico 🙏🏽
Whatever happened to the Cranston Street Armory Project? Where’s all the money McKee said was available for RI housing and shelters. They messed up royally on the deal with the armory, but where’s the money that was earmarked for the project? I’m sorry I voted for him…
The building stands empty.
Thank you, Janice, for everything you did.
I am homeless aswell and was in a domestic relationship and they still said all shelters are full I have been sleeping in my car with no help but some from fb groups for self care items but it’s not enough I’m barely surviving if anybody has more help or more resources my number is (401) 871-7559
Sarah – please be careful with people offering help. What city do you live in if I may ask?
Please find my son, he has a tent somewhere near North Main St. His name is Anthony very thin. Please get every homeless person out of the cold and make them feel safe!!
omg this is heartbreaking. the State needs to do better for the homeless.
Thank you Janice, for telling us about Rico, someone you reached out to and made real for all of us. I agree, we are all responsible for protecting the unsheltered homeless. Why won’t Governor McGee, Acting Director Goddard and Mayor Smiley see this as a human crisis, a life-taking emergency? Against an increasing national disregard for poor people, poor immigrants and homeless. Time to take action!
God bless you this state need to do. So. Much more for people afford able rents safe places,to go some people are scared to go to shelter afraid they will be hurt or loose there stuff