Giving Good

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation was established in 2004, in loving memory of Gloria Gemma, a wife and mother-of-nine who lost her courageous fight in 2002. What started out as a website full of resources and information, grew into an organization that provides over twenty programs designed to heal mind, body and spirit. In 2008, the Foundation opened its Resource and Wellness Center, and has developed numerous free programs and services for people living with breast cancer.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health and quality of life of RI farmers and eaters. Farm Fresh’s objectives are to preserve Rhode Island farmland and our agricultural and culinary knowledge, build healthier communities, increase access to fresher, tastier food, improve impact of food production and distribution on the environment, and strengthen community-based business.

Family Services of RI is one of the oldest and largest non-profit human service agencies in Rhode Island. We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and state licensed for behavioral health services and substance abuse treatment. They are also state-certified and state-contracted to provide a wide variety of developmental and mental health services for children and adults of all ages, and hold a dual license for special and regular education.

Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island welcomes all those who are working to overcome cultural, educational, economic and language barriers; and empower them to achieve self-sufficiency and to participate actively in our community. They empower individuals and families, especially the under-served, immigrants, and refugees, to become self-sufficient and fully participating members of our diverse community through innovative programs and advocacy that promote education, training, and cultural understanding.

Families First RI is a grassroots non-profit organization that pairs moms of infants with highly trained Volunteer Mentor Moms. Some moms may be coping with the typical challenges associated with caring for an infant, and possibly older children. Some of these challenges may include balancing the expectations of work and family, financial stress, health issues, or single parenting. Other moms may be experiencing, or are at risk for, postpartum depression (PPD), or an anxiety disorder. Some moms who are pregnant may also feel depressed, anxious or isolated. The mission of Families First is to provide in-home psychiatric evaluations, treatment referrals, social support, and parenting education to women who are experiencing, or who are at risk for, depression. Pregnant women and those in the postpartum year are referred to us by hospitals, visiting nurses and psychiatrists. Families First addresses the challenges of postpartum adjustment and the risks of maternal depression by providing peer mentoring through weekly home visits with our trained and supervised volunteers, as well as social and educational gatherings.

For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families living with disabilities. Throughout all life’s moments, Easterseals is here to help people and families realize and reach for their full potential. Across the nation, they remove physical, cultural, attitudinal and legal obstacles so people with disabilities have every opportunity to live meaningful and productive lives, on their own terms. They aim to provide the best services and opportunities for people with disabilities in communities nationwide. Easterseals serves people and families who face a wide range of disabilities, including physical emotional, intellectual, social and educational.

Crossroads RI is the largest homeless services organization in Rhode Island, and their main mission is to help homeless or at-risk individuals and families secure stable homes. They provide services like housing, basic needs, shelter, case management, referrals, and education and employment services.

Day One is the only agency in Rhode Island that is specifically organized to deal with issues of sexual assault as a community concern. They provide treatment, intervention, education, advocacy, and prevention services to Rhode Islanders of all ages. Additionally, they advocate for public policy initiatives and systemic changes that positively impact how Rhode Island families handle sexual abuse cases.

Capital City Community Centers (Cap City) is a non-profit social service agency in the heart of Providence, RI. For nearly seventy years, they have remained committed to helping members of the community live healthy lives. Their mission is to support individuals and families who have difficulty across life domains with the basic needs of food, housing and clothing to child and senior care.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, part of Big Brother Big Sister of America, is a mentoring organization that serves children ages 7 to 15 from across Rhode Island who are at highest risk for substance abuse, school failure, early parenting, and violence; those living in high-risk environments such as dangerous neighborhoods or isolated rural settings, or who come from families facing challenges such as major mental illness, life-threatening or chronic disease, poverty, addiction, and domestic violence.