Better Lives Rhode Island

Address

15 Hayes Street
Providence, RI 02908

(401) 454-7422

www.betterlivesri.org

Description:

Better Lives RI is a non-profit agency whose mission is to offer stability, justice, and hope to those in need through advocacy and direct service. This is accomplished through our five program areas. They help people better their own lives by providing hope and support for a better tomorrow and food security and homeless services to get through today.
Food Security

Downtown Food Pantry: Twice a month guests can shop for the food they choose (!€œclient choice!€). In summer, They distribute boxes of food geared to children (with no school breakfast or lunch).

Friday Night Community Meal: Guests are served a sit-down dinner and can access programming; legal clinics health screenings, flu shots, nutrition information.

Homeless Outreach Program: Started by a homeless volunteer, he applied best practices of agencies he had once utilized himself. They work with the most marginalized: The newly and chronically homeless People with physical and mental disabilities Prisoners upon release Those suffering from addictions and in recovery. We empower our guests to meet their self-stated goals which include housing, access to health care, benefits, jobs, etc. Our basic needs items include clothing, use of the address, toiletries and photo ID!€™s. The most important thing we offer is hope and someone who will listen.

HOPE & SUPPORT
Intensive Case Management: They give people hope and help them build their own support system with intensive case management.
SOAR: (SSI/SSDI Outreach and Access to Recovery) This highly intensive program offers a fast track to SSI/SSDI benefits for chronically homeless disabled individuals.

Special Notes/Funding

Consent or release of information needs to be provided prior receiving service, verbally or written.

Description

They provide holistic case management on a walk-in basis to the homeless population. They give people hope and help them build their own support system with intensive case management. All people navigating services get intensive case management to facilitate their success. SOAR: (SSI/SSDI Outreach and Access to Recovery) This highly intensive program offers a fast track to SSI/SSDI benefits for chronically homeless disabled individuals.

Hours

Varies

Required Documents

None

Eligibility

Chronically homeless disabled individuals

Fees

None

Intake Procedure

Call/Walk-ins

Service Area

Providence

Geography Served

    If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

  • Rhode Island
    • Providence County
      • Providence
Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (PH-1000) and related services within the Service Tree.

Description

They help with SSN card and ID application, they also help with housing applications.

Hours

call to confirm

Fees

no fees

Languages

English and Spanish

Service Area

Only Providence

Geography Served

    If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

  • Rhode Island
    • Providence County
      • Providence
Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (FT-1020) and related services within the Service Tree.

Special Notes/Funding

Operated by the RI Community Food Bank. Funded by a grant issued by the USDA and distributed through the RI Division of Elderly Affairs.

Description

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is the only USDA Nutrition program that provides a monthly package of healthy, nutritious food specifically for low income seniors. Food package includes: cereal, fruit juice, protein items, shelf stable milk, peanut butter, pasta, cheese, and canned fruits and vegetables

Hours

Varies

Required Documents

Photo ID, Proof of Income, Proof of Address

Eligibility

Ages 60+ and with income at or less than 130% of the Poverty Income Guidelines

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Complete application

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

    If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

  • Rhode Island

    Telephone Numbers

    Number:
    401-454-7422
    Name:
    Main Phone
    Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BD-1800.1500) and related services within the Service Tree.

    Special Notes/Funding

    RI Community Food Bank member agency ***Expanded hours may be available due to COVID-19. Please call for information.

    Description

    Downtown Food Pantry located at 15 Hayes Street, in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church across from Providence Mall. Clients can access food pantry 2X a month; Clients can arrange for home delivery if disabled.

    Availability

    Handicapped Accessible

    Hours

    Mon 3:00pm-6:00pm, Tues 9:00am-1:00pm

    Required Documents

    Photo ID Proof of address a bill ie electric, rent bill, phone bill

    Eligibility

    Resident of Providence

    Fees

    No Fees

    Intake Procedure

    First time: meet with intake worker and show required documents.

    Languages

    Spanish

    Service Area

    Providence

    Geography Served

      If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

    • Rhode Island
      • Providence County
        • Providence

    Telephone Numbers

    Number:
    401-454-7422
    Name:
    Main Phone
    Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BD-1800.2000) and related services within the Service Tree.

    Description

    Meal Site located at 134 Matthewson Street, downtown Providence, in Matthewson Street Methodist Church. Offers programming nearly every week geared to guests including a free legal clinic monthly; health screenings; flu shots, and outreach by health care providers and SNAP

    Availability

    Not handicapped accessible

    Hours

    Fri: Doors open at 3:00PM, Meal served at 4:00PM-5:30PM

    Required Documents

    None

    Eligibility

    All are welcomed

    Fees

    No Fees

    Intake Procedure

    None

    Service Area

    Providence

    Geography Served

      If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

    • Rhode Island
      • Providence County
        • Providence

    Contact

    Name:
    Liz McGrath
    Title:
    Supervisor
    Description:
    Friday Night Meal Site Coordinator
    Phone:
    401-454-7422

    Telephone Numbers

    Number:
    401-454-7422
    Name:
    Main Phone
    Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BD-5000.8300) and related services within the Service Tree.

    Description

    Thanksgiving Meal 2018: No dinner provided

    Geography Served

    None

    Telephone Numbers

    Number:
    401-831-0480
    Type:
    Fax
    Name:
    Fax
    Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (PH-2950.8500-870) and related services within the Service Tree.

    General Information

    Hours:

    Downtown Food Pantry: Mon 12:00-4:00PM, Tues-Fri 9:00AM-1:00PM;
    Downtown Meal site: Fri: Doors open at 3:00PM, Meal served at 4:00PM-5:30PM (only PICA site not handicapped accessible);
    Homeless Outreach and Supportive Services Hours: Mon-Thu 9:30AM-12:00PM and 1:00PM-3:30PM.

    Intake Process:

    Walk-in

    Program Fees:

    No Fees

    Eligibility:

    Varies

    Handicap Accessible?

    Yes

    Accessibility:

    (only PICA site not handicapped accessible)

    Is Shelter?

    No

    Miscellaneous

    AKA:

    formerly Providence In-Town Churches Association; PICA

    Related Resource

    Date of Official Change:

    March 4, 2022

    Legal Status:

    Non-Profit

    Year Incorporated:

    1974

    Special Notes/Funding

    Consent or release of information needs to be provided prior receiving service, verbally or written.

    Description

    They provide holistic case management on a walk-in basis to the homeless population. They give people hope and help them build their own support system with intensive case management. All people navigating services get intensive case management to facilitate their success. SOAR: (SSI/SSDI Outreach and Access to Recovery) This highly intensive program offers a fast track to SSI/SSDI benefits for chronically homeless disabled individuals.

    Hours

    Varies

    Required Documents

    None

    Eligibility

    Chronically homeless disabled individuals

    Fees

    None

    Intake Procedure

    Call/Walk-ins

    Service Area

    Providence

    Geography Served

      If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

    • Rhode Island
      • Providence County
        • Providence
    Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (PH-1000) and related services within the Service Tree.

    Description

    They help with SSN card and ID application, they also help with housing applications.

    Hours

    call to confirm

    Fees

    no fees

    Languages

    English and Spanish

    Service Area

    Only Providence

    Geography Served

      If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

    • Rhode Island
      • Providence County
        • Providence
    Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (FT-1020) and related services within the Service Tree.

    Special Notes/Funding

    Operated by the RI Community Food Bank. Funded by a grant issued by the USDA and distributed through the RI Division of Elderly Affairs.

    Description

    The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is the only USDA Nutrition program that provides a monthly package of healthy, nutritious food specifically for low income seniors. Food package includes: cereal, fruit juice, protein items, shelf stable milk, peanut butter, pasta, cheese, and canned fruits and vegetables

    Hours

    Varies

    Required Documents

    Photo ID, Proof of Income, Proof of Address

    Eligibility

    Ages 60+ and with income at or less than 130% of the Poverty Income Guidelines

    Fees

    No Fees

    Intake Procedure

    Complete application

    Service Area

    Statewide

    Geography Served

      If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

    • Rhode Island

      Telephone Numbers

      Number:
      401-454-7422
      Name:
      Main Phone
      Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BD-1800.1500) and related services within the Service Tree.

      Special Notes/Funding

      RI Community Food Bank member agency ***Expanded hours may be available due to COVID-19. Please call for information.

      Description

      Downtown Food Pantry located at 15 Hayes Street, in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church across from Providence Mall. Clients can access food pantry 2X a month; Clients can arrange for home delivery if disabled.

      Availability

      Handicapped Accessible

      Hours

      Mon 3:00pm-6:00pm, Tues 9:00am-1:00pm

      Required Documents

      Photo ID Proof of address a bill ie electric, rent bill, phone bill

      Eligibility

      Resident of Providence

      Fees

      No Fees

      Intake Procedure

      First time: meet with intake worker and show required documents.

      Languages

      Spanish

      Service Area

      Providence

      Geography Served

        If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

      • Rhode Island
        • Providence County
          • Providence

      Telephone Numbers

      Number:
      401-454-7422
      Name:
      Main Phone
      Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BD-1800.2000) and related services within the Service Tree.

      Description

      Meal Site located at 134 Matthewson Street, downtown Providence, in Matthewson Street Methodist Church. Offers programming nearly every week geared to guests including a free legal clinic monthly; health screenings; flu shots, and outreach by health care providers and SNAP

      Availability

      Not handicapped accessible

      Hours

      Fri: Doors open at 3:00PM, Meal served at 4:00PM-5:30PM

      Required Documents

      None

      Eligibility

      All are welcomed

      Fees

      No Fees

      Intake Procedure

      None

      Service Area

      Providence

      Geography Served

        If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

      • Rhode Island
        • Providence County
          • Providence

      Contact

      Name:
      Liz McGrath
      Title:
      Supervisor
      Description:
      Friday Night Meal Site Coordinator
      Phone:
      401-454-7422

      Telephone Numbers

      Number:
      401-454-7422
      Name:
      Main Phone
      Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BD-5000.8300) and related services within the Service Tree.

      Description

      Thanksgiving Meal 2018: No dinner provided

      Geography Served

      None

      Telephone Numbers

      Number:
      401-831-0480
      Type:
      Fax
      Name:
      Fax
      Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (PH-2950.8500-870) and related services within the Service Tree.

      Description

      Clothing distributed during meal on Friday at 4:00PM. Clothing closet held at 134 Mathewson Street.

      Hours

      Clothing Closet: Fri 4:00PM - 5:30PM

      Required Documents

      None

      Eligibility

      Providence Residents

      Fees

      No Fees

      Intake Procedure

      Walk-in

      Service Area

      Providence

      Geography Served

        If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.

      • Rhode Island
        • Providence County
          • Providence
      Edit Service DetailsClick here to see this service (BM-6500.1500) and related services within the Service Tree.

      Address Listings

      Mailing

      PO Box 5639
      Providence, RI 02903

      Physical (Primary)

      15 Hayes Street
      Providence, RI 02908

      Contacts

      George Gassett

      Supervisor

      Downtown Food Pantry Coordinator

      (401) 454-7422

      Liz McGrath

      Supervisor

      Friday Night Meal Site Coordinator

      (401) 454-7422

      Lorraine Burns

      Supervisor

      Olneyville Food Center Coordinator

      (401) 454-7422

      Phone Numbers

      Main Phone

      (401) 454-7422

      Fax

      (401) 831-0480

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