Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Paul Davis
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- Painting a grim economic future, the United Way of Rhode Island today launched a program to raise money to help those in danger of losing their homes at a news conference this morning.

Under the program, United Way will match contributions to a special fund for people struggling to pay rents, mortgages and utilities.

The agency will match up to $100,000 in donations through March 31.

"We can't stand by while we watch hardworking Rhode Islanders become homeless because they can't pay basic household expenses," said United Way President and CEO Anthony Maione.

Several years ago, the agency was winning the battle against homelessness, Maione said.

But today the state faces a $357 million deficit, high unemployment and a record number of foreclosures.

Calls to the agency are up sharply, he said. "We're seeing more calls from people who are working. Some of them start by saying, 'I used to contribute to the United Way. Now I need your help.' "

Maione was joined by Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, Noreen Shawcross, chief of the Office of Housing and Community Development, Eileen Hayes, president and CEO of Amos House, and Madeline Silva, a family advocate and housing support specialist for the Woonsocket-based Family Resources Community Action.

When a family is displaced, "it's an incredibly frightening experience," said Cicilline, who praised the program. "It destabilizes a community. We have a collective responsibility to respond to this crisis."

The announcement was made at the United Way of Rhode Island's headquarters, 50 Valley St., Providence.

 Tags  David Cicilline homeless Providence

Comments

joyce12 said:

Anyone who gives 10 cents to this campaign, instead of directly to an agency on the front lines in the fight against homelessness, will see most of their contribution go to administrative and other costs.

Link | January 12, 2009 9:37 AM
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ccbreeze7 said:

100% of all the money donated to the United Ways goes directly to the agencies. Royal Little before he passed away made sure that 100% of the funds go directly to the agencies. The administrative costs come out of a fund he set-up.

Link | January 12, 2009 4:56 PM
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Bill said:

Actually, Joyce, if you look at the FAQ regarding this particular fund on the United Way of Rhode Island website, "One hundred percent of the contributions made to the fund will be distributed directly to people who need assistance to meet rent, mortgage, and utility payments." See for yourself: http://www.uwri.org/give/fund-to-prevent-homelessness-in-ri.asp

Link | January 12, 2009 8:44 PM
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joyce12 said:

'You can fool all of the people some of the time and...',well,you know thw rest.

Link | January 15, 2009 4:10 PM
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